The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria has successfully completed the deportation of 192 foreign nationals convicted of various cybercrimes and financial offenses. The deportations, carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), took place between August 15, 2025, and October 16, 2025.
The operation, which marked one of the country’s most extensive cybercrime crackdowns, began with the arrest of 759 suspects on December 10, 2024, during a coordinated sting operation at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The suspects were found to be operating from the premises of Genting International Co. Limited, allegedly used as a front for large-scale online fraud and Ponzi investment schemes. Investigations revealed that the syndicate was engaged in identity theft, cyber-enabled Ponzi schemes, and international financial scams, with many of the convicts training local recruits and managing digital platforms to defraud unsuspecting investors globally.
The Federal High Court in Lagos subsequently convicted the foreign nationals on charges of cybercrime, money laundering, and fraudulent investment operations, leading to their deportation in accordance with Nigerian immigration and penal laws. The deportees, comprising nationals from China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste, were repatriated in phases, with the first batch of 42 convicts deported in mid-August, followed by other groups in September and October.
The final batch, consisting of 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian, was deported on October 16, 2025, marking the end of the months-long operation. The EFCC’s efforts to combat cybercrime and financial offenses are part of a broader crackdown on these crimes, which have significant economic and social implications for Nigeria and the global community. The successful deportation of these foreign nationals serves as a deterrent to potential cybercriminals and demonstrates the Nigerian authorities’ commitment to addressing these complex and evolving crimes.