NIGERIA DEPORTS FIRST BATCH OF FOREIGN CYBERCRIME CONVICTS AFTER EFCC CRACKDOWN
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has commenced the deportation of foreign nationals recently convicted for cyber terrorism and Ponzi scheme offences.
On Sunday, 42 out of the 192 Chinese and Philippine nationals convicted by the Federal High Court in Lagos were deported to their home countries. The deportees, who were part of a large cybercrime syndicate, left Nigeria around 2:00 p.m. local time.
According to the EFCC, the convicts were among 759 persons arrested during a massive raid on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The Commission confirmed that additional batches of deportees will depart on Monday and Tuesday, having been handed over to the NIS for repatriation.
The syndicate had allegedly operated a large-scale cyber fraud and Ponzi scheme before being dismantled in the joint security operation. Investigations revealed that the group used fake online identities to defraud unsuspecting victims and trained employees of Genting International Co. Limited in fraudulent practices.
All 192 foreign nationals were prosecuted and convicted under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. Following a plea bargain agreement, the courts ordered their deportation after serving their jail terms.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, hailed the convictions and deportations as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s war against cybercrime. “This is a bold step in safeguarding our nation’s security and financial integrity. We will continue to intensify investigations, recover stolen funds, and uphold Nigeria’s dignity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption drive,” he said.
The December raid remains one of the largest anti-cybercrime operations in Nigeria’s history, underscoring the country’s determination to clamp down on transnational financial crimes.
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