Nigeria’s anti-graft agency announced the deportation of 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian after courts convicted them of cybercrime and large-scale internet fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) described the move as the country’s biggest single expulsion of foreign nationals for cyber-related offenses. Officials said those deported had operated sophisticated networks engaged in phishing scams, identity theft, and cryptocurrency fraud, preying on both Nigerians and foreign firms.

According to EFCC, the operation dismantled dozens of illegal servers and recovered millions of naira in assets linked to the networks. Investigators said the foreign nationals worked in coordination with local accomplices, exploiting weaknesses in online banking and crypto exchanges. Courts sentenced them to prison terms before ordering deportation, signaling a tougher approach by Abuja to international cyber syndicates.

Rising Threat Of Online Fraud

Cybercrime has surged in Nigeria, where fraud networks known as “Yahoo Yahoo” gangs already operate widely. Authorities said the involvement of foreign nationals has expanded the scale of the problem, with transnational links spreading scams across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Victims have included small businesses, individual bank customers, and multinational corporations. Officials warned that cryptocurrency-based fraud and ransomware are growing threats as syndicates evolve.

Nigeria’s government said it would intensify cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, including Interpol and regional partners, to curb cybercrime. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede stressed that the crackdown demonstrated Nigeria’s determination to protect its citizens and financial system. The Ministry of Interior added that stricter visa monitoring and company registration checks will be introduced to prevent further infiltration by foreign cybercriminals.