Nigeria has recently intensified its crackdown on cybercrime, resulting in the deportation of 50 Chinese nationals among a total of 102 foreign convicts. According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), this action is part of a large operation targeting one of the “largest foreign-led cybercrime syndicates” in the country.
The sting operation took place in Lagos, where 192 foreigners were arrested, including 148 Chinese nationals, all charged with cyberterrorism and internet fraud. The EFCC’s ongoing campaign against internet crime is a response to the alarming prevalence of such offences, particularly as romance scams and cryptocurrency frauds have become common in Nigeria.
Recent statistics show that internet fraud is rampant in Nigeria, exacerbated by high unemployment rates and a growing informal economy. The crackdown follows a similar operation last December, where nearly 800 individuals, including Chinese and Filipino nationals, were arrested for orchestrating scams in collaboration with local criminals.
The EFCC has also noted a correlation between the surge in cybercrime and the inadequacies of regulatory frameworks. In the wake of these developments, social media platforms, including Meta, are taking steps to combat these crimes, such as removing fraudulent accounts and groups spreading scam techniques.
With ongoing deportations slated to continue, the EFCC remains vigilant in its efforts to dismantle these cybercriminal networks, highlighting the importance of awareness and vigilance against online scams among potential victims worldwide.
