Nigeria Deports 42 Chinese, Philippine Nationals Convicted of Cybercrime, Ponzi Schemes

 

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on Sunday, August 17, commenced the deportation of 42 foreign nationals—comprising Chinese and Philippine citizens—convicted of cybercrime and Ponzi scheme offences.

The deportees, who departed Nigeria at 2:00 p.m. local time, are the first batch of 192 foreign convicts ordered to be returned to their countries. Others are scheduled to be deported on Monday, August 18, and Tuesday, August 19.

They were among 759 suspects arrested in a large-scale raid carried out on December 10, 2023, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the syndicate ran an elaborate cyber fraud and Ponzi scheme before being dismantled in a joint security operation.

All 192 convicted foreigners—linked to Genting International Co. Limited—were found guilty of offences ranging from using fake online identities to defraud victims, to training employees in fraudulent practices. The charges were prosecuted under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, hailed the convictions and deportations as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime and financial fraud.
“These convictions demonstrate Nigeria’s resolve to safeguard its financial system and national security against criminal networks,” he said.