The Federal Government of Nigeria has concluded the deportation of 192 foreign nationals convicted for cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), announced on Saturday that the final batch of 51 convicted foreigners, including 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian, were deported on October 16, 2025, effectively concluding the repatriation process.
This marks the final phase of a major anti-cybercrime crackdown that began with the arrest of 759 suspects during a sting operation on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The deportation exercise officially began on August 15, 2025, following the conviction and sentencing of the offenders by the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The first batch of 42 convicts, comprising nationals of China and the Philippines, were deported on August 15.
Several other batches were processed and repatriated throughout August and September.
The final group of 51 departed Nigeria in mid-October, bringing the total number of deported convicts to 192.
The foreign nationals deported came from China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste.
According to an EFCC statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the convicts were deported in line with court directives and immigration protocols.
The EFCC revealed that all deported convicts were arrested alongside Nigerian accomplices believed to be members of a sophisticated cybercrime and Ponzi scheme syndicate operating under the name Genting International Co. Limited.
Investigations revealed that the foreign nationals coordinated large-scale online fraud and identity theft, managed fraudulent digital investment platforms, recruited and trained locals to perpetrate scams and targeted victims both locally and internationally.
“Evidence showed that these individuals created and managed fraudulent platforms with the intent to deceive and defraud unsuspecting victims. Their activities were orchestrated to appear legitimate while exploiting loopholes in digital finance systems,” the EFCC stated.
The Nigeria Immigration Service carried out the deportation in accordance with the court’s ruling.
The successful deportation underscores the Nigerian government’s resolve to tackle cybercrime and cross-border financial fraud.
Authorities have vowed to continue cracking down on local and international cyber syndicates operating within the country.
