
21/08/2025
EFCC and Immigration Deport 51 Foreign Nationals Convicted of Cybercrime
Iliyasu S. Yahaya
Abuja, Nigeria
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have jointly deported 51 foreign nationals convicted of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. The deportees include 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian, who were repatriated after serving their jail terms in Nigeria.
The convicts were among 192 foreign nationals arrested in Lagos during a sting operation by the EFCC, based on actionable intelligence about a large foreign-led cybercrime syndicate operating in Nigeria.
The group was linked to extensive internet fraud, cyber-terrorism networks, and financial scams that targeted both Nigerian citizens and international victims, causing millions of dollars in global losses.
The convicts entered into plea bargain agreements with the EFCC and were sentenced to one-year imprisonment each, with orders to forfeit assorted properties, devices, and digital assets recovered from them.
This latest deportation brings the total number of convicted foreign nationals repatriated to 102 since the operation began on August 15, 2025. Over 90 foreign nationals are still awaiting deportation.
The EFCC emphasized its commitment to purging Nigeria of cybercriminals, especially those exploiting the country's hospitality to perpetrate fraud and cyber-terrorism. The commission's efforts aim to protect Nigerians and ensure that foreign criminals face justice in their home countries.