Nigeria Deports 192 Over Cybercrime, Ponzi Scams

The Nigerian government has begun deporting 42 Chinese and Philippine nationals convicted of cyber terrorism and Ponzi scheme offences.

According to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the process kicked off today, Sunday, August 17, 2025.

The first batch of deportees, drawn from 192 convicts, was scheduled to leave Nigeria on Sunday afternoon.

They were part of 759 suspects arrested during a sweeping raid on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

NIS confirmed that more batches of convicts will be flown out on Monday and Tuesday to conclude the repatriation exercise.

All convicted individuals have been handed over to Immigration officials for immediate deportation to their countries of origin.

Investigations revealed that the syndicate was running a massive cyber fraud and Ponzi network before being dismantled in a coordinated sting operation.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which prosecuted the cases, secured convictions of 192 foreigners—mainly Chinese and Philippine nationals—linked to the fraudulent scheme.

The charges included impersonating victims online, training staff of Genting International Co. Limited in fraudulent tactics, and other offences under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

According to the EFCC, the crimes posed serious threats to Nigeria’s financial system and national security.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, hailed the convictions and deportations as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s battle against cybercrime and financial scams.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s determination to expand investigations, recover stolen assets, and safeguard the country’s integrity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption agenda.

The December raid, regarded as one of Nigeria’s largest anti-cybercrime operations, signaled a decisive step in the fight against cross-border financial fraud.