Nigeria Deports Over 100 Foreign Nationals Convicted in Crypto Romance Scams
August 22, 2025 — Nigeria has intensified its crackdown on cybercrime by deporting 102 foreign nationals convicted of involvement in sophisticated online scams, including crypto romance frauds. Among those deported were 60 Chinese and 39 Filipino nationals, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the country’s lead anti-corruption agency.
The EFCC revealed that the detainees were found guilty of “cyber-terrorism and internet fraud,” crimes that often involve luring victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments through false promises of romantic relationships. Such scams exploit victims’ trust, leading them to transfer money or disclose sensitive account information.
Crackdown on Cybercrime Continues
This latest deportation follows a large-scale raid in December 2024, when Nigerian authorities arrested 792 suspected cybercriminals in Victoria Island, an upscale area in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital. Of those arrested, at least 192 were foreign nationals, including 148 Chinese operatives.
Dele Oyewale, a spokesperson for the EFCC, informed the AFP news agency that an additional group of 39 Filipinos, 10 Chinese, and two Kazakhstani nationals had been deported since August 15. He also indicated that further deportations are planned in the coming days.
Photos released by the EFCC show the deportees, mostly Asian men wearing surgical masks, awaiting processing at airport check-in counters.
Nigeria’s Reputation as a Cybercrime Hub
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has garnered a notorious reputation globally for internet fraud, locally known as “Yahoo Boys.” These groups often operate from training hideouts where young suspects learn illicit tactics to scam victims offshore.
According to the EFCC, criminal networks frequently recruit Nigerian accomplices to identify potential victims using phishing scams and other deceptive online techniques. The primary targets of these scams include residents of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
Cybercrime experts note that scam operators are continually enhancing their methods by leveraging advanced technologies and digital tools to make fraudulent investment schemes more believable and difficult to detect.
Victims often suffer significant financial losses after investing personal savings, business capital, or borrowed funds into fake cryptocurrency ventures promoted by these syndicates.
Foreign Gangs Exploiting Weak Cybersecurity
The EFCC warns that foreign cybercrime syndicates have established bases in Nigeria, exploiting gaps in the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure. These syndicates coordinate large-scale scams and recruit local collaborators to expand their reach globally.
Nigeria’s intensified enforcement efforts reflect growing international concern over online fraud and the abuse of emerging technologies for financial crimes.
Moving Forward
As the EFCC continues to dismantle cybercriminal networks, the Nigerian government plans to strengthen cybersecurity measures and broaden international cooperation to prevent such scams. Enhanced public awareness campaigns are also underway to educate prospective victims about the risks of online fraud, particularly those involving romance scams linked to cryptocurrency investments.
Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies