Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have handed over millions of naira recovered from internet criminals to representatives of the fraud victims in America, Spain and Switzerland, just as the EFCC arraigned a lawyer for ₦1.3 billion forex fraud in Uyo and more 35 Chinese nationals for cyber terrorisms, internet fraud in Lagos State.

EFCC in numbers of news releases during the week, disclosed these as presented verbatim below:

EFCC Hands Over $132,362.43, ₦78,566,324.81 to Foreign Victims of Fraud

As a gesture of its commitment to tackling economic and financial crimes and offering restitution to victims of fraudulent practices, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has handed over a total sum of One Hundred and Thirty Two, Three Hundred and Sixty Two United States Dollars, Forty Three Cents, Seventy Eight Million, Five Hundred and Sixty Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty Four Naira, Eighty one kobo to American, Spanish and Swiss victims of local fraudsters.

The handover, which was performed by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr Ola Olukoyede took place on Friday, February 21, 2025 at the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

A delighted Olukoyede observed that, “The event is a demonstration of the commitment of the federal government of Nigeria and that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the fight against corruption and financial crimes. A commitment to good governance, a commitment to stimulating the economy and a commitment to prove to the entire world that Nigeria is not a safe haven for financial crimes, a commitment to international cooperation and international synergy in the fight against financial crimes, which you will agree with me, has become a global crime.”

Speaking further, he said; “We are here to demonstrate that the federal government of Nigeria, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is ready to do everything possible to prevent financial crimes from being perpetrated in our system. And when one has taken place, to investigate where assets are involved, to trace, to recover and where necessary, prosecute.

“We don’t just recover, we restitute the victims. We are here this morning to restitute those who were victimized through the perpetration of economic and financial crimes. It is important to know that once proceeds of crime are recovered, the most responsible thing to do is to restitute the victims.

Handed over in addition to money are vehicles and real estate to citizens of Spain, United States of America and Switzerland. Acting Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Maria Higon Velasco received the sum of $1,300, One Thousand Three Hundred Dollars and evidence of ₦30 million already transferred to the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria for onward transmission to a victim, Maria Del Rosario San Jose.

Florent Geel, Senior Political Officer, First Secretary, Embassy of Switzerland received $100,011.43, One Hundred Thousand, Eleven Dollars and Forty-three Cents on behalf of a victim, Chantai Helene Lavancy, formerly known as Chantai Helene Maeder.

Charles Smith, Legal Attache, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Embassy of the United States received the sum of $7,344, Seven Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty-Four Dollars; ₦7,963,483.35, Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-three Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty-three Naira, Thirty-five Kobo, and Bitcoin cryptocurrency valued at $4,470.00, Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventy Dollars on behalf of the United States Embassy in Nigeria for onward transmission to a victim, Maria Jesus Brockell.

Also received by Smith was Mercedes Benz E550 4Matic Chasis Number:WDDHF9AB6AA111112, Mercedes Benz C450 AMG with Chasis Number: WDD20J0641F282467, and one residential bungalow, located at 17/19 Seaman Street, Unguwar Maigero, Kaduna, Kaduna State on behalf of the United States Embassy in Nigeria for onward transmission to the crime victim.

Additionally, Smith received the sum of $7,527, Seven thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-seven Dollars on behalf of the United States Embassy in Nigeria for onward transmission to the victim of the crime, Michael Smith. He also received the sum of $11,710.00, Eleven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ten Dollars on behalf of the United States Embassy in Nigeria for onward transmission to the crime victim, Cheryle Williams.

Lastly, Smith received the sum of ₦32,639,358.11, Thirty-Two Million, Six Hundred and Thirty-nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-eight Naira, Eleven Kobo on behalf of the United States Embassy in Nigeria for onward transmission to the crime victim, Marva Marrow.

In her remarks, her Excellency Velasco expressed gratitude, adding that “This is a sign of the collaboration between Nigeria and Spain and we are very grateful for this collaboration.”

Smith said “As the FBI Legal Attache and the representative of the US government I want to say we personally appreciate this. Many here may not understand what the impact this does to the victims. This gives them complete closure and it allows them to feel whole again. So we really do appreciate and we thank the EFCC. The EFCC is just not operating in Nigeria. The EFCC is a major global contender and you should recognize that every time.”

On behalf of the government of Switzerland, Geel thanked the government of Nigeria and EFCC for the recovery and restitution.

“I thank the Nigerian government and especially the EFCC for the work they have done to combat internet fraud and other financial crimes. Today’s restitution of money obtained from a Swiss citizen demonstrates the effectiveness but also integrity, professionalism, courage and collaboration that occur between Nigeria and Switzerland. So, thank you for this exemplary collaboration and work in making the digital world safer and better regulated. Switzerland will continue to work alongside the Nigeria government in the service of the security of our respective people. So thank you again,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Umar Ahmed, thanked Olukoyede for his efforts in the anti-corruption fight and conveyed the felicitation of the Honorable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and the ministry to the EFCC and the Nigerian government.

According to him, “This is really an unprecedented development, and you cannot believe the impact that this development will have on the mandate of the ministry, because it makes our work a whole lot easier because it really enhances the credibility of Nigeria in the international scene. And it will also go a long way in restoring investors’ confidence in the country.

