Five Chinese Nationals Sentenced in Lagos for Cybercrime and Internet Fraud
On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction of five Chinese nationals involved in cyberterrorism and internet fraud. The judgment was delivered by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The convicted individuals—Guo Qiang (also known as Wu You You), Yang Shumei, Guo Zhi Yong, Zhang Gia Feng, and Lu Yi Liang—were part of a larger group of 792 suspects arrested during the EFCC’s December 19, 2024 sting operation dubbed Operation Eagle Flush. The operation targeted a syndicate accused of perpetrating cryptocurrency investment scams and romance fraud.
Each of the defendants faced individual charges related to cybercrime, including attempts to undermine Nigeria’s economic and social structures through digital channels.
One of the charges against Guo Qiang read:
“That you, Guo Qiang (aka Wu You You), sometime in December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully accessed a computer system with the intent to destabilize and damage the economic and social fabric of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).”
Initially, all five accused pleaded not guilty. However, they reversed their pleas during Tuesday’s hearing, admitting guilt to the charges.
Following the change of plea, EFCC prosecutor U.S. Kyari requested the court to enter a conviction in line with the offences charged. Justice Dipeolu agreed and sentenced each defendant to one year in prison. In addition, they were each fined N1,000,000 (One Million Naira).
As part of the sentencing terms, the court directed the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service to oversee their deportation to China within seven days of completing their jail terms.
The EFCC’s conviction of these foreign nationals underscores its ongoing efforts to clamp down on transnational cybercrime operations that threaten national stability.