EFCC, Immigration Repatriate 51 Foreign Cybercrime Convicts in Ongoing Crackdown on Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has repatriated 51 foreign nationals convicted of cybercrime and cyber-terrorism offenses. The recent deportation comprised 50 Chinese citizens and one Tunisian, raising the total number of convicted foreign nationals deported since the operation began on August 15, 2025, to 102.

These convicts were among 192 foreigners arrested in a major EFCC sting operation targeting a large foreign-led cybercrime syndicate in Lagos. The syndicate was involved in cyber fraud and Ponzi schemes that severely threatened Nigeria’s financial security and national integrity. Following convictions by the Federal High Court in Lagos, these individuals served their jail terms and have since been deported.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede emphasized that this repatriation illustrates Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring the country is not a safe haven for international cybercriminals. He reiterated that the EFCC will continue to intensify efforts to combat cybercrime, recover looted funds, and protect the nation’s digital and economic spaces in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption agenda.

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The deportation process is part of a broader crackdown on cybercrime masterminded by the EFCC following a significant raid conducted in December 2024 at Victoria Island, Lagos. This operation resulted in the arrest of 759 suspects, with 192 foreign nationals convicted on charges ranging from cyber terrorism to online identity fraud and fraudulent Ponzi schemes.

This latest batch of deportees leaves Nigeria as the joint EFCC-NIS campaign against cybercrime moves forward to ensure such illicit activities do not undermine the country’s economy or security.