Sixteen individuals were arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Daniel Osiagor on charges of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud, allegedly aimed at destabilizing the Nigerian economy.
According to the charge sheets, the defendants, including Hu Hui (a.k.a A Bin), Liao Ri Xing (a.k.a. Li Jun), Li Qiang (a.k.a. Yang Huan Huan), and others, were among 792 suspects arrested during a sting operation codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation” conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 10, 2024, in Lagos.
The suspects were allegedly involved in a cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud scheme, which authorities claim defrauded unsuspecting victims and posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s financial system. The trial is expected to unveil more details about their operations and networks.
The suspects were arraigned on separate charges, bordering on cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence, and identity theft.
Prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, told the court that, “Li Qiang (A.K.A Yang Huan Huan) and Genting International Co. Ltd Sometime in December 2024 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court cause to be accessed computer system used for destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.
“The anti-graft agency also accused Li Qiang (A.K.A Yang Hủan Hủan) that sometime in December 2024 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud had in your possession document containing false pretense to wit: fraudulent chats format; wherein you represented yourself to online victims to be a female model and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 6, 8 (b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Free Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No.14 of 2006.”