Court orders forfeiture of 431 phones seized from Chinese fraudsters

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final seizure of 431 mobile phones seized from Chinese cyber-fraudsters and their associates, according to Tuesday's ruling. This decision came after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) submitted a petition pursuant to relevant laws, arguing that the devices were evidence of illicit activities.

The prosecution's case, led by Hanatu Kofarnaisa, was supported by an affidavit from EFCC investigator Christopher Augustine, which detailed an intricate international cyber-crime network operating in Lagos' Victoria Island. The syndicate, operating under the code-name "HK," was alleged to have established a secret hub employing foreign nationals from China, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, and Pakistan to engage in romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and investment scams.

A significant operation on December 10, 2024, resulted in the arrest of over 700 suspects, including 500 Nigerians, 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, two Kyrgyz nationals, and one Pakistani. The investigation also revealed that a firm, Genting International Company Limited, controlled by a Chinese individual named Huang Haoyu, served as a front for the syndicate.

The EFCC claimed that Haoyu and the company were convicted and sentenced for various offenses, including cyber-terrorism, money laundering, and illegal foreign exchange transactions. The court further noted that an additional 431 mobile phones were recovered during subsequent investigations, leading to an interim forfeiture order.

The EFCC's counsel urged the court to grant the final forfeiture, emphasizing the importance of upholding justice. Justice Deinde Dipeolu agreed, ordering the permanent seizure of the 431 mobile phones in the interest of justice.