The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigeria Immigration Service have repatriated 51 more foreigners convicted of internet fraud and cyber-terrorism.
The deportees, made up of 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian, were flown out of the country on Thursday. This brings the total number of convicted foreigners deported since the exercise began on August 15.
According to the EFCC, the foreigners were among 192 people arrested during a sting operation in Lagos after intelligence revealed the operations of a major foreign-led cybercrime syndicate in Nigeria.
The anti-graft agency said more deportations would follow in the coming days.
Last Sunday, 42 convicts, including Chinese and Philippine nationals, were also deported after serving their jail terms. They were part of a group of 759 suspects arrested in a major raid on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The EFCC said the syndicate ran a large-scale cyber fraud and Ponzi scheme that targeted victims globally.
The charges filed against the foreigners included online fraud using fake identities, training employees of Genting International Co. Limited on fraudulent practices, and other offences under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede described the operation and the deportations as a major step in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime.
“This shows that Nigeria will not be a safe haven for criminals who think they can use our country as a base for fraud,” Olukoyede said.
