The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) concluded the deportation of 192 foreign nationals, who were convicted of online scams, cyber-terrorism and various financial crimes in Lagos.
The last batch of 51 prisoners comprising 50 Chinese nationals and a Tunisian were repatriated on Oct 16, 2025, in a culmination of a gargantuan scale repatriation exercise which began in August.
The deportations, according to EFCC publicist Dele Oyewale, followed the conviction of the offenders by the Federal High Court in Lagos for crimes spanning cybercrime, money laundering, and Ponzi scheme operations. The exercise was a culmination of a massive sting operation conducted by the EFCC on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, wherein 759 suspects were rounded up.
Oyewale explained that the first batch of 42 convicts, comprising Chinese and Filipino nationals, was repatriated on August 15, 2025, while others were repatriated throughout August and September. The convicts, who were sourced from China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste, were deported in line with court orders and immigration procedures.
Investigations revealed that the foreigners were members of a syndicate of organized cybercrime and Ponzi scheme operating under the name Genting International Co. Limited. They were convicted of internet-enabled mass online fraud, identity theft, and investment scams facilitated using the internet to recruit new members and operate fake digital platforms to swindle victims locally and abroad.
EFCC verified that the deportations were made by the Nigeria Immigration Service at the behest of the court, marking the end of the mass cybercrime raid.
