The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken legal action against 14 Filipino nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, over allegations of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. The suspects were brought before Justice Musa Kakaki at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC revealed that the defendants were part of a large syndicate involved in cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams. Their arrest was part of an operation known as “Eagle Flush,” conducted on December 10, 2024, in Lagos. The commission noted that the group was linked to a broader network of 792 individuals suspected of similar fraudulent activities.
The accused individuals include 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.
The charges against them cover multiple offenses, including cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents, and identity theft. One of the charges against Mary Grace Dela Cruz states:
*”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 organised to seriously destabilise 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.”
Similarly, Krystel Aquilesca was accused of fraudulently impersonating another person for financial gain. The charge 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.”
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to all charges. The prosecution team, represented by M.K. Bashir, N.K. Ukoha, and Bilkisu Buhari, requested the court to set a date for trial and to place the accused in a correctional facility pending further proceedings.
Justice Kakaki scheduled the trial for March 13, 2025, and ordered that the defendants remain in custody until then.
