Nigeria deports 50 Chinese nationals in major cybercrime crackdown

Nigeria has deported 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian after they were convicted of cybercrime, in what authorities described as a sweeping crackdown on international cybercrime networks operating in the country.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed on Thursday that the deportations bring the total number of foreign nationals expelled since mid-August to 102. The action followed a joint operation between the EFCC and the Nigeria Immigration Service, which targeted suspected foreign-led fraud rings.

According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the deportees were among 192 individuals arrested in Lagos during a large-scale sting operation. Authorities said the group was part of one of Nigeria’s most extensive cybercrime syndicates uncovered in recent years.

The convictions and subsequent deportations mark a significant escalation in Nigeria’s effort to curb internet fraud, which has damaged the country’s international reputation and drained billions from global victims. Courts ordered the deportations after the offenders entered plea bargains and completed prison terms.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede described the move as a “milestone” in Nigeria’s battle against cybercrime and financial fraud, stressing that foreign-led crime rings pose a growing threat to national security and financial integrity.

This is not the first large-scale bust. In 2023, Nigerian authorities arrested nearly 800 suspects in a Lagos high-rise allegedly used as a hub for internet scams. Investigators said many of those schemes involved romance fraud and fake cryptocurrency investments designed to swindle victims abroad.

The latest wave of deportations highlights the increasing international dimension of cybercrime in Nigeria, where syndicates often operate across borders and use sophisticated digital tools to target individuals and businesses worldwide.

Authorities said more deportations are expected in the coming days as investigations continue. Officials emphasized that the crackdown reflects Nigeria’s determination to dismantle transnational crime networks and reassure investors of the country’s commitment to financial security.