Key Facts
• August 21, 2025: Nigeria announced deportation of 102 foreign nationals.
• Breakdown: 60 Chinese, 39 Filipinos, 2 Kazakhs, 1 Tunisian.
• Deportees convicted of cyberterrorism and internet fraud.
• Arrests part of December 2024 raid in Lagos targeting 792 suspects.
• Among 792 arrested, 192 were foreigners, including 148 Chinese nationals.
• Nigeria’s EFCC exposed hideouts teaching fraud techniques.
• Foreign syndicates employed Nigerians for phishing scams targeting U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
• Experts cite Nigeria’s weak cybersecurity as a key factor for syndicate operations.
Summary
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) deported 102 foreign nationals, including 60 Chinese and 39 Filipinos, for cyberterrorism and internet fraud. The deportations followed a December 2024 raid in Lagos, where 792 suspects were arrested, including 192 foreigners. EFCC uncovered hideouts teaching fraud techniques and revealed that foreign syndicates exploited Nigeria’s weak cybersecurity to target victims in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Further deportations are expected in the coming days.
