Nigeria’s cybercrime crackdown: Two Chinese nationals get 46yrs in $2.5m crypto case

Justice Daniel Osiagor convicted Huang Haoyu, also known as Ken, and An Hongxu after they changed their pleas to guilty. The judge gave them the option of a N56 million (approx. $37,000) fine each, ordered three days of community service, and directed that they be repatriated to China after serving their sentences.

The men were among 792 suspected internet fraud suspects arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in December 2024.

Prosecutors said the pair recruited Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals online for financial gain and laundered funds through crypto wallets and local bank accounts.

“I humbly pray your lordship to impose the maximum sentence… to serve as a deterrent,” EFCC prosecutor Bilkisu Bala-Buhari told the court.

In his ruling, Justice Osiagor sentenced each man to a cumulative 46 years, saying the punishment reflected the seriousness of the offences.

Authorities also ordered the forfeiture of assets recovered during the investigation, including hundreds of phones, computers, and other equipment allegedly used in the fraud operation.