EFCC Strikes Hard: Meet The Foreigners Behind Nigeria’s Latest Internet Fraud Scandal
In a major move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s cybercrime enforcement, a Lagos Federal High Court has sentenced and ordered the deportation of four Filipino nationals found guilty of cyberterrorism and internet fraud. The ruling, delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro in Ikoyi, adds another layer of urgency to the country’s growing concern over foreign involvement in local cyber offenses.
This case, which also includes the conviction of seven Nigerian nationals, has stirred conversations not just about crime and punishment, but about how Nigeria is tackling the increasingly global nature of digital fraud.
⚖️ What Happened?
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the court found Reyna Mae Eriba, Chyna Samonte, Zara Fabian, and Dominique Medina guilty of cybercrime-related offenses. Their crimes reportedly ranged from cyberterrorism to orchestrating complex internet scams using the identities of unsuspecting individuals.
Chyna Samonte, for instance, was accused of running an online syndicate that manipulated Nigerian youths into impersonating foreign nationals—essentially weaponizing identity theft to extract money from victims abroad.
Seven Nigerians were also convicted in related cases:
All pleaded guilty.
🧾 Sentences and Sanctions
Justice Bogoro sentenced the four Filipinos to one year in prison or a fine of ₦1 million each. In addition, the Nigerian Immigration Service has been directed to deport them within seven days of completing their sentences or paying their fines.
For the Nigerian convicts:
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Gbenga Shittu Solomon was sentenced to one year imprisonment or ₦700,000 fine,
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The rest were given one year or a ₦500,000 fine each.
Furthermore, the court ordered the forfeiture of all recovered items to the federal government—a standard procedure meant to strip criminals of tools and proceeds of crime.
🌍 The Bigger Picture: Foreign Actors in Local Cybercrime
While Nigeria has long battled with homegrown internet fraud (often referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo”), the participation of foreign nationals—especially in leading roles—is alarming. This case underscores how cybercrime is no longer an isolated or local phenomenon but a web of transnational operations.
What’s especially disturbing is the reported exploitation of local youth by foreign syndicates. It’s a chilling reminder that cybercrime networks feed on poverty, desperation, and lax regulatory oversight—and they’re increasingly sophisticated.
🚨 Why This Matters
The Lagos court’s decision is more than a routine sentencing; it’s a statement of intent. With the growing global pressure on Nigeria to clamp down on internet fraud, this ruling sends a message: the country is not a safe haven for digital criminals—foreign or local.
But while convictions and deportations may make headlines, they are just the tip of the iceberg. Real progress will depend on:
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Stronger cybersecurity frameworks
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Investment in digital literacy
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Coordinated international efforts to tackle the roots of cybercrime
🧠 Final Thoughts
The court’s ruling should be applauded—but also studied. Cybercrime isn’t going away anytime soon. As fraudsters get smarter and more global, Nigeria must continue to tighten its laws, upgrade its tech, and, above all, protect its young people from being recruited into these networks.
This case is a start, but real victory will come when the ecosystem that fuels such crimes is dismantled—piece by digital piece.
