Full List: Lagos Court Jails Eight Filipinos for Cybercrime in Major Internet Fraud Bust (Photos)

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced eight Filipino nationals to one year in prison each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. The court, presided over by Justice Alexander Owoeye, handed down the sentence on May 27 after the accused pleaded guilty to charges related to possession of fraudulent documents and involvement in internet crimes.

The convicted individuals—Beverlyn Casino, Mae Eribal, Mary Grace Dela Cruz, Jamal Polea, Tricia Castro, Rai Camara, Cherry De Leon, and Danica Jarapan—were arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to the EFCC, the charges against them included using false documents and recruiting Nigerian youths to engage in identity theft while posing as foreigners to gain financial advantage.

One of the specific charges detailed how Beverlyn Casino was involved in orchestrating cyber activities aimed at destabilizing Nigeria’s economic and social structures by employing Nigerian youths for fraudulent activities. After pleading guilty, the defendants were each fined one million Naira alongside their prison terms.

Justice Owoeye also ordered the Nigeria Immigration Service to repatriate the convicts within seven days after they complete their sentences. Additionally, all devices recovered from the suspects have been forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The arrests followed a large EFCC operation in December 2024 on Victoria Island, Lagos, which led to the detention of 792 suspects involved in cybercrime activities.

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