The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday secured the conviction and sentence of eight Chinese for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting, Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the agency in a statement issued Friday said the suspects are: 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.
It noted that they were among the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 19, 2024 in Lagos during a sting operation tagged ‘Eagle Flush Operation’ conducted by EFCC operatives.
The agency added that they were arraigned on separate charges bordering on cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
They initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against them.
However, during Friday’s sitting, they all changed their “not guilty plea” to “guilty.”
In view of this, prosecution counsel, M.K Bashir, prayed the court to convict them accordingly.
Justice Aneke convicted and sentenced all the defendants to one year imprisonment, with a fine of N1 million.
The Judge also ordered that upon completion of their sentences, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) should ensure that they are repatriated to their country of origin within seven days.
Justice Aneke ordered the forfeiture of the items recovered from them to the federal government of Nigeria.