EFCC arraigns 11 Chinese, Filipino on internet fraud charges

Some suspected internet fraudsters, including 11 Chinese nationals and one Filipino, have been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos.

A company known as Genting International Co. Ltd was arraigned alongside the suspected internet fraudsters before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Operatives of the anti-graft agency arrested the suspects on December 19 for alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance scams.
The suspects are identified as Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xian Hong Will, Zhang Xiao Lei, Long Zhao Ming, Guo Xiao Fei, Yang Sheng, Wang Zheng Feng, Chen Wenyuan, Liu San Hua, Luo Jia You, and Rheign Dela Vega.

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According to the EFCC, they were arraigned on separate charges. These charges border on allegations of possession of documents containing false pretenses, cyber-terrorism, and identity theft.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The EFCC’s prosecution counsel, comprising L.P. Aso, M. K. Bashir, T. J. Banjo, N. K. Ukoha, and B. Buhari-Bala, pleaded with the judge to schedule trial dates for them and demanded their remand in correctional facilities.

The presiding judge, Justice Dipeolu, adjourned the hearing till February 7, 14, and 21.

He also ordered their remand at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.