The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, July 14, 2025, secured the conviction and sentencing of two Chinese nationals for cyberterrorism and internet fraud before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The convicts, Huang Xiao Liang (a.k.a Liu Xiao Liang) and Shi Yang Xiong, were part of a syndicate of 792 suspects allegedly involved in cryptocurrency investment and romance scams. They were arrested on December 19, 2024, in Lagos during a sting operation by EFCC operatives codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation.”
Both defendants were arraigned on separate charges bordering on cyberterrorism and internet fraud. One of the charges against Huang Xiao Liang reads: “That you, HUANG XIAO LIANG (a.k.a LIU XIAO LIANG) and GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. Ltd., sometime in December, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst yourselves, caused to be accessed a computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 27 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition & Prevention) Act 2015.”
Initially, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, during Monday’s proceedings, they changed their pleas to guilty. Following the change of plea, prosecution counsel, U.S. Kyari, urged the court to convict them as charged.
Justice Dipeolu convicted and sentenced each of the defendants to one year imprisonment with an option of a N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) fine. The court also directed the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service to ensure their deportation to their home country within seven days of completing their sentences.
Additionally, all items recovered from the convicts were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
