Nigerian Court Sentences Two Chinese Nationals to 46 Years for Cyberterrorism and Internet Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced that two Chinese nationals, Huang Haoyu and Huang Hongxu, were sentenced to 46 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for cyberterrorism, internet fraud, and money laundering totaling N3.4 billion and $2.5 million. They were arrested during a crackdown on online fraud syndicates in Lagos.

Audu, allegedly involved in the fraudulent operations, pleaded not guilty. The EFCC prosecutor, Bilikisu Bala Buhari, urged the court to impose life imprisonment on the convicts.

This case is part of Nigeria's largest cybercrime crackdown, with 792 suspects arrested in December 2024, including foreigners linked to cryptocurrency investment and romance scams.