Twelve Filipino nationals were found guilty of cyberterrorism and internet fraud and given one-year prison sentences by the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
792 people, including Nigerians and foreign citizens, are suspected of being part of an online fraud and cyberterrorism network, including the convicted offenders. They were apprehended in Lagos in December as part of a historic EFCC operation, which was the biggest cybercrime syndicate bust in Nigerian history.
Following the 12 foreigners’ guilty pleas to the accusations brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), trial judge Yellin Bogoro delivered the verdict on Friday.
Among the prisoners are Gladys Joy Mag-Iba, Lari Jane Tayag, Shairah Mae Reyes, Roseann Gonzales, Jean Calago, and Anjeanette Topacio.
The remaining individuals are Vivian Pionella, Paizza Camara, Jonilyn Agulto, Krystel Aquilesca, Jonalyn Mendoza, and Mary Grace De La Cruz.
They were charged with separate counts of possessing false documents and related cybercrime offenses, according to a statement released by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Friday.
One of the indictments, for example, claimed that Anjeanette Topacio intentionally facilitated computer system access in Lagos sometime in December 2024 with the goal of upending Nigeria’s social and economic order. The defendant falsely represented themselves as foreigners in order to obtain Nigerian youngsters for identity theft, the count added.
According to a charge against her, Ms. Reyes violated the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act by allegedly possessing a Telegram message containing fraudulent identity claims. He mentioned that N.K. Ukoha and H.U. Kofarnaisa, the prosecution’s attorneys, requested the court to convict and sentence the defendants appropriately after they entered their pleas.
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Mr Bogoro sentenced each convict to one year in prison with an option of a N1 million fine.
In addition, the judge mandated that they return to the Philippines within seven days after serving their time.
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In February 2025, the court remanded 14 Filipino people, including the convictions, for alleged bitcoin fraud and other computer offenses.
They were among 792 suspects that were taken into custody by the EFCC on December 10, 2024, as part of a massive raid on No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The EFCC claims that the syndicate targeted Nigerian and foreign victims with identity theft, romance scams, and cryptocurrency investment fraud.
With 158 foreign nationals among the 792 suspects, the anti-graft agency said that the crackdown was the Commission’s largest one-day anti-cybercrime operation.
Other groups of defendants who have been arraigned in court thus far have insisted on their innocence, while 12 of the Filipino nationals chose to enter a plea bargain and are now convicted.
Rachelle Cabalona, Dominique Medina, Zara Fabian, and Marj Maranga are among those still on trial.
