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 operation, carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), took place between August 15 and October 16, 2025 and represents one of the country’s most extensive cyber‑crime crackdowns.
The crackdown began on December 10, 2024, when a coordinated sting operation on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, led to the arrest of 759 suspects. The suspects were operating from the premises of Genting International Co. Limited, which investigators allege was used as a front for large‑scale online fraud and Ponzi investment schemes. Further investigations revealed that the syndicate engaged in identity theft, cyber‑enabled Ponzi schemes, and international financial scams, with many convicts training local recruits and managing digital platforms to defraud investors worldwide.
The Federal High Court in Lagos subsequently convicted the foreign nationals on charges of cybercrime, money laundering, and fraudulent investment operations. In accordance with Nigerian immigration and penal laws, the convicted individuals were deported in phases. The first batch of 42 convicts left Nigeria in mid‑August, followed by additional groups in September and October. The final batch, comprising 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian, was deported on October 16, 2025, concluding the months‑long operation.
The EFCC’s efforts form part of a broader crackdown on cybercrime and financial offenses, 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.
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