The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, arraigned 11 Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd., before Justice C.J. Aneke of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. The defendants include Liu Ke Fan, Huang Hai Tao, Zhang Kian Feng, Wua Wang, Xiao Xin, Wang Hong Lin, Wu Yong An (aka Zenga Niu), Chen Yuan (aka Xiao Doa), Chen Dong Dong (aka Cun Zhao), Weng Mao Rong (aka A Xiang), and Xiong Wei (aka Xiao Bai).

The suspects were apprehended during the EFCC’s “Eagle Flush Operation,” which targeted a syndicate involved in cryptocurrency investment and romance scams, with 792 suspects arrested in December 2024. The charges against the defendants include cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of fraudulent documents, and identity theft, among others.

One of the charges reads: “That you, LUI KE FAN (AKA LINA, LIU CHEN), HUANG HAI TAO, ZHANG JIAN FENG, WU A WANG, and XIAO XIN, sometime in December 2024, at Lagos, Nigeria, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems used for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria, thereby committing an offense contrary to the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Another count involves the alleged fraudulent impersonation of a 28-year-old woman, “Lina,” from the United States, in a romance scam designed to deceive victims for financial gain.

The defendants also face allegations of providing false information to EFCC officers during the investigation in order to mislead authorities, with one defendant, Wang Gong Lin, accused of misrepresenting his name during questioning.

All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution counsel, M.K. Bashir, requested trial dates and the remand of the suspects at the Ikoyi correctional center. Justice Aneke adjourned the case to February 21 and March 7, 2025, for further hearings and ordered the defendants to remain in custody.