EFCC Arraigns 12 Alleged Foreign Yahoo Boys Syndicate in Lagos

By Dansu Peter  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned 11 Chinese nationals, one Filipino, and a company, Genting...

By Dansu Peter 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned 11 Chinese nationals, one Filipino, and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over alleged cyber-related crimes.  

The defendants—Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xian Hong Will, Zhang Xiao Lei, Long Zhao Ming, Guo Xiao Fei, Yang Sheng, Wang Zheng Feng, Chen Wenyuan, Liu San Hua, Luo Jia You, and Rheign Dela Vega—were charged following their arrest on December 19, 2024, during an EFCC operation codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation.” The large-scale raid targeted a syndicate of 792 suspected cryptocurrency investment and romance fraudsters in Lagos.  

The accused face multiple counts related to cybercrime, cyber-terrorism, identity theft, and possession of fraudulent documents. Among the charges, one alleges that Li Yin Hui and Genting International Co. Ltd. orchestrated schemes to recruit Nigerian youths for identity theft, posing as foreign nationals to defraud unsuspecting victims. Another charge claims that Luo Jia You misled EFCC investigators by providing false identification, while Long Shao Ming is accused of impersonating an American citizen in an advance-fee fraud scheme.  

All defendants pleaded not guilty. In response, EFCC prosecution counsel L.P. Aso, M.K. Bashir, T.J. Banjo, N.K. Ukoha, and B. Buhari-Bala requested trial dates and the defendants’ remand in correctional facilities.  

Justice Dipeolu adjourned the trial to February 7, 14, and 21, 2025, and ordered the defendants’ detention at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.