The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has deported 42 Chinese and Philippine nationals after their conviction for cyber fraud and ponzi scheme offences.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the first group of deportees left Lagos on Sunday afternoon, while others are scheduled to depart on Monday and Tuesday.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said the syndicate was behind a massive cyber fraud and Ponzi operation that targeted victims outside Nigeria. The criminal network was dismantled following a joint raid and investigation.
After their conviction in court, the foreign nationals were transferred to the NIS for deportation. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede hailed the convictions and deportations as “a milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime,” stressing that the agency will continue to pursue stolen funds, strengthen enforcement, and protect the nation’s global image in line with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption drive.
The crackdown followed a December 2024 raid on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, where 759 suspects — including Nigerians, Chinese, Arabs, and Filipinos — were arrested.
A Federal High Court in Lagos recently ordered the final forfeiture of $222,729.86 worth of digital assets (USDT) linked to some of the convicted Chinese nationals. In his ruling, Justice Alexander Owoeye declared that the assets were proceeds of cyberterrorism and internet fraud.
Court records also revealed that the syndicate conducted its operations through a Nigerian-registered company, Genting International Co. Limited, which maintained a Union Bank account that received over N2.26 billion between April and December 2024. EFCC investigators said much of the money was moved through cryptocurrency vendors.
Want to publish a news story, press release, statement, article or biography on
www.africapublicity.com?
Send it to us via
WhatsApp on +233543452542 or email
africapublicityandproductions@gmail.com or to our editor through
melvintarlue2022@gmail.com.