The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned four Chinese nationals and one Nigerian before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, over their alleged involvement in a fraudulent hotel review scheme, ABN TV reports.
The defendants, Liu Zhiwei, Chen Ye Qui, Zhang Xiao Wen, Lan Shun Bin, and Nwakama Chinyere Ogbonna (alias Haron Koshear), were charged with conspiracy, cheating, and impersonation.
According to the EFCC, the accused allegedly conspired in December 2024 to falsely promote hotels in London as five-star establishments through fake reviews in exchange for a $5 payment per review. The fraudulent activities were carried out via Telegram, deceiving unsuspecting members of the public.
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During their arraignment before Justice Aliyu Halilu, the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecution counsel Maryam Aminu Ahmed requested the court to set a date for the commencement of trial and remand the suspects in custody.
However, defense counsel Yahaya Dangana, SAN, informed the court of a bail application for the accused.
After hearing both sides, Justice Halilu adjourned the case to March 27, 2025, for the bail hearing. He also ordered that the four Chinese nationals be remanded at Kuje Correctional Center, while the Nigerian defendant, Nwakama Chinyere Ogbonna, be held at Suleja Correctional Center.
The suspects were among 105 individuals arrested by EFCC operatives on January 9, 2025, in Gudu, Abuja. The anti-graft agency alleges that the group operated a syndicate that scammed victims and misrepresented hotels in Europe and other parts of the world.
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to tackling cyber fraud and ensuring that those involved in deceptive online activities face justice.
The court is set to reconvene on March 27, 2025, for the hearing of bail applications, after which the trial will commence.
