Nigeria Deports Over 190 Chinese, Philippine Nationals Convicted of Cybercrime
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has commenced the deportation of 192 Chinese and Philippine nationals convicted of cyber terrorism and Ponzi scheme offences.
OTN News further reports as gathered that the first batch of 42 convicts departed Nigeria this Sunday afternoon, marking the start of a mass repatriation exercise.
The deportees were among 759 suspects arrested during a major raid on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to the NIS, additional batches of deportees will be airlifted on Monday and Tuesday, thereby completing the repatriation process. All the convicts, following their prosecution and sentencing, have been transferred to the Immigration Service for onward deportation to their home countries.
The officials further revealed that, the syndicates had been operating a large-scale cyber fraud network and Ponzi scheme before being rounded up in the December raid, which has been described as one of Nigeria’s most extensive anti-cybercrime operations.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which prosecuted the cases, confirmed that a total of 192 foreigners, comprising Chinese and Philippine nationals, were convicted in connection with the scam.
Several charges included using fake identities online to defraud unsuspecting victims, training employees of Genting International Co. Limited in fraudulent practices, and other offences under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, hailed the convictions and deportations as a milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime and financial fraud.
He pledged the Commission’s commitment to intensify investigations, recover looted funds, and restore national dignity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption agenda.
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