Latest news with #EconomicandFinancialCrimesCommission
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
PH to provide legal assistance to 11 Pinoys jailed in Nigeria
The Philippine government will assist the 11 Filipinos who were jailed in Nigeria for alleged "cyber-terrorism and internet fraud," Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Sunday. 'Our Embassy is working on the case. They will be provided legal assistance,' De Vega told GMA News Online. On Saturday, the Agence France Presse reported the Filipinos were among 15 foreigners who were arrested, which include two Chinese, one Malaysian and one Indonesian. They were each sentenced to one year in prison by a Lagos court and fined one million naira (about $630) after they pleaded guilty, said Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman Dele Oyewale. They were accused of recruiting young Nigerians for "identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality." The Philippines has an embassy in Abuja, Nigeria and a consulate in Lagos. —RF, GMA Integrated News
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.
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Nigeria jails a Malaysian, an Indonesian, two Chinese and 11 Filipinos for internet scams
LAGOS: A Nigerian court jailed 15 foreign nationals Friday (May 30) — including a Malaysian — for 'cyber-terrorism and internet fraud,' the national anti-graft agency said, one of the largest such cases in the country. Eleven Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian and one Indonesian were sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of one million naira (about US$630) each in the commercial capital, Lagos, after pleading guilty, said Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman Dele Oyewale. They were accused of recruiting young Nigerians for 'identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality.' 'The judges also ordered that the devices recovered from the convicts be forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria,' Oyewale said. Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is saddled with a reputation for internet fraudsters known in local slang as 'Yahoo Boys.' The EFCC has busted several hideouts where young criminals learn their scams. Cybercrime experts also warn that foreign 'cybercrime syndicates' have set up shop in the country to exploit its weak cybersecurity systems. The EFCC said foreign gangs recruited Nigerian accomplices to find victims online through phishing scams, in which attackers typically try to deceive victims into transferring them money or revealing sensitive information such as passwords. The scams target mostly Americans, Canadians, Mexicans and Europeans, the agency said. In December, the EFCC arrested 792 suspects in a single operation in the affluent Victoria Island area of Lagos. At least 192 of the suspects were foreign nationals — 148 of them Chinese, the agency said. Dozens of other Chinese suspects are also standing trial for similar crimes. - AFP
GMA Network
3 days ago
- GMA Network
11 Filipinos, 4 others jailed in Nigeria for internet scams
LAGOS, Nigeria — A Nigerian court jailed 15 foreign nationals Friday—all Asians—for "cyber-terrorism and internet fraud," the national anti-graft agency said, one of the largest such cases in the country. Eleven Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian and one Indonesian were sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of one million naira (about $630) each in the commercial capital, Lagos, after pleading guilty, said Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman Dele Oyewale. They were accused of recruiting young Nigerians for "identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality." "The judges also ordered that the devices recovered from the convicts be forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria," Oyewale said. Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is saddled with a reputation for internet fraudsters known in local slang as "Yahoo Boys." The EFCC has busted several hideouts where young criminals learn their scams. Cybercrime experts also warn that foreign "cybercrime syndicates" have set up shop in the country to exploit its weak cybersecurity systems. The EFCC said foreign gangs recruited Nigerian accomplices to find victims online through phishing scams, in which attackers typically try to deceive victims into transferring them money or revealing sensitive information such as passwords. The scams target mostly Americans, Canadians, Mexicans and Europeans, the agency said. In December, the EFCC arrested 792 suspects in a single operation in the affluent Victoria Island area of Lagos. At least 192 of the suspects were foreign nationals—148 of them Chinese, the agency said. Dozens of other Chinese suspects are also standing trial for similar crimes. — Agence France Presse
Business Insider
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Chinese illegal miners face deportation in Nigeria, to lose ₦134 million
A Nigerian court has ordered the deportation of four Chinese nationals over their involvement in illegal mining of precious minerals in Plateau State. A Nigerian court ordered the deportation of four Chinese nationals for illegal mining activities in Plateau State. The individuals were convicted for unlawful possession and purchase of mineral resources. The court mandated the forfeiture of all proceeds from the illegal activities, including funds and minerals. Chinese illegal miners Liang Quin Yong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong have been ordered to be deported by the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, following their conviction for unlawfully mining solid minerals in the region. The convicted Chinese nationals were arrested by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for engaging in unlawful mining activities. According to the EFCC statement, the defendants were arrested on March 9, 2025 at JLM Mining company site following credible intelligence on activities of some Chinese suspected to be involved in illegal mining activities in Jos, Plateau State. Justice Agishi found them guilty of the illegal purchase and possession of mineral resources. Each was sentenced to five years imprisonment or a fine of ₦1 million. In addition, they were deported and permanently banned from re-entering Nigeria. The court also ordered the forfeiture of all proceeds from the illegal activity to the federal government, including ₦134.87 million recovered from Liang Quin Yong. Justice Agishi also ordered the forfeiture of all mineral resources recovered during the investigation, along with an administrative fine of ₦16.3 million. The fine was imposed for the defendants' failure to report a financial transaction within seven days, as required under Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, to the EFCC's Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML). Plateau mineral deposits Plateau State is endowed with a rich variety of mineral resources that contribute significantly to Nigeria's mining sector. The most historically significant of these is tin, alongside columbite, an ore of niobium, has also been a major mineral extracted from the region, with the state hosting the world's largest known deposits. Smaller but economically important quantities of other minerals such as tantalite, wolfram (tungsten), kaolin, zircon, and uranium are also found across Plateau. In the eastern and central parts of the state, lead and iron ore have been identified, while coking coal deposits are located in the Lafia area. Additionally, gold and silver deposits have been discovered near the town of Shendam, further underscoring the state's vast mineral potential. Illegal mining in Plateau Over the years, Plateau State's rich mineral resources have been exploited by illegal miners, many of whom operate without licenses, disregarding laws, local communities, and the environment. Illegal mining has become a pressing concern, not only damaging the environment but also fueling insecurity and tensions in local communities. It has also attracted foreign actors, some of whom have been implicated in illicit operations.
