The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos has succeeded in getting four Filipinos and seven Nigerians convicted for online fraud and cybercrime.

Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi delivered the ruling after the EFCC filed separate cases against each of the accused.

The four foreigners found guilty are Reyna Mae Eriba, Chynna Samonte, Zara Fabian, and Dominique Medina.

Each of them was charged with crimes involving internet fraud, identity theft, and cyberterrorism.

One of them, Chynna Samonte, was accused of using computers to carry out plans that could damage Nigeria’s economy and society. She reportedly encouraged Nigerian youths to steal identities and pretend to be others online to make money.

This act was said to break Nigeria’s cybercrime laws and also go against the terrorism law updated in 2022.

A Nigerian man named Chidera Ezechukwu was also found guilty. He had over N12 million in his bank account, which was suspected to be money from an online romance scam.

He was charged under the money laundering law, which makes it illegal to keep money made from criminal activities.

All eleven people admitted they were guilty of the crimes.

EFCC prosecutors—Anita Imo, S.I. Suleiman, H.U. Kofarnaisa, and B.M. Isah—asked the court to sentence them and also hand over all seized items to the government.

The judge gave each of the four Filipinos a one-year prison sentence or the option to pay a N1 million fine.

He also told the Nigeria Immigration Service to deport them to the Philippines within seven days after they serve their sentences or pay the fine.

Among the Nigerians, Gbenga Shittu Solomon got one year in prison or a N700,000 fine.

The other six Nigerians—Jotham, Olamilekan, Ezechukwu, David, Ifeanyi, and Oluchukwu—were each sentenced to one year or a fine of N500,000.

Lastly, the judge ruled that all the items found with them, including cars, mobile phones, and money, should be handed over to the Federal Government of Nigeria.