THE Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on Sunday, August 17, commenced the deportation of 42 out of the 192 Chinese and Philippinos convicted of cyberterrorism and Ponzi scheme offences.
The deportees, who were among the 759 persons arrested during a major raid on December 10, last year, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State, were transferred to NIS after their conviction and departed Nigeria at 2p.m.
The remaining convicts were expected to be repatriated on Monday, August 18 and Tuesday, August 19.
The syndicate operated a large-scale cyber fraud and Ponzi scheme before the arrests in the joint operation.
A senior Immigration official at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, who confirmed the development to Punch, said: “Whether it’s a criminal offence or a visa violation, anyone who has served their jail term is typically deported. Even if someone holds a valid immigration status, certain crimes automatically render that status void.
“In this case, these individuals were not deported for immigration violations alone, but for criminal activities. We cannot allow foreigners to commit crimes in our country and have Nigerians take the blame for their actions.”
Another senior official said the Service was monitoring other foreign nationals suspected of similar offences as part of an ongoing operation to ensure that Nigeria’s borders remain secure, adding: “We are focused on results, not public recognition. Our duty is sensitive, and we act within the law to maintain national security.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which prosecuted the cases, sid the convicts had operated an extensive cyberfraud and Ponzi network, with the Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, describing the deportations as a “significant milestone” in the country’s anti-corruption campaign.
According to him: “These convictions send a strong signal that Nigeria will not serve as a haven for cybercriminals.
“The Commission remains committed to intensifying investigations, recovering stolen funds and restoring national dignity, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption drive.”
The convicts were charged with the use of false identities to defraud victims, training of employees of Genting International Company Limited in fraudulent practices and other offences under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
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