The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday sentenced eight Chinese nationals to prison for their involvement in cyberterrorism and internet-related fraud, following their conviction by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Presiding over the case, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke handed down the verdict after the defendants pleaded guilty to charges brought against them by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC.
The convicted individuals — Pan Cai Qi, Zeng Xian Tao, Weng Mao Rong, Wang Xiong Wei (aka Xiao Bai), Shi Dong Fu, Wang Shi Long, Liu Ke Fan, and Ting Liao — were among 792 suspects arrested during a December 19, 2024 sting operation by the EFCC, code-named “Eagle Flush.”
The large-scale operation targeted an international syndicate involved in cryptocurrency investment scams and online romance frauds, which authorities say defrauded victims across multiple jurisdictions and posed a threat to national cybersecurity.
According to EFCC spokespersons, forensic analysis of devices recovered during the raid revealed strong links to large-scale phishing attacks, fake digital asset platforms, and covert data harvesting from high-value individuals and organizations.
While sentencing the convicts, Justice Aneke noted the seriousness of their offences, especially in light of growing concerns around digital financial crimes and their implications on Nigeria’s economic and national security.
The EFCC has described the convictions as a major milestone in its sustained effort to combat transnational cybercrime networks, noting that prosecutions of other suspects arrested in the same operation are ongoing.
More details on the sentencing terms and plea agreements are expected to be released by the Commission in due course.