EFCC Busts International Cybercrime Syndicate in Lagos: Court Convicts 12 for Cyber-Terrorism and Fraud

In a landmark ruling that underscores Nigeria’s escalating battle against cybercrime, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted four Filipino nationals and eight Nigerians for their involvement in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. Each convict received a one-year prison sentence, marking one of the most high-profile crackdowns by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in recent years.

Presiding over the case, Justice Yellim Bogoro handed down the sentences on Friday, also imposing a ₦1,000,000 fine on each of the four Filipinos, with varying fines for the Nigerian convicts ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦700,000.

The convicts were arrested during “Eagle Flush Operation,” a surprise sting carried out by the EFCC in December 2024. The operation targeted a seven-storey cybercrime hub known as the Big Leaf Building on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The bust led to the arrest of 792 suspects, with these 12 identified as key players in the international fraud network.

International Cyber Ring Exposed

The four Filipinos—Reyna Mae Eriba, Chyna Samonte, Zara Fabian, and Dominique Medina—were found guilty of procuring Nigerian youth for online identity theft and impersonation, a calculated attempt to destabilize the nation’s socio-economic fabric. The court cited violations under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015 (Amended 2024) and the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act 2022.

One notable charge read:

“You, Chynna Samonte, did willfully gain access to systems with the aim of recruiting Nigerian youths to commit identity theft and fraud, posing as foreign nationals to gain financial advantage.”

In another case, Nigerian national Chidera Ezechukwu Praise was found to have retained ₦12.75 million in fraudulent proceeds in his bank account from an online dating scam, violating the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

Assets Forfeited, Deportation Ordered

Following their convictions, all recovered assets—including cars, cash, and electronic devices—were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Furthermore, the court directed the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service to repatriate the four Filipino convicts within seven days of completing their prison terms.

The Nigerian convicts—Gbenga Shittu Solomon, Oghomienor Jotham, Chinecherem Michael, Ibraheem Olamilekan, Favour Oluchukwu, David Okezie, Egwenum Ifeanyi, and Chidera Ezechukwu—were given fines as an alternative to imprisonment, ranging between ₦500,000 and ₦700,000.

Nigeria Tightens the Noose on Digital Crime

This case reinforces Nigeria’s determination to cleanse the digital space of cybercriminals, both local and foreign, and serves as a clear warning to fraud networks exploiting the country’s technological ecosystem. The EFCC’s “Eagle Flush” has now become a reference point for decisive law enforcement action against organized cybercrime in Africa.

Written by Boom RadioNG