Two Chinese nationals jailed 46 Years each over Multi-Billion cybercrime in Lagos

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday convicted and sentenced two Chinese nationals, Huang Haoyu (aka Ken) and An Hongxu, directors of Genting International Co. Limited, to 46 years’ imprisonment each, or an option of a N56 million fine, over a multi-billion-naira cybercrime and money laundering scheme.

The court also ordered the convicts to undertake three days of community service and directed that they be repatriated after completing their sentences and community service.

The two were among 792 suspects arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in December 2024 for internet and cryptocurrency fraud.

At the resumed trial, counsel to the defendants, Bridget Omateno, informed the court that Huang Haoyu and An Hongxu had changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty, while a third defendant, Audu Friday, maintained his not guilty plea and will face trial separately.

Prosecution counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala urged the court to impose maximum sentences, highlighting that counts one and two carry life imprisonment, while counts three and four attract 14-year jail terms.

The prosecution also requested the forfeiture of all recovered assets to the Federal Government.

Justice Osiagor in his ruling approved the forfeiture of extensive assets recovered from multiple locations in Victoria Island and Ikoyi, including:

1,596 mobile phones

2,120 office chairs

544 office tables

43 computer systems and a network server

126 air-conditioning units and generators

Vehicles, mattresses, bunk beds, thousands of SIM cards, and other electronic and household items

Recovered properties were located at No. 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island; Plot 1220 Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island; 54A A.J. Marinho Drive, Victoria Island; and 14A Modupe Alakija Crescent, Ikoyi.

The defendants were charged with conspiring to access computer systems to destabilize Nigeria’s economy, employing Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals for financial gain, retaining over $2.5 million USDT in crypto wallets, and transferring billions of naira through Genting International’s accounts.

Additional counts against Audu Friday and the company included illegal foreign exchange transactions and failure to submit declarations to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML).

The EFCC has confirmed that proceedings against Audu Friday will continue, while Huang Haoyu and An Hongxu’s sentencing sends a strong warning against cybercrime and financial fraud in Nigeria.

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