Nigeria sentences 9 Chinese nationals for participating in international cyber syndicate

A Nigerian court has sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year in prison for their role in a large-scale cybercrime syndicate that organized fraud schemes and recruited local youths to commit online scams ranging from romance to investment.

According to the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the convicts were part of a network that engaged in identity theft, identity fraud and cyberterrorism. The operation, dubbed Eagle Flush, which saw the arrest of 780 people (including 599 Nigerians and 193 foreigners), was the EFCC’s biggest ever raid against organized digital fraud.

The majority of the foreigners arrested were Chinese nationals. Witnesses said they were recruited via WhatsApp, promised good salaries (₦250,000/month), but were actually held in closed offices, under guard, without access to phones or freedom of movement.

• The EFCC said the syndicate had international roots, was based in Lagos and used modern technology and social engineering techniques to defraud people in different countries. The operations included romance scams, cryptocurrency investments, identity theft, etc.
• The court found nine Chinese nationals guilty of organizing the schemes and fined each ₦1,000,000 (\$640), with subsequent deportation after serving their sentences.
• The Chinese ambassador to Nigeria acknowledged the existence of “bad apples” and proposed the establishment of a working group to work with Nigerian authorities.

The Nigerian case highlights the global scale of cybercrime, where high-tech scams are being carried out by well-organized groups that recruit local people. The EFCC’s successful operation not only disrupted part of the syndicate, but also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating digital threats. China has officially declared “zero tolerance” for such crimes, but further actions will show whether it is prepared to combat cybercrime beyond its borders.