PHOTOS: EFCC, Immigration Conclude Deportation of 192 Foreign Cybercrime Convicts

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), has completed the deportation of 192 foreign nationals convicted of cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and related financial crimes in Lagos.

The final batch of 51 convicts—comprising 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian—was repatriated on 16 October 2025, marking the successful conclusion of the exercise which began on 15 August.

According to the EFCC, the operation followed the arrest and prosecution of 759 suspects during a major sting operation conducted on 10 December 2024 at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The deportations were carried out in compliance with court directives after the Federal High Court in Lagos convicted the offenders for crimes bordering on cybercrime, money laundering, and Ponzi scheme operations.

The first batch of 42 convicts, mostly Chinese and Filipino nationals, was deported on 15 August 2025, with subsequent batches following throughout August and September.

In total, the 192 deported individuals included nationals from China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste.

Investigations revealed that the convicts were part of a sophisticated cybercrime and Ponzi scheme network operating under the cover of Genting International Co. Limited. Acting on credible intelligence, the EFCC uncovered evidence showing that the group ran fraudulent online platforms, trained recruits, and orchestrated identity theft and financial scams targeting victims both locally and internationally.

The Nigerian Immigration Service executed the deportations in line with judicial orders and standard immigration protocols.