The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in conjunction with the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, and the Nigerian Correctional Service ,NCoS, has finalized the process of the deportation of 192 foreigners convicted for cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and other related financial crimes in the state.
The action marked the completion of a major cross-agency operation, followed the arrest and prosecution of no fewer than 759 suspects during a major sting operation carried out by the EFCC on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The EFCC disclosed that the deportation process commenced on Friday, August 15, 2025, after the convicts were sentenced by the Federal High Court in Lagos for offences having to do with cybercrime, money laundering, and Ponzi scheme operations.
The anti-graft body added that the first batch of 42 convicts, which included Chinese and Filipino nationals has been deported on August 15, while subsequent batches followed in the months of August and September.
EFCC said that the final batch of 51 convicts, including 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian, departed Nigeria on October 16, 2025, bringing the total number of deported foreigners to 192.
The deported individuals included nationals of China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste. Their removal was carried out in coordinated stages between August and mid-October 2025, in line with court directives and immigration regulations.
Investigations revealed that the convicts were part of a sophisticated cybercrime and Ponzi scheme syndicate operating under the cover of Genting International Co. Limited, in collaboration with some Nigerian accomplices.
The operation, the EFCC stated, based on credible intelligence, exposed large-scale online fraud, identity theft, and cyber-enabled Ponzi schemes targeting both local and international victims. Evidence further indicated that the foreigners not only managed the fraudulent platforms but also trained local recruits on how to execute the scams.
Sequel to securing their convictions, the Nigerian Immigration Service carried out their deportation according to the court.
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