The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), has deported the remaining 51 foreign nationals convicted and sentenced for cyber terrorism, internet fraud, and related financial crimes in Lagos State.
This brought the repatriation of the 192 foreigners involved in the crimes to a close.
The deportation exercise, according to the EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, followed the arrest and prosecution of 759 suspects during a major sting operation conducted by the anti-financial crime agency on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The deportation exercise began on Friday, August 15, after the conviction of the offenders by the Federal High Court in Lagos for offences bordering on cybercrime, money laundering, and ponzi scheme operations, with the first batch of 42 convicts, comprising Chinese and Filipino nationals.
Subsequent batches followed throughout August and September, while the final batch of 51 convicts, including 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian, departed Nigeria on October 16, bringing the total number of repatriated foreigners to 192.
The deported convicts include nationals of China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste.
All the deported convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested with their Nigerian accomplices believed to be members of a sophisticated cybercrime and ponzi scheme syndicate operating under the cover of Genting International Company Limited.
The operation, based on credible, actionable intelligence and subsequent investigations, confirmed that the convicted foreigners were involved in large-scale online fraud, identity theft, and cyber-enabled Ponzi schemes.
Evidence revealed that they trained recruits and managed fraudulent digital platforms aimed at defrauding victims both locally and internationally.
The Nigeria Immigration Service deported them as directed by the court.
