15 Foreign Cybercriminals Jailed in Lagos for Internet Fraud and Cyber-Terrorism
In a significant victory against international cybercrime, 15 foreign nationals—including 11 Filipinos, 2 Chinese, 1 Malaysian, and 1 Indonesian—have been sentenced to one year in prison each for their involvement in a cyber-terrorism and internet fraud ring that targeted Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
The ruling was delivered on Friday, May 30, 2025, by Justices Yellim Bogoro and A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, following charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
15 Foreign Cybercriminals Jailed in Lagos for Internet Fraud and Cyber-Terrorism
Global Syndicate Exploited Nigerian Youths in Massive Cyber Fraud
The convicts—working under the company name Genting International Co. Ltd—were found guilty of operating a high-level cyber-terrorism scheme. Court documents revealed that they willfully accessed Nigerian computer systems and orchestrated a plot to destabilize the country’s economic and social fabric by recruiting Nigerian youths to impersonate foreigners in global identity theft operations.
“You employed Nigerian youths to commit identity theft, holding themselves out as foreign nationals for financial gain,” read one of the counts against Winnie De Jesus and associates.
Among the convicted were:
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Winnie De Jesus, Kayceelynn Remorin, Irish Chna, Darwisa Esmael, Kimberly Nisperos, Savien Cire Renovilla, Zeng Zerong, Guo Bin, Jessa Sanchi, Jhena Sarmiento, Rain Torida, Rex Jose Dilag (aka Madison), Tan Soon Kar, Fernando Fu Fang, and Beverlyin Gumayo (aka Veb Sumayo).
They were all charged with possession of fraudulent documents, and each one pleaded guilty to the offenses.
15 Foreign Cybercriminals Jailed in Lagos for Internet Fraud and Cyber-Terrorism
Swift Sentencing and Strong Sanctions
EFCC prosecution lawyers N.K. Ukoha, T.J. Banjo, and N.C. Mutfwang requested immediate convictions following the guilty pleas. The court obliged, sentencing each defendant to one year in prison and imposing a fine of ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira).
Additionally, the Judges ordered:
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Immediate repatriation of the convicts within seven days of completing their prison terms, as enforced by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
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Forfeiture of all digital devices recovered during the investigation to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
15 Foreign Cybercriminals Jailed in Lagos for Internet Fraud and Cyber-Terrorism
Nigeria Sends Strong Message to International Cybercrime Networks
This landmark judgment highlights Nigeria’s strengthened cybercrime legislation—specifically the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (Amended 2024) and the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022. It also reflects the EFCC’s growing capability to trace, apprehend, and prosecute international syndicates exploiting local vulnerabilities.
As cybercrime continues to evolve, Nigeria is clearly demonstrating that it won’t be a safe haven or easy target for global digital criminals.
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