The Nigerian Immigration Service on Sunday began the deportation of 42 out of 192 Chinese and Philippine nationals convicted of cyberterrorism and Ponzi scheme offences.
The first batch of deportees, who were among the 759 persons arrested during a major raid on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, departed Nigeria at 2:00 p.m. local time.
All the convicted foreigners were handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service, which is carrying out the deportation process in phases. The remaining convicts are scheduled for repatriation on Monday and Tuesday.
The syndicate had allegedly been operating a large-scale cyber fraud and Ponzi scheme before being apprehended in the joint operation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which prosecuted the cases, confirmed that the convicts ran an extensive cyberfraud and Ponzi network.
The EFCC chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, described the deportations as a “significant milestone” in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
He said, “These convictions send a strong signal that Nigeria will not serve as a haven for cybercriminals.
“The commission remains committed to intensifying investigations, recovering stolen funds, and restoring national dignity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption drive.”**
According to the EFCC, the charges against the convicts included using false identities to defraud victims, training employees of Genting International Co. Limited in fraudulent practices, and other offences under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Olukoyede added, “These offences were calculated to undermine Nigeria’s security and financial integrity. Their successful prosecution represents a turning point in the fight against transnational financial crimes.”
The December raid, regarded as one of Nigeria’s largest anti-cybercrime crackdowns, is seen as a defining step in the country’s battle against transnational financial offences.