By Our Reporter
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has begun deporting 192 foreigners convicted of internet fraud and Ponzi scheme offences.
The first batch, made up of 42 Chinese and Filipinos, was flown out through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, around 2 p.m. yesterday. The remaining 150 convicts are expected to be deported today and tomorrow.
A Federal High Court in Lagos had earlier sentenced the 42 foreigners to one year in prison under a plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They were also fined ₦1 million each and ordered to be repatriated within seven days of completing their jail terms.
The EFCC said the convicts were arrested in December 2024 during a major raid on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. At the time, 759 suspects—including 600 Nigerians—were taken into custody. Investigations revealed that the syndicate’s company, Genting International Co. Limited, received over ₦2.26 billion between April and December 2024.
According to court documents, the foreigners trained Nigerians on carrying out romance and investment scams. The EFCC also secured the forfeiture of $222,729 worth of seized digital assets linked to the crimes.
The Commission explained that the syndicate recruited Nigerians with strong computer skills, trained them for two weeks on impersonation strategies, and then took over the scams once victims were hooked, often cutting out their Nigerian accomplices.
All 192 foreigners have now been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for deportation.