Facebook Twitter LinkedIn RSS
    Trending
    • Gartner recognizes Sophos as 2025 leader for endpoint protection platforms
    • TIM AKANO FOUNDATION Awards Scholarships to 100 OAU Students and 22 Undergraduates from Oluponna and Surrounding Areas
    • Sustaining Innovation in Africa’s Tech Startup Ecosystem – Bidemi Oke, CEO of FlashChange
    • Data is the new oil: Africa Data Centres Executive on digital transformation
    • Nigeria’s economy sees boost in Q1 2025, driven by surging ICT sector
    • Verve revolutionizes African payments with contactless tech
    • Palmpay is among 300 top fintech companies globally – CNBC
    • NITDA’s Hadiza honoured among Nigeria’s Top 50 PR professionals
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
    ITPulse.com.ngITPulse.com.ng
    • News
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Analysis
    • Opinion
    • Videos
    • Press Releases
    • Pictures
    • Advertise
    ITPulse.com.ngITPulse.com.ng
    Home»News»Nine Chinese nationals sentenced to prison in Nigeria for crypto fraud and cyber terrorism
    News 2 Mins Read

    Nine Chinese nationals sentenced to prison in Nigeria for crypto fraud and cyber terrorism

    mmBy ITPulseJune 11, 2025210 Views
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest LinkedIn Reddit Tumblr Email
    Court
    Court
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    By Martin Ekpeke

    A Federal High Court in Lagos has handed down one-year prison sentences to nine Chinese nationals after they pleaded guilty to charges of cryptocurrency fraud and cyber terrorism. The conviction, delivered yesterday marks a significant victory for Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime and financial fraud.

    The nine individuals – Li Dong, Deng Wei Qiang, Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Zhao Xiao Hui, Lui Hai Rong, Lui Gang, and Du Ji Feng – were among 792 suspects apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in December 2024. This massive operation, dubbed “Eagle Flush,” was the agency’s largest-ever raid targeting cryptocurrency investment fraud and online romance scams.

    Initially, the defendants had pleaded “not guilty” during their arraignment in February 2025 by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC. However, in the recent court proceedings, they changed their plea to “guilty.”

    The charge against them detailed a conspiracy to “cause to be accessed a computer system used for destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria,” an offense contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.

    Following their guilty plea, EFCC prosecution counsel Nnaemeka Omewa requested their conviction and sentencing. The defence counsel did not object, and Justice D.E. Osiagor subsequently ruled that each defendant would serve one year in prison, with the sentence backdated to their arrest on December 10, 2024. Additionally, each convict was fined N1 million.

    Beyond the prison sentences, the court has ordered the Comptroller General of Immigration to ensure the repatriation of the nine Chinese nationals to China within seven days of completing their terms. They have also forfeited all seized items, including mobile phones, computers, laptops, and routers, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    This successful conviction of foreign nationals underscores Nigeria’s firm stance against cybercrime, sending a strong message regarding its commitment to combating financial fraud, particularly within the burgeoning cryptocurrency and online scam sectors. The “Eagle Flush Operation” in December 2024, which led to these arrests, involved 148 Chinese, 40 Filipinos, two Kharzartans, one Pakistani, one Indonesian, and numerous Nigerian suspects, highlighting the transnational nature of these criminal activities.

    chinese nationals crypto fraud cyber terrorism
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Telegram Email
    mm
    ITPulse
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn

    ITPulse is a wholly information technology communication (ICT) news website, with a special focus on the African continent. The website provides up-to-date biz-tech news, analysis and comprehensive and thorough insight into the continent's ICT terrain

    Related Posts

    Nigeria’s economy sees boost in Q1 2025, driven by surging ICT sector

    July 22, 2025

    Verve revolutionizes African payments with contactless tech

    July 22, 2025

    Palmpay is among 300 top fintech companies globally – CNBC

    July 22, 2025

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    Latest Posts

    Gartner recognizes Sophos as 2025 leader for endpoint protection platforms

    July 22, 2025

    TIM AKANO FOUNDATION Awards Scholarships to 100 OAU Students and 22 Undergraduates from Oluponna and Surrounding Areas

    July 22, 2025

    Sustaining Innovation in Africa’s Tech Startup Ecosystem – Bidemi Oke, CEO of FlashChange

    July 22, 2025
    About
    About

    Itpulse.com.ng is a wholly information technology communication (ICT) news website, with special focus on the African continent. The website provides up-to-date biz-tech news, analysis and a comprehensive and thorough insight info the continent's ICT terrain.

    Contact us: editorial@itpulse.com.ng

    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn RSS
    Latest Posts

    Gartner recognizes Sophos as 2025 leader for endpoint protection platforms

    July 22, 2025

    TIM AKANO FOUNDATION Awards Scholarships to 100 OAU Students and 22 Undergraduates from Oluponna and Surrounding Areas

    July 22, 2025

    Sustaining Innovation in Africa’s Tech Startup Ecosystem – Bidemi Oke, CEO of FlashChange

    July 22, 2025
    Popular Posts

    Data is the new oil: Africa Data Centres Executive on digital transformation

    July 22, 2025

    Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan: A PR powerhouse redefining strategic communication in Africa

    July 21, 2025

    GEFAS unveils new office to deepen digital engagement for Anambra people

    July 19, 2025
    © 2017 - 2025 Itpulse. Designed by Max Excellence.
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.