15 convicted foreigners recruited youths for cyber-terrorism in Lagos – Says EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed how 15 convicted foreign nationals recruited some youths in Lagos for internet fraud and cyber-terrorism.
The EFCC provided insight at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday during the arraignment of foreigners on separate charges related to possession of fraudulent documents and cybercrimes.
The suspects included 11 Filipinos: Winnie De Jesus, Kayceelynn Remorin, Irish Chna, Darwisa Esmael, Kimberly Nisperos, Savien Cire Renovilla, Jessa Sanchi, Jhena Sarmiento, Rain Torida, Rex Jose Dilag (aka Madison), and Beverlyin Gumayo (aka Veb Sumayo), as well as two Chinese nationals, Zeng Zerong and Guo Bin, one Malaysian, Tan Soon Kar, and one Indonesian, Fernando Fu Fang.
The EFCC told the court that the offences were committed in Lagos State, sometime in December 2024.
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According to the anti-graft agency, De Jesus and a corporate entity, Genting International Co. Ltd, allegedly willfully accessed computer systems intended to destabilise and destroy Nigeria’s economic and social structure.
The commission alleged that De Jesus procured Nigerian youths to engage in identity theft, instructing them to pose as foreigners with the intent to secure financial gain.
Similarly, Remorin, in collaboration with Genting International Co. Ltd, was accused of engaging in a similar scheme.
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She reportedly facilitated the use of Nigerian youths for identity theft and misrepresentation, with the objective of financial exploitation.
The court also heard that Remorin, in a separate act, impersonated one ‘Anastacia Lim’ to fraudulently gain financial advantage for her employer.
EFCC stated that the offences committed contravened Sections 18, 22(2)(b), and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.
All the convicts pleaded guilty to the charges against them.
Following their pleas, the prosecution counsel, N.K. Ukoha, T.J. Banjo, and N.C. Mutfwang urged the court to convict them in line with the plea bargains they entered into with the Commission.
Justice Bogoro and Justice Owoeye convicted the accused persons and sentenced each of them to one year imprisonment, with an option of a N1m fine.
The judges also directed the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service to deport the convicts to their respective countries within seven days of completing their sentences.
Additionally, all devices recovered from the convicts were ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
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