The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the repatriation of 102 convicted foreigners, with a total of 192 individuals having been arrested during the sting operation conducted last Friday in Lagos. Of these, 148 were Chinese nationals, found guilty of severe offenses related to "cyberterrorism and internet fraud." The operation follows actionable intelligence collected by the EFCC, highlighting the agency’s ongoing commitment to eradicate cybercrime, which remains a persistent issue in Nigeria.

Last year, cybercrime incidents surged as Nigeria grappled with romance scams and online fraud, compelling the EFCC to intensify its investigations. This year alone, the EFCC has conducted multiple operations against foreigners suspected of colluding with local scammers, previously arresting nearly 800 individuals in December 2022 linked to organized cybercrime activities.

The Nigerian government attributes the rise in cybercrime to factors such as high unemployment, the allure of quick wealth, and a lack of effective regulatory controls. Platforms like Meta have proactively removed thousands of scam-related accounts, underscoring the expanding reach and impact of these cyber threats.

As further deportations are anticipated, experts continue to warn social media users to remain vigilant of potential scams, which often exploit personal vulnerabilities and can have devastating effects on victims.