The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned 11 Chinese nationals before the Federal High Court in Lagos on charges of cyber fraud, identity theft, and attempting to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure.
The accused individuals, who appeared in court on Tuesday, pleaded not guilty to the allegations. Their arraignment follows a similar case on Monday, where the anti-graft agency charged 42 Chinese and Filipino nationals for related offenses.
“Eagle Flush Operation” and Cyber Fraud Allegations
According to the EFCC, the defendants were apprehended during a December 19, 2024, sting operation dubbed “Eagle Flush Operation.” Prosecutors allege that the suspects recruited Nigerian youths for identity theft schemes and cyber fraud, posing as foreign nationals to perpetrate online scams.
The accused include Wang Xiong Wei (alias Xiao Bai), Chen Dong Dong (alias Cun Zhao), Chen Yuan (alias Xiao Doa), Wu Yuan An (alias Zeng Niu), Wang Gong Lin (alias Wang Jing Lin), and Weng Mao Rong (alias A Xiang). Five additional Chinese nationals—Liu Ke Fan (alias Lina, Lui Chen), Huang Hai Tao, Zhang Jian Feng, Wu A Wang, and Xiao Xin—were also charged.
One of the charges states that Liu Ke Fan allegedly impersonated a 28-year-old American named Lina in a cryptocurrency fraud and romance scam. Prosecutors claim that he used a fake profile and a Maya desktop computer to mislead victims and investigators.
Court Proceedings and Remand Order
Following their not-guilty plea, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending trial. The court adjourned the case to February 21 and March 7, 2025.
The EFCC insists that the accused violated Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and Section 39(2) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004.
This high-profile case highlights Nigeria’s ongoing crackdown on cybercrime, with the EFCC intensifying efforts to combat online fraud and identity theft involving foreign syndicates.
