15 foreign nationals, including 11 Filipinos, jailed in Nigeria for cybercrime
A Nigerian court has sentenced 15 foreign nationals—all of Asian origin—to one year in prison and fined them one million naira (approximately $630) each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud, according to the country's anti-corruption agency.
The convicted group includes 11 Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian. They pleaded guilty before the court in Lagos and were accused of recruiting young Nigerians to commit identity theft and pose as foreigners online, said Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court also ordered the forfeiture of devices seized from the offenders to the Nigerian federal government.
Nigeria has long battled a reputation for online scams perpetrated by so-called 'Yahoo Boys.' But recent developments point to a growing presence of international cybercrime syndicates taking advantage of the country's weak digital security infrastructure.
According to the EFCC, these foreign-led networks enlist Nigerian accomplices to run phishing scams targeting victims—mostly in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe—seeking to steal money or sensitive personal data.
In a major operation last December, the EFCC arrested 792 suspects in Lagos's Victoria Island, including 192 foreign nationals—148 of whom were Chinese. Several of these individuals are currently on trial for related offenses.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Filipino Times
15 foreign nationals, including 11 Filipinos, jailed in Nigeria for cybercrime
A Nigerian court has sentenced 15 foreign nationals—all of Asian origin—to one year in prison and fined them one million naira (approximately $630) each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud, according to the country's anti-corruption agency. The convicted group includes 11 Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian. They pleaded guilty before the court in Lagos and were accused of recruiting young Nigerians to commit identity theft and pose as foreigners online, said Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court also ordered the forfeiture of devices seized from the offenders to the Nigerian federal government. Nigeria has long battled a reputation for online scams perpetrated by so-called 'Yahoo Boys.' But recent developments point to a growing presence of international cybercrime syndicates taking advantage of the country's weak digital security infrastructure. According to the EFCC, these foreign-led networks enlist Nigerian accomplices to run phishing scams targeting victims—mostly in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe—seeking to steal money or sensitive personal data. In a major operation last December, the EFCC arrested 792 suspects in Lagos's Victoria Island, including 192 foreign nationals—148 of whom were Chinese. Several of these individuals are currently on trial for related offenses.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Zawya
Nigeria: No budgetary provision made for $6bln Mambilla power project — EFCC witness tells Court
The third prosecution witness (PW3) in the trial of a former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr Olu Agunloye, for alleged infractions in the award of contract for Mambilla Hydropower Station in Taraba State before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Wednessday told the court that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) discovered in the course of investigation that no budgetary allocation was made for the project. Agunloye is standing trial on an amended seven-count charge bordering on forgery, disobeying presidential directive and gratification brought against him by EFCC, on behalf of the Federal Government, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, sitting at Apo, Abuja. In the charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/617/2023, EFCC alleged that Agunloye awarded contract for the Mambilla project in May 22, 2003 to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) without any budgetary provision, approval and cash backing. The commission also, among others, alleged that the former minister received the total sum of N5.212million from SPTCL and Leno Adesanya, through Jide Abiodun Sotirin through Agunloye's Guaranty Trust Bank account, for conveying the Federal Government's approval for the construction of the Mambilla power project in favour of SPTCL while serving as minister. The former minister, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. At the resumed hearing of the case today, the PW3, Umar Babangida, an Assistant Commissioner of Police on secondment to EFCC from the Nigeria Police Force, told the court that the commission discovered from the Ministry of Power and Steel's response to an investigative activity letter written to it a letter dated May 22, 2003 from the ministry signed by Agunloye to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited. According to him, the letter conveyed the Federal Government's approval for the construction of the Mambilla project at the cost of $6billion on a built, operate and transfer basis and also stating that N6billion was set aside for the take-off of the project. He informed that in compliance with the directive to indicate acceptance within seven days as contained in the said letter, Sunrise Power accepted the offer through a letter dated May 26, 2003. Babangida, led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Abba Mohammed SAN, told the court that the approval letter sent to Sunrise Power was issued 24 hours after the then-minister was directed to withdraw his memo for the award of the contract at the Federal Executive Council held on May 21, 2003 presided by the President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He added that investigators also discovered from the ministry's response another letter, dated September 3, 2003, from Senator Liyel Imoke, who was then the Minister of Power and Steel, addressed to Sunrise Power. 'The letter informed the company that the Federal Government at the Federal Executive Council meeting did not approve the award of the contract to Sunrise Power as recommended by the former Minister of Power and Steel, Dr Olu Agunloye. 'The letter further advised Sunrise Power to participate in the bid process along with other investors when it is advertised,' the PW3 told the court. He said that based on the assertion in the letter dated May 22, 2003 that N6billion was set aside for the take off of the project, EFCC wrote to the Ministry of Power and Steel to provide the commission, among others information, evidence of budgetary allocation for the Mambilla project. According to him, in its response, the ministry stated that there was no budgetary allocation for the project 'because it was awarded on built, operate and transfer basis'. Justice Onwugbuezie later adjourned the matter to June 16 and 18 for continuation of the hearing.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Zawya
Nigeria: $17.1mln was delivered in cash to Emefiele through his aide — Witness
A witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday alleged that $17.1 million was delivered in cash to the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele through one of his close aides over a three-year span. Testifying before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos Special Offences Court, an investigator with the EFCC, Assistant Commandant Alvan Gurumnaan, said the funds were handed over to Mr Monday Osazuwa, who delivered the said sum to Emefiele at his Ikoyi, Lagos residence. Gurumnaan further disclosed that the money was received in batches between September 2020 and June 2023 from a businessman at a Victoria Island address. He added that part of the cash was also delivered to Emefiele's co-defendant, Henry Omoile, on the former governor's instruction. 'The total money given was $17,100,000. Mr Osazuwa collected these sums in various tranches and delivered them to Mr Godwin Emefiele,' Gurumnaan stated. According to the investigator, the discovery emerged during a sweeping investigation into alleged procurement fraud and abuse of office under Emefiele's leadership at the apex bank. The EFCC probe, launched after receiving intelligence, involved document requests and interviews with key CBN departments such as Financial Markets, Legal, Currency Operations, Banking Supervision, Human Resources, and Trade and Exchange. Gurumnaan also mentioned Eric Odoh, Emefiele's former personal assistant, as a significant figure in the investigation. However, efforts to interrogate him have so far failed, he added. 'He absconded and was traced to the UK, Canada, and other countries, but we have not been able to locate him,' he said. Another witness, Mr John Adetola, who served as Emefiele's executive assistant, told the court he once received $400,000 on behalf of the ex-CBN boss in 2018 from one Mr John Ayoh, following WhatsApp instructions from Odoh. During cross-examination by defence counsel Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Adetola admitted there were no documents or saved messages to support the claim. He also confirmed that he was neither under prosecution nor promised immunity in exchange for his cooperation. Adetola further revealed he spent 11 days in EFCC custody but was never confronted with either Emefiele or Ayoh. Emefiele and Omoile are facing a 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office and fraudulent transactions amounting to $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion. The case was adjourned to October 7, 8, and 9, 2025, for continuation of trial. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
