The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has concluded the deportation of 192 foreign nationals convicted of cybercrime, internet fraud, and related financial offenses in Lagos.
The operation, carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Correctional Service, saw the final batch of 51 convicts repatriated on October 16, 2025, marking the end of the extensive deportation exercise.
According to a statement posted by the EFCC on its X handle on Saturday, the deportations followed the arrest and prosecution of 759 suspects during a major sting operation conducted on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The agency added that all those deported had been convicted by the Federal High Court for offenses including cyberterrorism, money laundering, and operating fraudulent Ponzi schemes.
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“The first batch of 42 convicts comprising Chinese and Filipino nationals was deported on August 15, 2025. Subsequent batches followed throughout August and September.
“The final batch of 51 convicts, including 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian, departed Nigeria on October 16, 2025, bringing the total number of repatriated foreigners to 192.
“The deported convicts include nationals of China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste.
“They were deported in coordinated batches between August and mid-October 2025, in accordance with court directives and immigration procedures. All the deported convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested with their Nigerian accomplices, believed to be members of a sophisticated cybercrime and ponzi scheme syndicate operating under the cover of Genting International Co. Limited,” EFCC stated.
EFCC added that the operation, based on credible, actionable intelligence and subsequent investigations, confirmed that the convicted foreigners were involved in large-scale online fraud, identity theft, and cyber-enabled Ponzi schemes.
“Evidence revealed that they trained recruits and managed fraudulent digital platforms aimed at defrauding victims both locally and internationally. The Nigeria Immigration Service deported them as directed by the court,” EFCC averred.
