EFCC Arraigns Four Chinese Nationals Over Alleged Cyber Fraud and Identity Theft in Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, arraigned four Chinese nationals before Justices M. Kakaki and Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendants—Xia Guang Can, Li Xu Xin, Zhang Xue Hui, and Lu Yubo—are part of a 792-member syndicate suspected of cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud. The group was arrested during a surprise operation conducted by the EFCC on December 10, 2024, codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation.”
Xia Guang Can, Li Xu Xin, and Zhang Xue Hui were arraigned on separate single charges before Justice Kakaki, while Lu Yubo faced a two-count charge before Justice Faji. The charges include internet fraud, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretenses, advance fee fraud, and identity theft.
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One of the charges against Zhang Xue Hui reads:
“That you, ZHANG XUE HUI, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, caused to be accessed a computer system used for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015.”
A charge against Lu Yubo stated:
“That you, Lu Yubo, and Genting International Co. Limited, adult, on or about December 11, 2024, at No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, willfully caused to be accessed a computer system organized to seriously destabilize the economic and social structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by procuring and employing several Nigerian youths for identity theft and other computer-related fraud, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, Etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015 (as amended).”
All four defendants pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. Following their pleas, EFCC prosecution counsel Fanen Anum and Ahmed Yerima requested trial dates and sought an order for the defendants to be remanded at a Correctional Centre. Defense counsel prayed for a short adjournment to file bail applications.
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Justice Kakaki adjourned the trial of Xia Guang Can, Li Xu Xin, and Zhang Xue Hui to March 18, 2025, and ordered their remand at a Correctional Centre. Justice Faji adjourned Lu Yubo’s trial to March 31 and April 3, 2025, and ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
The EFCC emphasized its commitment to ensuring justice in cases of cyber fraud and identity theft, highlighting the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s economic and social structures from cybercrime activities.