The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken 14 Filipino nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, to court in Lagos. They were arraigned before Justice Musa Kakaki at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi.
The suspects—Marj Maranga, Zara Fabian, Jonalyn Mendoza, Dominique Medina, Rachelle Cabalona, Krystel Aquilesca, Caselyn Pionela, Raizza Camara, Danica Silad, Reyna Mae Eriba, Chynna Samonte, Mary Grace Dela Cruz, Sevien Cire Renovilla, and Rose-Ann Gonzales—were arrested on December 10, 2024. Their arrest was part of a surprise “Eagle Flush Operation” carried out by the EFCC.
The 14 individuals are said to be part of a 792-member syndicate involved in cryptocurrency investment scams and online romance fraud.
The EFCC has charged them with:
Cybercrime
Cyber-terrorism
Identity theft
Impersonation
Possession of fraudulent documents
The charge against Dela Cruz reads.
“That you, Mary Grace Dela Cruz and Genting International Co. Ltd sometime in December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organized to seriously destabilize and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria when you procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain a financial advantage for yourselves and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As amended 2024) and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
The charges against Aquilesca reads;
“That you, Krystel Aquilesca, sometime in December 2024 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, with the intent to gain a financial advantage for your employer fraudulently impersonated one ‘TETEEL’ by holding yourself out as such, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.”
During their arraignment, all 14 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution team, led by M.K. Bashir, N.K. Ukoha, and Bilkisu Buhari, requested trial dates and urged the court to keep the defendants in custody.
Justice Kakaki granted the request and ordered their remand in a correctional center. The trial has been scheduled for March 13, 2025.
Cybercrime is a growing problem, and law enforcement agencies like the EFCC are working hard to crack down on fraud. This case highlights the dangers of online scams, especially involving cryptocurrency investments and romance fraud. The outcome of the trial in March will be closely watch.
