Nigeria Launches Major Crackdown on Foreign Cybercrime Syndicates

Wed Oct 22 2025 17:09:52 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A recent sting operation has seen Nigeria deport 50 Chinese nationals as part of a broader initiative against cyber terrorism and internet fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria has deported over 100 foreigners, including 50 Chinese, in a crackdown on a major cybercrime syndicate following a sting operation. The arrests, which included an alarming number of foreign nationals, referenced the growing link between unemployment and rising cybercrime in Nigeria.

Nigeria has taken aggressive steps to combat cybercrime with the recent deportation of 102 foreign nationals, including 50 Chinese citizens accused of being part of one of the largest foreign-led cybercriminal syndicates operating within its borders. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced this crackdown occurred after a sting operation conducted last Friday in Lagos, which led to the arrest of 192 individuals, primarily Chinese nationals involved in cyberterrorism and internet fraud.

Nigerian authorities have highlighted the ongoing challenge of internet fraud, with romance scams being prevalent. The EFCC noted that cybercrime had become one of the leading criminal offenses in Nigeria, exacerbated by factors including high unemployment, a vast informal economy, and ineffective regulatory measures.

Last year, the EFCC successfully dismantled a significant network of young cybercriminals, often referred to as "Yahoo Boys," who were trained in various scamming techniques. The current operation, named "Eagle Flush," reflects an ongoing commitment to tackle the issue, with further deportations planned in the coming days.

The EFCC recently shared images on social media of the deported individuals being led at an airport, revealing the scale of the operation. This is the second series of deportations targeting foreigners involved in internet crime within the past year, following a major operation in December that resulted in the arrest of nearly 800 individuals, including nationals from the Philippines and China.

The cybercrime phenomenon has drawn attention from international law enforcement, as evidenced by collaboration with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in uncovering high-profile scams run by Nigerians abroad. With both Nigerian authorities and social media platforms like Meta taking measures to combat these scams, experts continue to emphasize the importance of public awareness surrounding the risks of cybercrime and the deceptive tactics employed by scammers online.

The ongoing operations underscore a critical national issue as Nigeria battles to reshape its image and curb the rising tide of cybercriminal activity that employs both domestic and foreign elements.