15 Foreigners Jailed for Cyber-Terrorism, Internet Fraud in Lagos

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday sentenced 15 foreign nationals to one year imprisonment each for their involvement in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud, following a successful prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The convicted individuals include 11 Filipinos, two Chinese nationals, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian. They were identified as Winnie De Jesus, Kayceelynn Remorin, Irish Chna, Darwisa Esmael, Kimberly Nisperos, Savien Cire Renovilla, Zeng Zerong, Guo Bin, Jessa Sanchi, Jhena Sarmiento, Rain Torida, Rex Jose Dilag (aka Madison), Tan Soon Kar, Fernando Fu Fang, and Beverlyin Gumayo (aka Veb Sumayo).

The EFCC arraigned the defendants on separate charges bordering on possession of fraudulent documents and cyber-terrorism. One of the charges stated that Winnie De Jesus, in December 2024, accessed computer systems in a manner intended to destabilize Nigeria’s economic and social structures by recruiting Nigerian youths for identity theft and financial fraud. The act was said to contravene the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), and the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Similarly, Kayceelynn Remorin faced charges for impersonating an individual named “Anastacia Lim” with the intent of gaining financial benefits for her employer.

All defendants pleaded guilty and entered into plea bargains with the EFCC. Based on these pleas, the prosecution team, led by N.K. Ukoha, T.J. Banjo, and N.C. Mutfwang, requested convictions in line with the agreements.

Presiding Justices Yellin Bogoro and Alexander Owoeye sentenced the defendants to one year in prison each, with an option of a ₦1 million fine.

The court also directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to facilitate the deportation of the convicts to their respective countries within seven days of completing their sentences.