Nigeria cracks down: 102 foreign cybercriminals deported in anti-scam push

Nigeria has deported 102 foreign nationals convicted of cybercrime-related offenses, including cryptocurrency scams, in the latest phase of a broad crackdown. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the deportation, with 60 Chinese nationals and 39 Filipinos among those repatriated. The group was convicted in a federal high court in June, following an investigation that began in December 2024 with the dismantling of their operational base in Lagos. This action marks a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat the growing menace of online fraud, particularly those targeting victims abroad with cryptocurrency investment schemes and romance scams. The EFCC has signaled that further deportations are imminent, as part of a broader strategy to curb internet-based criminal activities.

The EFCC’s intervention comes amid a surge in cybercrime in Nigeria, which has been exacerbated by the exploitation of high illiteracy rates and the lure of quick financial gains. A notable case highlighted by the agency involves the Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) investment scheme, which defrauded users of significant sums and led to severe financial and psychological distress. The EFCC emphasized that these foreign-led criminal networks often recruit young Nigerian accomplices through promises of financial reward, using phishing and social engineering tactics to target victims in North America, Europe, and other regions. The agency has also focused on dismantling training centers for these fraud operations, which have become known locally as “Yahoo Boys.”

The recent deportations are part of a larger operation dubbed “Eagle Flush,” which was initiated based on “actionable intelligence” received by the EFCC. In a single swoop last week, 192 foreigners were arrested in Lagos, with 148 of them being Chinese nationals. This follows a similar operation in December 2024, during which 700 suspects were apprehended, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals. These arrests were linked to an organized network where foreign operators collaborated with local individuals to carry out scams. The EFCC has attributed the rise in cybercrime to high unemployment, a thriving informal economy, and weak regulatory oversight, which have created fertile ground for fraudulent activities.

Nigeria is not the only country targeting such scams. Interpol recently led Operation Serengeti 2.0, a cross-border initiative involving 18 African nations and the U.K., which resulted in the arrest of over 1,200 cybercriminals and the confiscation of more than $97.4 million. The operation uncovered extensive fraud networks, including a large-scale crypto investment scam in Zambia that defrauded 65,000 people of $300 million. In Angola, 25 illegal crypto mining centers were shut down, with over $37 million worth of equipment seized and repurposed for energy distribution in underserved areas. These coordinated efforts underscore the global nature of cybercrime and the necessity for international collaboration to address it effectively.

The EFCC’s actions have also drawn attention from global technology companies. For instance, Meta has taken down thousands of accounts and Facebook groups linked to online sextortion and scamming activities in Nigeria. These groups were used to educate scammers on tactics to defraud victims, often by posing as young women and blackmailing individuals after obtaining explicit content. As cybercriminals increasingly use sophisticated methods to evade detection, the EFCC has prioritized enhancing its investigative capabilities and intelligence-sharing with international partners. This has included training in blockchain analytics and ransomware detection, aimed at staying ahead of evolving digital threats.

The deportations and broader clampdown on cybercrime reflect a growing global awareness of the economic and social costs of digital fraud. Nigeria’s aggressive approach aligns with international efforts to disrupt transnational criminal networks and protect vulnerable populations from exploitation. As the EFCC continues to process and deport additional foreign nationals, it remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s legal and regulatory frameworks to prevent the recurrence of such crimes. The focus on collaboration—both domestically and internationally—signals a shift in the way cybercrime is being addressed, with a stronger emphasis on prevention, interception, and long-term deterrence.

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[1] title1 (https://www.cryptopolitan.com/nigeria-foreign-convicted-crypto-romance/)

[2] title2 (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89059k37ezo)

[3] title3 (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-200-criminals-arrested-crypto-140048958.html)