The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) will today, Sunday, August 18, 2025, commence the deportation of 42 Chinese and Philippine nationals convicted of cyber terrorism and Ponzi scheme offences. The group, which forms the first batch out of 192 convicts, is scheduled to leave Nigeria this afternoon. They were part of the 759 suspects arrested on December 10, 2024, during a major raid on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. According to NIS, more batches will be airlifted on Monday and Tuesday to complete the repatriation process.
The convicts were transferred to the Immigration Service after their sentencing for onward deportation to their home countries.Investigations revealed that the syndicate had been running a large-scale cyber fraud and Ponzi scheme before being busted in the joint operation. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which prosecuted the cases, confirmed that all 192 foreigners—Chinese and Philippine nationals—were convicted.Charges included online impersonation to defraud victims, training staff of Genting International Co. Limited in fraudulent schemes, and other offences under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, hailed the convictions and deportations as a milestone in Nigeria’s anti-cybercrime campaign, stressing that the Commission would continue to investigate, recover stolen funds, and protect national security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption agenda. The December 2024 raid is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most extensive crackdowns on transnational financial crimes, marking a decisive step in the country’s fight against cyber fraud.
Source: https://saharareporters.com/
