Four Chinese nationals have been charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos for their alleged involvement in cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and cryptocurrency scams. The suspects, Xia Guang Can, Li Xu Xin, Zhang Xue Hui, and Lu Yubo, appeared before Justices M. Kakaki and Ayokunle Faji at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Tuesday.
This legal action follows the EFCC’s extensive “Eagle Flush Operation” conducted in December 2024, which resulted in the arrest of 792 individuals linked to various fraudulent activities. This operation is recognized as the largest single-day raid in the agency’s history.
The charges against the four men are serious. They include identity theft and accessing computer systems with the intent to destabilize Nigeria’s economy. Specifically, Zhang Xue Hui is accused of using a computer system to harm Nigeria’s economic stability, an offense under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act of 2015.
Lu Yubo faces additional charges for allegedly recruiting Nigerian youths into fraudulent schemes disguised as legitimate employment through a company called Genting International Co. Limited.
During their arraignment, all four defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. The prosecution requested that they be held in custody while awaiting trial dates. Defense attorneys asked for a short adjournment to file bail applications.
Justice Kakaki set Zhang Xue Hui’s trial for March 18, 2025, while Justice Faji scheduled Lu Yubo’s trial for March 31 and April 3, 2025. Until their trials begin, all four suspects will remain at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
The arrests stem from a significant operation carried out by the EFCC on December 10, 2024. Acting on credible intelligence, EFCC operatives raided a seven-story building on Oyin Jolayemi Street in Victoria Island. The building was found to contain high-end computers and over 500 SIM cards that were allegedly used for fraudulent activities.
The operation led to the arrest of not only Chinese nationals but also individuals from other countries, including the Philippines and Kazakhstan. The EFCC revealed that foreign members of the syndicate trained their Nigerian counterparts in executing scams while using their identities as cover.
This case highlights the increasing challenge of cybercrime in Nigeria and underscores the need for ongoing vigilance against such threats. The EFCC has been intensifying its efforts to combat fraudsters exploiting digital platforms for illegal activities.
