Nigeria has announced the deportation of 102 foreign nationals convicted of cyber crimes, including internet fraud.
Deportation of Foreign Nationals
According to the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the deported individuals were part of a group convicted by a federal court in June. The operation, conducted in December 2024, led to the apprehension of over 700 suspects, including 60 Chinese and 39 Filipinos.
Increased Measures Against Fraud
The deportation of criminals is part of Nigeria's ongoing efforts to combat online scams that have resulted in significant financial losses for victims. A notable example is the CBEX scheme, which promised users rewards for their investments. Following the scheme's exposure, many victims lost all their savings.
Cybercrime in Nigeria
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is facing a growing epidemic of internet fraud. Local slang refers to this as 'Yahoo', luring foreign nationals to entice young Nigerians with promises of high returns for helping find victims online. These scams primarily target individuals in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Nigeria continues to take action against internet fraud, strengthening cooperation with international agencies and enhancing domestic investigations.
