Nigeria deports nearly 200 foreigners for involvement in major cybercrime network

Nigeria has deported 192 foreign nationals among the 759 suspects arrested during a December crackdown on a major cybercrime ring, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said in a statement.

The deportees were convicted of cyberterrorism, internet fraud, and related offenses.

Those expelled included citizens of China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste. The EFCC said the network laundered illicit proceeds through Genting International Co. Limited, a Nigerian-registered firm allegedly set up by foreign nationals.

According to an affidavit reported by local media in February, about $1.5 million was deposited into Genting International’s Union Bank account between April and December 2024. The money came mainly from two cryptocurrency sellers who received $2.39 million from the syndicate via peer-to-peer trading — funds later traced to Ponzi schemes, including Conti.VIP.