By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned five individuals—four Chinese nationals and one Nigerian before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja for their involvement in a hotel review scam.
The suspects, identified as Liu Zhiwei, Chen Ye Qui, Zhang Xiao Wen, Lan Shun Bin, and Nwakama Chinyere Ogbonna, faced a three-count charge including conspiracy, cheating, and impersonation.
According to the charges, the accused used a fake identity, “Haron Koshear,” to deceive members of the public via Telegram, promoting non-five-star hotels as five-star establishments in exchange for $5 payments.
This was done with the intent to defraud unsuspecting individuals and businesses.
The prosecution, led by Maryam Aminu Ahmed, requested that the court set a trial date and have the defendants remanded in a correctional facility.
The defense, represented by Yahaya Dangana, SAN, requested bail for the accused.
Justice Aliyu Halilu adjourned the case until March 27, 2025, to hear the bail applications, while ordering the defendants to be remanded in correctional facilities in Kuje and Suleja.
These individuals were part of a larger group of 105 suspects arrested by the EFCC on Jan. 9, 2025, for allegedly conducting a global scam involving fraudulent hotel reviews.
