The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the final forfeiture of 431 mobile phones linked to a cyber-fraud operation involving Chinese nationals and Nigerian youths in Lagos.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the permanent forfeiture of the devices to the Federal Government on Tuesday, following an application by the EFCC. The commission argued that the phones were allegedly acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities and were connected to an elaborate internet fraud operation. (Channels TV)
The case arose from investigations into a facility known as “HK” in Victoria Island, Lagos, which the EFCC alleged was used to train and deploy Nigerian youths and foreign nationals for romance, investment and cryptocurrency scams targeting victims in the United States, Canada, Mexico and parts of Europe.
According to the commission, a sting operation conducted on 10 December 2024 resulted in the arrest of more than 700 people, including Chinese, Nigerian and other foreign nationals. The EFCC alleged that the operation involved hundreds of computers and mobile phones, as well as foreign and Nigerian SIM cards.
The commission further linked the operation to Genting International Company Limited (GICL) and Chinese national Huang Haoyu, also known as Ken. It said Huang and GICL were subsequently prosecuted and convicted after pleading guilty to charges including cyber-terrorism, money laundering and illegal foreign exchange transactions. (The Sun Nigeria)
The EFCC later discovered the additional 431 phones during follow-up investigations and obtained an interim forfeiture order from the court in July 2026. The court directed the commission to publish the order in a national newspaper to give interested parties an opportunity to challenge the forfeiture.
The EFCC said the notice was published in The Guardian on 11 August, but no person or organisation came forward to contest the application within the period stipulated by the court.
After considering the EFCC’s application and supporting evidence, Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered the final forfeiture of all 431 mobile phones to the Federal Government. (TheCable)