And the ministry is very well with you in pursuing this mandate and want to thank you for this initiative. It demonstrates the support of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the fight against corruption and also in strengthening the EFCC in carrying out its mandate. All of us in the ministry are really happy with this development and we’ll keep on working with you and supporting you and in carrying your mandate.”

EFCC Arraigns 18 more Chinese for Alleged Cyber-terrorism, Internet Fraud in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, February 20, 2025 arraigned additional 18 Chinese before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

They are: Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Deng Wei Qiang, Fu Min, Qin Xiao Yong, Li Dong, Li De Wen, Luo Mao Yang, Zhao Xiao Hui, Du Ji Feng, Liu Hai Rong, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi, Zhang Jian, Peng Fa li and Huo Wen Jie.

They are among the 792-member cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 10, 2024, in Lagos, in a sting operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by EFCC operatives.

The suspects were arraigned on separate charges, bordering on cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence and identity theft.

One of the charges reads: “That you Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Genting International Company limited and A Dao (at large) sometime in December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court conspired with yourselves to commit an offence to wit: cause to be accessed, computer systems for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economic and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 18 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015.”

They all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them, following which prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, asked the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in the appropriate correctional center.

Justice Osiagor adjourned the matter till May 5, 2025 for trial, and ordered that they be remanded at the correctional custodial center.

EFCC Arraigns 17 Chinese for Alleged Cyber-terrorism, Internet Fraud in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, February 21, 2025, arraigned 17 more Chinese and a company, Genting International Company Limited, before Justice Musa Kakaki and Justice Daniel Osiagor, both of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos for fraud.

They are: Mao Bu Yi, Li Xiang Long, Dai Li, Yu Hai Qing, Jia Yang, Jia Zhi, Hao Tao Kun, Liu Chuang, Zhao Xiao Liang, Ziao Zi Cheng, Zhang San Feng, Li Zhong Chan, Chen Gui Ping, Su Jan Fu, Su Zong Gen, Wang Jie, and Zeng Zerong.

The defendants are among the 792-member cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 10, 2024, in a sting operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by EFCC operatives.

They were arraigned on separate charges bordering on alleged cyber-terrorism,
cybercrime, possession of documents containing false pretence, and identity theft.

While Jie and Zerong were arraigned before Justice Kakaki, the remaining 15 were arraigned before Justice Osiagor.

The charge against Yi reads: “That you, Mao Bu Yi and Genting International Company Limited sometimes in December 2024 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourabe Court, willfully caused to be accessed computer system for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the Economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc} Act, 2015 (as Amended, 2024).”

The charge against Jie reads: “That you, Wang Jie (aka Xu Zhong Xiang) and Genting International Company Limited, sometime between the 29th of November, 2024 and 10th of December, 2024 at Number 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems which were organized to destabilized the social and economic structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when you secretly procured and employed several Nigerian youths for identity theft and other computer related fraud, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015 As amended).”

They all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, following which prosecution counsel, M S Owede, T J Banjo, A C Olowonihi, and N C Mutfwang asked the courts for trial dates and for the defendants to be remanded in the appropriate correctional center.

While Justice Kakaki adjourned the matter till March 20, 2025 for trial, Justice Osiagor adjourned till June 11, 2025 for trial. They were all ordered to be remanded in the correctional centre.

EFCC Arraigns Lawyer for Alleged N1.3bn Forex Fraud in Uyo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Uyo Zonal Directorate, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, arraigned a legal practitioner Barrister Alexander Uchenna Ozougwu before Justice Sergius Onah of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for allegedly defrauding his victims to the tune of ₦1, 323, 850. 000.00, One Billion, Three Hundred and Twenty Three Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira through a bogus foreign exchange investment scheme.

He was arraigned on six count charges bordering on obtaining money by false pretence in contravention of provisions of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

Count one of the charges against him reads; “That you Alexander Uchenna Ozogwu sometime in September 2024 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did take possession of the total sum of Two Hundred and Sixty Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only (₦268,850,000) through a bank account with account name- StARLIGHT AtTORNEYS which you knew formed proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act’.

Count two reads, “That you Alexander Uchenna 0zougwu sometime in July, 2024 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did take possession of the total sum of Two Hundred and Thirteen Million Naira Only (₦213,000,000) through a bank account with account name- StARLIGHT AtTORNEYS which you knew formed proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the money laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act’.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him , and in view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Joshua O Abolarin prayed the court to remand the defendant at a Correctional Centre and fix a date for trial, but the defence counsel C M Onuchukwu quickly informed the court of a bail application which he said was filed on self- recognizance for the defendant and also assured the court that he shall make himself available for trial.

After listening to both counsels, Justice Onah granted bail in the sum of ₦500, 000, 000.00, Five Hundred Million Naira only with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be civil servants of grade level 12 and above, and must have landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court. The court also ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport and two recent passport photographs with the court.

Ozougwu was docked on the claims of four petitioners that alleged that he presented himself as a registered bureau de change operator with the Central Bank of Nigeria through which he earned their trust and collected the passwords to their betting accounts and promising that he was going to help them fund their accounts, but ended up diverting their funds.

Investigation into the allegations revealed that the defendant was operating a ponzi scheme under the guise of exchanging dollars for his victims and channelling most of the funds to various betting platforms. A total of ₦1,323,850,000.00 was discovered to have been diverted from the accounts of the petitioners.

The judge adjourned the matter to March 31, 2025 for trial.