Chinese Fraudsters Convicted and Jailed Over Romance And Crypto Scam

Chinese Fraudsters Convicted and Jailed Over Romance And Crypto Scam

Chinese nationals behind a sophisticated online fraud network have been sentenced to prison in Nigeria after admitting to cybercrimes linked to romance scams and cryptocurrency schemes.

Nine of them—Li Dong, Deng Wei Qiang, Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Zhao Xiao Hui, Lui Hai Rong, Lui Gang, and Du Ji Feng—will each spend one year in jail. A Federal High Court in Lagos handed down the sentence after they changed their plea to “guilty.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested the nine during a coordinated sting operation, codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation.” The mission targeted over 700 suspects running fake investment platforms and romance fraud rings. These Chinese convicts were identified as key players.

During the trial, EFCC prosecutors told the court the syndicate used computers, mobile phones, and routers to carry out cyberattacks that threatened Nigeria’s economy and social systems. They lured victims with false cryptocurrency offers and love scams, collecting large sums of money through deceit.

In the courtroom, the EFCC’s lawyer, Nnaemeka Omewa, urged Justice D. E. Osiagor to convict the men based on their admission of guilt. The defense team did not fight the request. They asked the judge to go ahead with the sentence as recommended by the prosecution.

Justice Osiagor did just that. He ruled that each man would serve a one-year sentence starting from the day of arrest, which was back in December 2024. The judge also fined them ₦1 million each. These fines add up to ₦9 million in total.

But their punishment did not stop there.

The judge also gave a strict order for their deportation. After serving their sentence, the court directed the Comptroller General of Immigration to remove them from Nigeria within seven days. This move is meant to stop them from ever returning to continue their crimes.

Authorities also confiscated the devices used in their operations—laptops, routers, and mobile phones. All were handed over to the Federal Government.

These devices were critical to the scam. Investigators believe the gang used them to create fake cryptocurrency platforms. They also used them to pretend to be romantic partners online, especially targeting vulnerable victims.

The EFCC said its agents found digital evidence linking the gang to multiple online scams that caused financial pain for many Nigerian citizens.

“This is a win for justice,” said a senior EFCC officer, reacting to the court’s ruling. “We won’t stop until we cleanse the country of these cybercriminal networks.”

The court’s decision sends a loud warning to others operating in the shadows of Nigeria’s digital world. It shows that Nigeria is now taking serious steps to stop cybercrime, no matter where the culprits come from.

In recent years, online fraud has become more dangerous and damaging. Cybercriminals are using smarter tools and reaching more people. They target not just individuals but entire communities and even national economies.

But the EFCC has stepped up. The agency is now using modern tools and intelligence-driven operations to hunt down fraudsters. It says it won’t stop until the system is clean.

This conviction also brings hope to victims who have lost money to fake lovers and investment traps. Many were left broken, both emotionally and financially.

The EFCC hopes this case will encourage more victims to come forward. It also urges the public to stay alert and report any suspicious investment offers or sudden romantic interests that appear online.

As Nigeria pushes forward in its fight against financial crimes, stories like this help rebuild trust in the justice system. The country is sending a message that no criminal—local or foreign—will escape punishment.

The case of the nine Chinese nationals is just one part of a bigger battle. But for now, it stands as a major victory in the long war against cybercrime.