Court jails 15 foreigners for cyber terrorism, internet fraud

Court jails 15 foreigners for cyber terrorism, internet fraud

Justice Yellin Bogoro and Justice Alexander Owoeye of Lagos’ Federal High Court convicted and sentenced 15 foreigners to one year in prison each for cyber-terrorism and online fraud.

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

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charged them with various offences, including possession of false documents and cybercrimes.

The EFCC informed the court that the offences were perpetrated in Lagos State.

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

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charged them with various offences, including possession of false documents and cybercrimes.

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According to the EFCC, Winnie De Jesus and a corporate entity, Genting International Co. Ltd, wilfully accessed computer systems intended to destabilise and destroy Nigeria’s economic and social structure.

The committee claimed that De Jesus recruited Nigerian youngsters to commit identity theft, directing them to masquerade as foreigners in order to profit financially.

Kayceelynn Remorin, in partnership with Genting International Co. Ltd, was accused of carrying out a similar plan.

She allegedly enabled the use of Nigerian youngsters for identity theft and misrepresentation with the intention of financial exploitation.

In addition, the court heard that Remorin impersonated ‘Anastacia Lim’ in order to illegally achieve a financial benefit for her employer.

The EFCC noted that the offences committed violated Sections 18, 22(2)(b), and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), as well as Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.

All of the offenders pleaded guilty to the accusations brought against them.

Following their pleas, prosecution counsel N.K. Ukoha, T.J. Banjo, and N.C. Mutfwang requested the court to convict them in accordance with the plea agreements they reached with the commission.

Justice Bogoro and Justice Owoeye convicted them and sentenced each to one year in prison, with the option of a ₦1 million fine.

The judges also ordered the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service to return the offenders to their home countries within seven days of serving their sentences.

Furthermore, all equipment seized from the offenders was ordered to be forfeited to the federal government.

Court jails 15 foreigners for cyber terrorism, internet fraud