Five Chinese Nationals Jailed in Lagos for Cyberterrorism, Internet Fraud

T The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of five Chinese nationals for cyberterrorism and internet fraud.

The judgment was delivered on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The convicted individuals — Guo Qiang (aka Wu You You), Yang Shumei, Guo Zhi Yong, Zhang Gia Feng, and Lu Yi Liang — were among a syndicate of 792 suspects arrested during a sting operation code-named “Eagle Flush Operation” on December 19, 2024, in Lagos. The EFCC had accused the group of engaging in cryptocurrency investment scams and romance fraud targeting Nigerian citizens.

The defendants were arraigned on separate charges bordering on cyberterrorism and internet fraud. One of the charges against Guo Qiang read: “That you, Guo Qiang (aka Wu You You), sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, wilfully caused to be accessed computer system for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”

Although the defendants initially pleaded not guilty, they changed their plea to guilty during Tuesday’s proceedings.

Following the change of plea, the prosecution counsel, U.S. Kyari, urged the court to convict them as charged. Justice Dipeolu sentenced all five to one year in prison and imposed a fine of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) on each.

Additionally, the judge directed that after serving their jail terms, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) must ensure their deportation to their home country within seven days.