The Nigerian government has deported 51 foreign nationals convicted of cyber-related crimes, marking the conclusion of a major crackdown on international cybercrime syndicates operating within the country.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), working alongside the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), executed the latest deportation exercise in Lagos, a statement from the EFCC revealed Sunday.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the group includes 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian, bringing the total number of foreign offenders deported for cybercrime-related convictions in Lagos to 192.
The deportees were sent out of Nigeria on October 16, closing a series of deportations that began in mid-August.
The crackdown followed a large-scale sting operation carried out by the EFCC on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, which led to the arrest and prosecution of 759 suspects.
Those convicted faced charges ranging from cyber-terrorism and internet fraud to money laundering and Ponzi scheme operations.
Oyewale noted that the Federal High Court in Lagos handed down convictions, after which deportation orders were issued in accordance with court rulings and immigration laws.
The first group of 42 convicts, composed of Chinese and Filipino nationals, was deported on August 15, with subsequent groups leaving Nigeria over the following two months.
The foreign nationals hail from several countries including China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste.
The EFCC described the offenders as members of an elaborate cybercrime syndicate, operating under the guise of Genting International Co. Limited.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate specialized in large-scale online fraud, identity theft, and Ponzi schemes targeting both local and international victims.
Further evidence showed that the convicts played key roles in training new recruits and managing digital platforms designed to facilitate fraudulent activities on a global scale.
The Nigerian Immigration Service, following court directives, handled the deportations in a coordinated effort with relevant security agencies.
This extensive operation underscores Nigeria’s commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting its financial systems from exploitation by foreign and domestic criminals alike.
