Court jails eight Filipinos for cyber-terrorism, internet fraud
The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State has sentenced eight Filipino nationals to one year in prison each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud, while it is recalled that all defendants had earlier pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them in court.
Penpushing reports that the charges filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bordered on possession of fraudulent documents and involvement in cybercrime
The anti-crimes commission told the court that the defendants were found to possess electronic messages and documents containing false identities and fraudulent claims, and in one of the counts, Ms Casino was accused of willfully accessing computer systems intended to destabilise Nigeria’s economic and social structures.
Penpushing further reports that she allegedly procured Nigerian youths to engage in identity theft, posing as foreigners for financial gain, an offence which violated Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Prosecution Counsel N.K. Ukoha following the pleas by the defendants urged the court to convict them as charged, and they include Beverlyn Casino, Mae Eribal, Mary Grace Dela Cruz, Jamal Polea, Tricia Castro, Rai Camara, Cherry De Leon, and Danica Jarapan.
Penpushing also reports that the judge, Alexander Owoeye, delivering judgment sentenced each convict to one-year imprisonment, with an option of a N1 million fine, and equally ordered the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service to ensure the deportation of the convicts to the Philippines within seven days of completing their prison terms.
The court in addition ordered the forfeiture of all digital devices recovered from the convicts to the Federal Government of Nigeria, while it is recalled that the eight Filipinos were among 792 suspects, including 158 foreign nationals, arrested during a massive agency raid on December 10,2024 at number 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Penpushing reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) described it as the largest single-day cybercrime operation in history, with record that the suspects were allegedly involved in cryptocurrency investment scams, romance fraud, and identity theft, targeting both Nigerians and foreign victims.
The Federal High Court headed by Justice Yellin Bogoro in a related development had convicted another set of 12 Filipinos who also pleaded guilty to similar offences under a plea bargain arrangement.
Penpushing further reports that the convicts include Anjeanette Topacio, Gladys Joy Mag-Iba, Jean Calago, Shairah Mae Reyes, Roseann Gonzales, Lari Jane Tayag, Krystel Aquilesca, Jonalyn Agulto, Paizza Camara, Vivian Pionella, Jonalyn Mendoza, and Mary Grace De La Cruz (also listed in the group convicted by Owoeye, suggesting possible overlap).
The Filipinos were sentenced each to one year imprisonment with an N1 million fine and ordered to be deported after serving their sentence. Their digital devices were also forfeited to the Nigerian government.
Penpushing also reports that Head Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Dele Oyewale said the suspects were part of a transnational cybercrime syndicate from Lagos, using advanced technology and social engineering to defraud victims globally.
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