Two judges of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Justice Yellin Bogoro and Justice Alexander Owoeye, on Friday, convicted and sentenced 15 foreign nationals to one year imprisonment each for their involvement in cyberterrorism and internet fraud. The court ruling followed their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which brought multiple charges against them related to cybercrime, possession of fraudulent documents, and actions aimed at destabilising Nigeria’s economic and social systems.
The convicted individuals include eleven Filipinos: Winnie De Jesus, Kayceelynn Remorin, Irish Chna, Darwisa Esmael, Kimberly Nisperos, Savien Cire Renovilla, Jessa Sanchi, Jhena Sarmiento, Rain Torida, Rex Jose Dilag (also known as Madison), and Beverlyin Gumayo (also known as Veb Sumayo). Additionally, the convicts included two Chinese nationals—Zeng Zerong and Guo Bin—one Malaysian, Tan Soon Kar, and an Indonesian national, Fernando Fu Fang.
According to the EFCC, the crimes for which the convicts were prosecuted took place in Lagos State in December 2024. The commission revealed that the individuals were involved in a coordinated cybercrime network operating under the guise of a legitimate enterprise. The network primarily focused on identity theft, impersonation, and manipulation of Nigerian youths to carry out fraudulent online activities targeted at individuals and businesses both within and outside the country.
15 Foreign Nationals Jailed for Cyberterrorism and Internet Fraud in Lagos
One of the primary actors, Winnie De Jesus, was specifically named for working in conjunction with a corporate entity, Genting International Co. Ltd. Investigations revealed that De Jesus willfully accessed computer systems and digital platforms in a manner intended to damage Nigeria’s economic infrastructure and disrupt its social stability. According to the EFCC, she recruited young Nigerians, training them to impersonate foreigners online and defraud unsuspecting victims through elaborate scams.
In a similar vein, Kayceelynn Remorin was also found to have collaborated with Genting International Co. Ltd to perpetrate cyber fraud. The EFCC presented evidence indicating that she not only recruited Nigerian youths for illegal online activities but also impersonated a fictitious individual named “Anastacia Lim” in order to obtain illicit financial benefits for her employer. The anti-graft agency described her involvement as instrumental in executing fraudulent schemes aimed at defrauding victims by exploiting digital platforms.
The EFCC stressed that the actions of the convicts violated several provisions of Nigerian law, notably Sections 18, 22(2)(b), and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024. Furthermore, their conduct also breached Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022, due to the cyberterrorism elements embedded in the criminal acts.
All fifteen defendants pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them. Given their plea agreements with the EFCC, the prosecution team, consisting of counsels N.K. Ukoha, T.J. Banjo, and N.C. Mutfwang, urged the court to proceed with convictions based on the terms of the plea bargains.
After reviewing the evidence and the plea arrangements, Justices Bogoro and Owoeye accepted the terms of the agreements and sentenced each of the foreign nationals to one year in prison. However, the court also granted each convict an option of a fine in the sum of ₦1 million (one million naira).
In delivering their judgment, the judges emphasized the seriousness of cyber-related offences and the threat they pose to national and global security. They called on authorities to remain vigilant and to strengthen existing cyber laws to deter future offenders.
The court also issued a deportation order for the convicts. The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service was directed to ensure the repatriation of the convicts to their respective countries within seven days of completing their jail terms or upon payment of the fines.
In addition, the court ordered that all electronic devices and digital tools recovered from the convicts during investigations be forfeited to the Federal Government. These devices, according to EFCC investigators, contained evidence of fraudulent activities, including fake identities, email templates used in phishing schemes, and transaction records.
The EFCC praised the swift adjudication of the case and reiterated its commitment to combating cybercrime in Nigeria. The commission also encouraged the public to remain alert and report suspicious digital activities to relevant authorities.
This landmark case underscores the growing threat of international cybercrime and the importance of cross-border cooperation in tackling digital fraud and terrorism. As digital platforms continue to evolve, authorities stress the need for continuous upgrades in cybersecurity infrastructure and legal frameworks to counter increasingly sophisticated cybercriminal networks.
