A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded 13 Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Limited, on charges of alleged impersonation, fraud, and attempts to destabilise Nigeria?s constitutional structure.

Justice Denide Dipeolu issued the remand order on Friday after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The defendants, who were arraigned before the court, include Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xiao Hong Will, Wang Jia Qi (a.k.a. Xiao Tian), Long Shao Ming (a.k.a. You), and Zhang Xiao Lei.

Others are Liu San Hua, Chen Wenyuan (a.k.a. Lee05mx20), Yang Sheng (Madison), Rheeigh De La Vega (a.k.a. Rheignalyn), and Guo Xiao Fei.

They were among the suspects arrested on 10 December 2024 at their hideout on No. 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The EFCC acted on credible intelligence linking them to cybercrime and fraudulent activities.

The EFCC?s legal team, led by Director of Legal Aso Peters, filed charges against the defendants under Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).

After the charges were read to the defendants individually, they all pleaded not guilty, except for Wang Zheng Ming, who rejected the EFCC-appointed lawyer and requested time to hire his own legal representation.

Following their pleas, Justice Dipeolu scheduled trial dates for 3, 14, and 21 February 2025.

He ordered the defendants to be held at correctional facilities pending trial.

The two female defendants were remanded at Kirikiri Female Correctional Centre, while the others were taken to Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

One specific defendant, Liu San Hua, was accused of facilitating identity theft by hiring Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals to gain financial advantage.

This act is said to have violated Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.

Several of the charges include allegations of using fake identities online to defraud victims, training employees of Genting International Co. Limited in fraudulent practices, and other offences under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

According to the EFCC, the charges highlight serious offences aimed at undermining Nigeria?s security and financial integrity through cybercrime and fraudulent activities.

Liu San Hua and Genting International Co. Limited allegedly facilitated identity theft by employing Nigerian youths to pose as foreign nationals, violating Section 18 of the Cybercrimes Act.

Zhang Xiao Lei and Genting International Co. Limited were accused of using computer systems to commit cybercrimes aimed at destabilising Nigeria?s constitutional structure.

The EFCC stated that sometime in December 2024, Wang Zheng Feng (also known as A. Feng) allegedly accessed computer systems to harm Nigeria?s economy and social structure. He was said to have employed Nigerian youths for identity theft, presenting them as foreign nationals to gain financial advantage?an offence that violated both the Cybercrimes Act and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Luo Jia You (also known as You) was charged with providing false information to EFCC investigators, misleading them about his identity to conceal his involvement in a syndicate specialising in romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and cyber terrorism.

In an attempt to mislead investigators, Luo Jia You allegedly misrepresented his name as A. You?an offence contrary to Section 39(2) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 39(2)(b) of the same Act.

The Commission told the court that sometime in December 2024, Guo Xiao Fei, with intent to gain financial advantage for his employer, fraudulently impersonated a French national named Alani by presenting himself as such to one Mr Montalito.

The offence contravened Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.

He was also accused of being in possession of documents used for false pretences, including romance scam formats and chat records where he falsely presented himself as a United States citizen.

This offence contravened Sections 6, 8(b), and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

The EFCC stated that the defendants? activities posed serious threats to Nigeria?s security and financial integrity.

After their arraignment, the court adjourned the case till 3 February 2025 for trial. (The PUNCH)

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