July 7: Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, secured the convictions and sentences of 9 
nationals for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The convicts: Qin Xiao Yong, Luo Mao Yang, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi (a.k.a Wan Jin Ping), Zhang Juan, Li de Wen, Fun Min, Tan Ming.
They are among the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on Dec 19, 2024, in Lagos during a sting operation tagged 'Eagle Flush Operation' conducted by EFCC operatives.
The charge reads: “ That you, Qin Xiao Yong, Luo Mao Yang, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi (a.k.a Wan Jin Ping), Zhang Juan, Li de Wen, Fun Min, Tan Ming, sometime in December, 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: cause to be accessed computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.”
They initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charge preferred against them. However, they changed their “not guilty plea” to “guilty” on July 7.
All the defendants were sentenced to one year imprisonment, with a fine of N1,000,000.00 (one million naira).
The judge also directed the Comptroller General of Immigration to ensure that the convicts are repatriated to their country of origin within seven days.
The judge further ordered that the mobile phones, computers, laptop computers and routers seized from them at the time of arrest be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-
nationals for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The convicts: Qin Xiao Yong, Luo Mao Yang, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi (a.k.a Wan Jin Ping), Zhang Juan, Li de Wen, Fun Min, Tan Ming.
They are among the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on Dec 19, 2024, in Lagos during a sting operation tagged 'Eagle Flush Operation' conducted by EFCC operatives.
The charge reads: “ That you, Qin Xiao Yong, Luo Mao Yang, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi (a.k.a Wan Jin Ping), Zhang Juan, Li de Wen, Fun Min, Tan Ming, sometime in December, 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: cause to be accessed computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.”
They initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charge preferred against them. However, they changed their “not guilty plea” to “guilty” on July 7.
All the defendants were sentenced to one year imprisonment, with a fine of N1,000,000.00 (one million naira).
The judge also directed the Comptroller General of Immigration to ensure that the convicts are repatriated to their country of origin within seven days.
The judge further ordered that the mobile phones, computers, laptop computers and routers seized from them at the time of arrest be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-