In a major crackdown on international cybercrime, the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has successfully convicted nine Chinese nationals involved in internet fraud and cyberterrorism.
On July 7, 2025, Justice D. E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi delivered the judgment, sentencing each of the nine individuals to one year in prison. In addition to the jail term, each convict was fined ₹1.46 crore which equals ₦1,000,000. This verdict marks a significant step in Nigeria’s fight against foreign-led cybercriminal syndicates.
The convicted individuals were part of the Eagle Flush Operation carried out in December 2024. A total of 792 suspects were linked to this operation. Charges were formally brought against the group in February 2025. According to the EFCC, the cyber activities of the group “destabilised and destroyed the economy and social structure of Nigeria.”
The nine convicts are Qin Xiao Yong, Luo Mao Yang, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi also known as Wan Jin Ping, Zhang Juan, Li de Wen, Fun Min, and Tan Ming. While they initially pleaded not guilty, they later changed their plea to guilty during a court session in June.
Apart from prison sentences and fines, the court also ordered the forfeiture of all items seized from them, including electronic gadgets such as phones, laptops, and routers used in carrying out the crimes. The Nigerian Immigration Service has been directed to deport the convicts back to China within seven days of the sentencing.
This ruling underlines the strength of the Cybercrime Act and shows how agencies like the EFCC are taking serious steps to combat international digital threats. With strict legal enforcement, asset seizure, and rapid deportation, Nigeria has sent a clear message that cybercrime will not go unpunished.
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