Lagos, Nigeria— The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has deported 42 foreign nationals convicted of cybercrime and Ponzi scheme offences, marking a significant step in the nation’s anti-corruption campaign.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, the deportees—comprising Chinese and Philippine nationals—were part of the 192 foreigners recently convicted by the Federal High Court in Lagos. They were arraigned following investigations and prosecutions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The deportation represents the first batch of convicted cybercriminals to be expelled from Nigeria. Officials confirmed that the remaining convicted foreigners will be deported in phases, with additional groups scheduled to depart on Monday and Tuesday.
The EFCC disclosed that the convicts were among 759 individuals arrested during a large-scale raid on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The raid, which was described as one of the most extensive cybercrime operations in Nigeria’s history, uncovered a sophisticated international syndicate involved in fraudulent schemes.
Court documents revealed that the charges against the deported individuals included online impersonation, defrauding unsuspecting victims through false identities, and training employees of Genting International Co. Limited in fraudulent cyber practices. These actions, prosecutors argued, violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006.
EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, hailed the deportation as a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against financial crime. He stressed that cybercrime poses grave threats to both Nigeria’s security and global financial integrity.
“This development is a significant milestone in our mission to protect Nigeria’s economy from criminal exploitation,” Olukoyede stated. He further assured that the Commission remains committed to thorough investigations, recovery of stolen assets, and safeguarding Nigeria’s international reputation in line with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption agenda.
The EFCC emphasized that the crackdown serves as a strong warning to criminal networks operating within Nigeria’s borders. Officials noted that the successful prosecution and deportation of the convicts underscore the government’s determination to dismantle transnational financial crime syndicates.
Observers describe the December raid and subsequent convictions as a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime, one that demonstrates both improved inter-agency collaboration and firm political will.
By Makinde oyinkansola| August 17, 2025
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