Nigeria Deports 192 Foreigners Convicted of Cybercrime

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has commenced the deportation of 192 Chinese and Philippine Nationals convicted of cyber terrorism and Ponzi scheme offenses. The deportees, who were among 759 suspects arrested in a major raid in December 2024, will be airlifted out of the country in batches.
According to sources, the first batch of 42 deportees will depart Nigeria on Sunday afternoon, with additional batches following on Monday and Tuesday. The deportation process is part of a larger effort by the Nigerian Government to crack down on transnational cybercrime networks operating within the country.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) played a key role in securing the convictions, with the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, describing the deportations as a milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime and financial fraud. The EFCC has been working to intensify investigations, recover looted funds, and restore National dignity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption drive.
The arrests were made during a major raid on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The operation was conducted by a joint task force comprising the EFCC and other security Agencies. The suspects were found to be operating a large-scale cyber fraud and Ponzi scheme, using fake identities online to defraud victims and training employees in fraudulent practices.
The deportation of the convicted foreign Nationals sends a strong message that Nigeria will not tolerate cybercrime and financial fraud. The EFCC’s efforts demonstrate the Country’s commitment to combating transnational cybercrime networks and protecting its citizens from the scourge of cybercrime.