Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency announced on Thursday (August 21) that 50 Chinese citizens and one Tunisian citizen have been deported from the country for their involvement in online terrorism and cyber fraud, as part of the government’s efforts to combat foreign-led cybercrimes.
According to Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a total of 102 individuals have been deported since the operation commenced on August 15 in collaboration with the immigration authorities.
The deported Chinese and Tunisian citizens were among nearly 200 foreign nationals arrested in a major raid in Lagos at the end of last year. The EFCC conducted the operation targeting the largest transnational internet fraud syndicate operating within Nigeria.
The operation, codenamed “Eagle Flush,” led to the arrest of close to 800 suspects involved in crimes such as cryptocurrency investment scams and online romance fraud. The transnational fraud network is accused of defrauding hundreds of victims within and outside Nigeria.
Subsequently, these individuals were charged under the amended 2015 Nigeria Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act with offenses related to online terrorism and cyber fraud. Authorities highlighted the increasing application of the “online terrorism” provision in significant cases, primarily targeting activities that intend to disrupt Nigeria’s digital economy and financial security.
The EFCC revealed that the operation received intelligence support from multiple international law enforcement agencies, uncovering numerous fraudulent hubs hidden within luxury apartments and tech parks located in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) added that last Sunday (August 17), 42 Chinese and Filipino citizens who were arrested in last year’s operation were already deported. The EFCC indicated that as the joint operations continue, more foreign nationals implicated in the case will be deported in the coming days.