Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of 73 Properties and Thousands of Devices Linked to Chinese Fraud Syndicate
The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the interim forfeiture of 73 properties and thousands of electronic devices tied to an alleged cyber-terrorism and internet fraud syndicate involving Chinese nationals.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu granted the order following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Genting International Co. on April 17, 2025.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the seized items include 1,596 laptops, 4,091 mobile phones, 350 foreign SIM cards, 3,399 Nigerian SIM cards, 194 routers, 205 sofas, 501 bunk beds, 754 mattresses, 40 refrigerators, and 10 microwaves. Other recovered assets were seven vehicles, 411 deep freezers, 21 UPS units, 14 inverters, fuel tanks, kitchen appliances, a network server, and even a spiral dough mixer.
The EFCC revealed that the items were confiscated during a surprise raid codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation” conducted on December 10, 2024, in Lagos.
The operation led to the arrest of 792 suspected members of the syndicate, who were allegedly involved in cryptocurrency scams and romance fraud schemes targeting victims across the globe.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu said:
“I have read the motion and attachments and found sufficient merit in the application. Consequently, the motion succeeds and is hereby granted.”
The court further ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper, inviting any interested parties to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture should not be granted in favor of the Federal Government of Nigeria.