EFCC arraigns 45 more Chinese, Filipino nationals for alleged cybercrimes

*Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigns a fresh set of 45 foreigners, comprising Chinese and Filipino nationals for cybercrimes before the Federal High Court, in Lagos

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

For allegedly engaging in several cybercriminal activities, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), again, has arraigned another set of 45 foreigners, comprising Chinese and Filipino nationals before the Federal High Court, in Lagos.

ConsumerConnect gathered the EFCC has arraigned the suspects on charges of cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence, identity theft, among others.

The anti-graft regulatory Commission separately arraigned the foreigners before four justices of the court: Justice Olayinka Faji, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, Justice Deinde Dipeolu, and Justice Alexander Owoeye.

Ten foreigners were arraigned before Justice Faji, 6 were arraigned before Justice Aneke and a total of 16 foreigners were arraigned before Justice Dipeolu, most of them Chinese nationals.

Whereas 13 Filipino Nationals were arraigned before Justice Alexander Owoeye, according to report.

Upon their arraignment in court, the defendants however, pleaded not guilty and the Justices ordered that they all be remanded at the correctional facilities, pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications.

On punishable offences by defendants 

In the charge sheet against the defendants, the foreigners were accused of secretly procuring and employing several Nigerian youths for identity theft and other computer-related fraud in the country.

The offences are punishable under Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

Some of the defendants who were arraigned before the courts are Cherry De Leon (A.K.A Yesh De Leon), Khurram Shanzad, Fernad Fu Fang (A.K.A Kim), Tan Soon Kar, Rex Jose Dilag (A.K.A Madison), Jamal Polea, Jamilyn Jaynee Gonzalez (A.K.A Jam Galanza) and Hannah Jaramillo (A.K.A Max De Leon).

Others Lin Haobo, An Hongxu (a.k.a Ruike), Shitou Shizilong, Pan Jiong, Zhow Kunji, Huang Xiao Liang (a.k.a Liu Xiao Liang), Peng Sen Lin (a.k.a Peng Song Lin, Pen Sen Ling, Dong Fang Hong, Huang Ren Jan, Shi Yang Xiong, Lu Yi Liang, Guo Giang (a.k.a Lisa), Wen Zong Xu, Pan Cai Yu, and Guo Zhi Yong.

Other defendants are Danica Manulit (A.K.A. Dan Ruiz), Vera Dela Cris (A.K.A. Nina Vera Gonzal), Joey Gracia, Beverlyn Gumayo Casino (A.K.A. Sumayo), and Tricia Jenylyn Castro (Alias T. J. Castro).

Trial in the cases have been adjourned to various dates in February and March with the earliest trial expected to commence February 7, 2025.

It is recalled that the defendants were among a group of suspected fraudsters the EFCC earlier arrested December 10, 2024, at their hideout on No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, following credible intelligence gathered by the EFCC.

The Commission reportedly told the court that the defendants, willfully caused to be accessed computer systems organised to seriously destabilise the economic structure of Nigeria (which prohibits and prevents cyber and related crimes) when they procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves (Nigerians) out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantage for themselves.

The EFCC also informed the court that sometime in December last year, in Lagos, the defendants willfully gave false information to officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the course of investigation, when they were being questioned for being part of a criminal syndicate group, specialised in romance scam, cryptocurrency fraud, cyber terrorism amongst others.

According to EFCC, the offence committed is contrary to Section 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended,2024), 39(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 39(2) (b) of the same Act.