On 18 August 2025, the Nigerian Immigration Service, in collaboration with the EFCC, deported 42 convicted Chinese and Philippine nationals for their role in a massive cybercrime and Ponzi scheme network. The deportations mark the first wave of 192 foreign offenders ordered out of Nigeria, underscoring the country’s largest-ever crackdown on transnational fraud and cyber-enabled financial crimes.
Background: From Lagos Raid to Court Convictions
According to the Channels TV, The operation stems from a 10 December 2024 EFCC raid on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos – one of the most significant anti-cybercrime actions in Nigeria’s history. During the raid, 759 suspects were arrested for involvement in online fraud, cyber terrorism, and Ponzi scheme operations.
After months of investigation, 192 foreign nationals (from China and the Philippines) were prosecuted before the Federal High Court in Lagos. They were convicted for offences under Nigeria’s Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, including:
- Use of fake digital identities to defraud individuals.
- Training staff of Genting International Co. Limited in fraudulent practices.
- Cyber terrorism and large-scale financial deception【source: ChannelsTV, 18 August 2025】.
Deportations Begin: The First Wave
On 18 August 2025, at approximately 2:00 p.m. local time, the first batch of 42 deportees left Lagos under the supervision of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
Images obtained by Channels Television showed several convicts boarding flights to their respective home countries. According to EFCC officials, the remaining 150 convicted foreigners will be deported in stages on 19 and 20 August 2025.
All convicts had been transferred to NIS custody immediately after serving their court-imposed jail terms, in line with Federal High Court deportation orders.
EFCC’s Stand: National Dignity and Financial Integrity
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede hailed the deportations as a milestone in Nigeria’s war against cyber-enabled financial fraud:
“These convictions and deportations reaffirm our commitment to dismantling cybercrime networks, recovering stolen funds, and restoring Nigeria’s financial integrity. The Commission remains resolute in advancing President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption drive,” Olukoyede stated on 18 August 2025.
The Commission confirmed that confiscated assets, including digital devices and financial accounts linked to the syndicate, are under forensic review for recovery and restitution measures.
Regional and Global Implications
Nigeria’s Leadership in Cybercrime Crackdown
The deportations highlight Nigeria’s increasing readiness to address transnational cybersecurity threats, which often involve foreign syndicates exploiting regulatory gaps in emerging markets.
Nigeria’s actions align with ECOWAS Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection commitments and strengthen its image as a regional leader in combating cyber-enabled fraud.
Global Context
The Lagos raid and subsequent convictions resonate internationally:
- China and the Philippines now face the responsibility of prosecuting or monitoring their nationals post-deportation.
- Law enforcement cooperation mirrors other global crackdowns, such as the 2023 takedown of LockBit ransomware operators by European and U.S. authorities.
Experts note that coordinated enforcement is critical to countering syndicates that span multiple jurisdictions.
Expert Perspectives
Dr. Confidence Staveley, Founder of CyberSafe Foundation, commented:
“Nigeria’s move is significant not just for deterrence, but also for showing that cybercriminals cannot hide under foreign passports. It sets a precedent for global collaboration against transnational fraud.”
EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale added:
“We have sent a clear message: Nigeria will no longer serve as a safe haven for organized financial crime. Our priority is safeguarding the digital and financial ecosystem.”
Actionable Takeaways for Security Leaders
- Prioritize cross-border intelligence sharing with law enforcement and regulators.
- Implement continuous monitoring of employee activities, particularly in high-risk financial and IT roles.
- Enhance training and awareness to detect social engineering tactics used in Ponzi and cyber fraud schemes.
- Audit third-party vendors and offshore partners for compliance with anti-fraud regulations.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all systems to prevent identity misuse.
- Invest in forensic readiness, ensuring rapid evidence collection during incidents.
- Strengthen endpoint detection and response (EDR) across enterprise and cloud environments.
- Align with national and regional compliance frameworks, such as Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015.
Conclusion
The deportation of 42 convicted cybercriminals is a turning point in Nigeria’s anti-fraud campaign, signaling tougher enforcement against international cybercrime. With 150 more deportations imminent, the case sets a precedent for regional and global cooperation against organized financial crime. The message is clear: cyber syndicates exploiting Nigeria’s digital and financial ecosystem will face coordinated investigation, prosecution, and removal.
