Nigeria Deports Over 100 Foreign Nationals Convicted in Crypto Romance Scams
Lagos, Nigeria – August 22, 2025 — Nigeria has recently deported 102 foreign nationals, including 60 Chinese and 39 Filipinos, who were convicted of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud related to crypto romance scams. This action was announced by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the country’s leading anticorruption agency, as part of Nigeria’s intensified crackdown on online scam operations.
Crackdown on Crypto Romance Scams
The individuals deported were found guilty of orchestrating sophisticated scams in which victims were lured through deceptive romantic promises online. These victims were convinced to invest in fictitious cryptocurrency schemes, resulting in significant financial losses. Nigerian authorities revealed that the scams primarily targeted individuals in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale told AFP that in addition to the latest group deported on Thursday, another 51 individuals—comprising 39 Filipinos, 10 Chinese, and 2 Kazakhs—had been deported since August 15. Further deportations are expected to continue in the coming days as investigations proceed.
Origins and Scale of Arrests
The deportees were part of a larger group of 792 suspected cybercriminals arrested during a major operation in December 2024. The arrests took place in Victoria Island, an affluent district in Lagos, known to be a hub for cybercriminal hideouts. Out of those arrested, 192 were foreign nationals, including 148 Chinese nationals, highlighting the international nature of the scam syndicates operating in Nigeria.
The EFCC has released images depicting the suspects — mostly Asian men — wearing surgical face masks while lined up at airport check-in counters for deportation flights. This visual underscores the scale and seriousness of the operations targeting these cybercrimes.
Nigeria’s Ongoing Battle Against “Yahoo Boys” and Cybercrime Syndicates
Nigeria has long battled with the reputation of being a hotspot for internet fraudsters, locally referred to as “Yahoo Boys.” Young suspects are often found training in scam tactics, while foreign cybercrime syndicates leverage Nigeria’s weak cybersecurity infrastructure to establish operational bases.
These syndicated groups typically recruit local Nigerian accomplices to expand their network. The modus operandi involves phishing scams that deceive victims into transferring money or handing over sensitive data like account passwords. As the schemes grow more technologically complex, victims suffer severe financial ruin after investing their savings, business capital, or borrowed funds.
Rising Threat of Cyberfraud and International Response
Experts warn that these fraudulent investment schemes are continually evolving with advances in digital technology, making them more difficult to detect and dismantle. The involvement of foreign nationals in such scams operating from Nigerian soil has prompted authorities to take more aggressive actions, including coordinated raids and deportations.
The EFCC’s actions serve not only as a stern warning to cybercriminals but also reflect Nigeria’s commitment to cleaning up its image as a cybercrime hub and protecting global internet users from falling prey to such scams.
Sources:
Al Jazeera, AFP, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Nigeria
For further details, visit Al Jazeera’s official website.