Two Chinese Nationals Jailed for 46 Years Each In £3.2m, $2.5m Cyber Fraud Case In Lagos

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced two Chinese nationals, Huang Haoyu and An Hongxu, to 46 years’ imprisonment each for cyberterrorism, internet fraud and money laundering involving more than N3.4 billion (£3.2 million) and $2.5 million.

Justice Daniel Osiagor delivered the verdict on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, after the defendants changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty during the hearing.

The pair were arrested on December 19, 2024, during a major sting operation codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation” carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The operation resulted in the arrest of 792 suspected fraudsters involved in cryptocurrency scams, fake investment platforms and romance fraud syndicates active across Lagos.

According to the EFCC, investigations showed that the fraudulent network operated through Genting International Co. Ltd., a company allegedly set up by Friday Audu at the instruction of Huang Haoyu to enable the scheme. The defendants were accused of recruiting and employing young Nigerians to impersonate foreign nationals on online platforms in order to defraud unsuspecting victims.

The two Chinese men, alongside Audu and another suspect believed to be at large, were charged by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 on seven counts including conspiracy, cyberterrorism, internet fraud and money laundering totalling N3,407,824,740.78 and $2,562,203.

One of the charges alleged that the defendants conspired in 2024 to deliberately access and deploy computer systems in a way intended to seriously destabilise Nigeria’s economic and social fabric, an offence contrary to Sections 27 and 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

Although they initially pleaded not guilty, Bridget Omateno, counsel for the first and third defendants, informed the court at the resumed hearing that her clients wished to change their pleas. Following the re-reading of the charges, Huang and Hongxu pleaded guilty, while Friday Audu maintained his not guilty plea.

Prosecution counsel Bilikisu Bala-Buhari urged the court to impose the maximum penalty of life imprisonment on counts one to three and 14 years’ imprisonment on counts four to seven. She also sought the forfeiture of all items recovered during the investigation to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The EFCC recovered a substantial quantity of operational equipment from four properties in Victoria Island and Ikoyi, including 1,596 mobile phones, 2,120 office chairs, 544 office desks, 194 routers, 43 computer systems and a network server, 126 air-conditioning units, thousands of SIM cards, generators, vehicles, and hundreds of mattresses and bunk beds.

In his ruling, Justice Osiagor sentenced both Huang and Hongxu to a cumulative total of 46 years’ imprisonment each, with the option of a N56 million fine. The court further ordered that they each perform three days of community service and be repatriated upon completion of their sentences and the community service requirement.

Proceedings were adjourned until April 29, 2026, for the continuation of the trial of Friday Audu, who continues to contest the charges.

Credit: Crimes Chroniclers