Court orders final forfeiture of 431 phones in EFCC cyber-fraud case
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of 431 mobile phones allegedly linked to a cyber-fraud operation involving Chinese nationals and Nigerian youths. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said the devices were acquired with illicit proceeds or used in internet fraud.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture to the Federal Government of 431 mobile phones allegedly connected to a cyber-fraud operation involving Chinese nationals and Nigerian youths. Justice Deinde Dipeolu made the order after hearing an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The EFCC alleged that the devices were bought with proceeds of unlawful activity and used to commit internet fraud.
The commission brought the application as an action in rem under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and the 1999 Constitution. Its investigating officer, Christopher Augustine, alleged that the phones were linked to an elaborate operation run by Chinese nationals in collaboration with Nigerian youths in Lagos. The EFCC said a facility known as “HK” in Victoria Island contained more than 500 laptops, about 400 phones and telecommunications SIM cards.
It alleged that the equipment was used for romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud and investment scams targeting victims in the United States, Canada, Mexico and parts of Europe. The commission said Nigerian youths were recruited online and trained to use foreign telephone numbers to engage victims in romantic conversations and purported investment opportunities. It alleged that victims were directed to an online platform requiring activation fees.
The EFCC said a December 2024 sting operation led to the arrest of more than 700 people, including Nigerians and foreign nationals. It later filed charges against Huang Haoyu, also known as Ken, Genting International Company Limited and other foreign nationals. The commission said Huang and the company pleaded guilty and were convicted and sentenced.
The 431 phones were discovered during further investigations. An interim forfeiture order was granted in July 2026 and published in The Guardian on August 11. After no successful challenge was made within the stipulated period, the court granted the final forfeiture application.
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