Two Chinese Nationals Convicted of Cyberterrorism in Nigeria
A federal court in Lagos, Nigeria, recently found two Chinese men guilty of “cyberterrorism.” They admitted their involvement in an extensive fraud operation related to “cryptocurrency, investment, and romance scams.”
This incident highlights a growing trend of illegal activities by Chinese nationals in Africa, spurred by the expanding presence of the Chinese Communist Party on the continent. Nigeria, like many other nations, is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This initiative often leads to predatory loans from China, intended for infrastructure projects. When countries can’t pay these loans back, they risk losing important assets. So far, Nigeria hasn’t faced significant asset confiscation, but residents are increasingly concerned about the influence of Chinese companies since joining the BRI.
The two convicted individuals, Huang Haoyu and An Honxu, received 46 years in prison each, along with a requirement to perform three days of community service before their deportation. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Nigeria mentioned they could also opt to pay a fine of 56 million naira, which is roughly $41,000.
Authorities noted that these individuals were linked to Genting International Company Limited, believed to have been established by Nigerian partners with the intention to defraud locals.
According to the commission, the men were found to have recruited young Nigerians under false pretenses, hoping to scam unsuspecting victims through online methods. The total amount implicated in this fraud scheme is estimated to be over 3 billion naira, or about $2.5 million.
The “terrorism” charge relates to the accusation that Huang and An attempted to disrupt Nigeria’s economic and social fabric by accessing computer systems. However, the Financial Crimes Commission did not specify what their exact goals were in accessing those systems.
Alongside them, a Nigerian man named Friday Audu faces charges but maintains his innocence. His legal case is still proceeding. Reports indicate that Huang and An changed their pleas to guilty, which expedited their sentencing. Prosecutors had initially sought life sentences for the pair.
These arrests were made during a significant police operation in December 2024, known as “Operation Eagle Flash,” which targeted a global online fraud network. This operation led to 792 arrests, with many suspects being Chinese nationals, and as of August, 102 individuals had been deported. The enforcement effort took place in a suspected fraudulent complex in Lagos.
After the operation, the commission said it was encouraging to identify foreign fraudsters in Nigeria, highlighting that the country has developed a reputation for being a hub for such activities.
Spokesman Wilson Uwujaren stated, “This operation illustrates that many foreigners are involved, challenging the stereotype of Nigerians being the sole perpetrators of fraud.” It seems the landscape is shifting, with many outsiders targeting Nigeria.
While issues involving Chinese nationals in Nigeria aren’t new, the specifics of illicit money-making methods discovered in this operation reflect a different angle, less focused on direct confrontations with Chinese companies. One example of contention relates to Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co., Ltd., which was engaged in a Belt and Road project for a commercial development but saw no real success. After the Nigerian government canceled the project, the company pursued international arbitration and was awarded $70 million in damages.
Nigeria’s presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga expressed concerns about the ongoing legal struggles, stating that Chinese companies often resort to aggressive tactics in attempts to claim Nigerian assets abroad. Onanuga criticized China’s role in escalating these disputes, claiming it sends individuals to Africa with the intent of exploiting and defrauding local governments.
