The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), has deported another batch of 51 foreign nationals convicted of cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and related financial crimes in Lagos.
In a statement on Sunday in Abuja, EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the latest deportation marks the final phase of the operation, bringing the total number of foreign convicts deported from Lagos State to 192.
According to Oyewale, the last batch comprising 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian was deported on October 16. The exercise followed a large-scale sting operation carried out by the EFCC on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, which led to the arrest of 759 suspects.
He explained that the deportation exercise began on August 15, following the conviction of the offenders by the Federal High Court in Lagos for offences bordering on cybercrime, money laundering, and Ponzi scheme operations.
“The first batch of 42 convicts, comprising Chinese and Filipino nationals, was deported on August 15, with subsequent batches following throughout August and September,” he stated.
Oyewale further revealed that the deported convicts included nationals of China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste. They were deported in coordinated batches between August and mid-October 2025 in compliance with court directives and immigration protocols.
He added that all the deported convicts, along with their Nigerian accomplices, were members of a sophisticated cybercrime and Ponzi scheme syndicate operating under the guise of Genting International Co. Limited.
“Based on credible intelligence and investigations, it was confirmed that the convicted foreigners were engaged in large-scale online fraud, identity theft, and cyber-enabled Ponzi schemes,” Oyewale said, noting that evidence showed they trained recruits and managed fraudulent digital platforms targeting both local and international victims.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service carried out the deportation as directed by the court,” he added.
