NIGERIA has commenced the deportation of foreign nationals convicted of cybercrime and Ponzi scheme offences, marking a major step in its ongoing fight against financial fraud and transnational crime.
On Sunday, August 18, 2025, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) deported the first batch of 42 foreign convicts, consisting of Chinese and Philippine nationals, back to their home countries. They were part of a syndicate of 192 foreigners found guilty of large-scale cyber terrorism, Ponzi schemes, and financial fraud.
The deportees were scheduled to leave Nigeria at exactly 2:00 p.m. local time, with additional batches set to depart on Monday and Tuesday. All convicted individuals have been officially handed over to the Immigration Service for processing and removal.
The convicts were among 759 suspects arrested during a massive joint operation by security operatives on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The operation, coordinated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been described as one of the largest anti-cybercrime raids in Nigeria’s history.
Following extensive prosecution, the EFCC secured convictions against 192 Chinese and Philippine nationals. According to court documents, charges included:
Using fake online identities to defraud unsuspecting victims.
Training employees of Genting International Co. Limited in fraudulent schemes.
Operating elaborate Ponzi-style investments to swindle Nigerians and foreigners alike.
The offences contravened provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Speaking on the development, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede described the deportations as “a landmark in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime and financial fraud.” He emphasized that the Commission remains committed to restoring Nigeria’s international reputation, recovering stolen funds, and dismantling organized criminal networks.
“This is not just about convictions; it is about sending a clear message that Nigeria will no longer serve as a safe haven for fraudsters. Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are intensifying investigations and ensuring that justice is delivered without compromise,” Olukoyede stated.
The anti-graft chief further noted that the December raid and subsequent convictions signal a turning point in Nigeria’s war against transnational financial crimes.
With 42 deported already and more than 150 convicts awaiting removal, authorities say this operation underscores Nigeria’s zero-tolerance stance on cybercrime, a crime that has plagued its economy and reputation for decades.