Nigeria Begins Deportation of 192 Foreigners Convicted of Cyber Terrorism, Ponzi Scheme Scams

The Federal Government has commenced the deportation of 192 foreign nationals convicted of cyber terrorism and Ponzi scheme-related offences, in what authorities described as a major step in Nigeria’s fight against transnational financial crimes.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) confirmed on Sunday, August 17, 2025, that the deportation exercise began with the first batch of 42 Chinese and Philippine nationals, who departed the country on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Service, subsequent batches will be airlifted on Monday and Tuesday to complete the repatriation process. All the convicts had earlier been handed over to the Immigration Service for onward deportation.

The foreigners were part of 759 suspects arrested during a coordinated raid on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Following prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), 192 were convicted and sentenced for offences ranging from cyber fraud to operating a large-scale Ponzi scheme.

The EFCC disclosed that the convicts were employees and associates of Genting International Co. Limited, a syndicate accused of training operatives in fraudulent practices and using fake identities to defraud unsuspecting victims. Their offences contravened the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, described the convictions and deportations as “a milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime and financial fraud.”

“This marks a significant turning point in our anti-corruption efforts. The EFCC will intensify investigations, recover stolen assets, and restore national dignity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption drive,” he said.

The December 2024 raid, considered one of the most extensive anti-cybercrime operations in Nigeria’s history, uncovered a sophisticated foreign-run syndicate that authorities say posed serious threats to both Nigeria’s financial integrity and national security.

With the first deportation batch completed, security officials reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling similar networks operating within the country.