LAGOS, Nigeria — A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, May 30, 2025, convicted and sentenced 15 foreign nationals to one year in prison each for offences related to cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The convicted individuals — 11 Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian — were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on various counts, including possession of fraudulent documents, unauthorised access to computer systems, and internet-related offences.
Identified as Winnie De Jesus, Kayceelynn Remorin, Irish Chna, Darwisa Esmael, Kimberly Nisperos, Savien Cire Renovilla, Zeng Zerong, Guo Bin, Jessa Sanchi, Jhena Sarmiento, Rain Torida, Rex Jose Dilag (aka Madison), Tan Soon Kar, Fernando Fu Fang, and Beverlyin Gumayo (aka Veb Sumayo), the group was arraigned on separate charges linked to a network of cybercrime schemes.
One charge stated that in December 2024, De Jesus and Genting International Co. Ltd. deliberately facilitated unauthorised access to computer systems in Lagos with the aim of destabilising Nigeria’s economic and social order.
They were also accused of recruiting Nigerian youths to engage in identity theft for financial gain.
Another count charged Kayceelynn Remorin and Genting International Co. Ltd. with illicitly accessing computer systems and orchestrating impersonation schemes, including Remorin allegedly impersonating one Anastacia Lim for the benefit of her employer.
All 15 individuals pleaded guilty to the charges.
Following the guilty pleas, EFCC counsels N.K. Ukoha, T.J. Banjo, and N.C. Mutfwang urged the court to convict the defendants in accordance with the plea bargain agreements.
Presiding Justices Yellin Bogoro and Alexander Owoeye sentenced each defendant to one year of imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₦1,000,000 per person.
In addition, the court ordered the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to deport all convicts to their respective countries of origin within seven days of completing their prison terms.
All electronic devices and materials recovered during the investigation were also forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The EFCC stated that the convictions reflect the agency’s ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational cybercrime networks and safeguard the country’s digital and economic security.
