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A federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted 12 Filipinos for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The convicts are Anjeanette Topacio, Gladys Joy Mag-Iba, Jean Calago, Shairah Mae Reyes, Roseann Gonzales, Lari Jane Tayag, Mary Grace De La Cruz, Krystel Aquilesca, Jonilyn Agulto, Paizza Camara, Vivian Pionella, and Jonalyn Mendoza.
They were arraigned on Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate charges of fraud.
Anjeanette Topacio was accused of destabilising Nigeria’s economic and social structures by recruiting Nigerian youths to engage in identity theft and impersonate foreign nationals for financial gain.
Topacio’s actions contravened the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), and the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Shairah Mae Reyes was found in possession of false documents obtained via Telegram, where she posed as a UK-based woman in a fraudulent scheme, an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
