Nigeria Deports 102 Foreigners in Major Crypto Crackdown on Scam Networks

Nigeria just booted 102 foreign nationals tied to organized crypto fraud rings—sending a brutal message to scammers targeting one of Africa's most dynamic digital economies.

Crackdown Intensifies

Authorities aren't playing nice. The mass deportation follows a sweeping investigation into fake investment schemes and phishing operations that prey on both local traders and international investors. These weren't small-time players—the scale suggests sophisticated, cross-border coordination.

Regulatory Momentum Builds

This isn't Nigeria's first move against crypto-related crime, but it's among the largest single enforcement actions to date. The government's making it clear: exploit our market, get expelled. No courtesies, no second chances.

Finance's Dark Side

Let's be real—where there's money, there's fraud. Crypto's no different. While the tech promises freedom, some just see another system to game. Thankfully, authorities are finally catching up. Maybe traditional banks could learn a thing or two about actually punishing bad actors.

Bottom line: Nigeria's drawing hard lines. Innovate responsibly—or get out.

Nigeria deports foreign nationals convicted in investment scams

According to the Nigerian agency, the move to deport the criminals comes as efforts are being stepped up across the country to crack down on online scam operations, which have seen victims lose funds to fake cryptocurrency investments. According to reports, there has been an increase in crypto-related scams in Nigeria, with the scammers preying on the high illiteracy rate to carry out their activities.

A typical example is the crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) investment scheme, which promised users rewards for their investments. However, all hell broke loose earlier this year after it was discovered that the investment scheme was a scam, leaving users scrambling to save what was left of their funds to no avail. The revelation led to several damages, including financial and psychological, with most victims resorting to suicide after losing their entire savings to the scheme.

Speaking to several news agencies, Dele Oyewale, the spokesman of the EFCC, mentioned that they had carried out a first deportation that had gone under the radar prior. He added that the deportation happened on August 15, involving a group of 39 Filipinos, 10 Chinese, and two people from Kazakhstan. Oyewale noted that this isn’t the last of the deportations, as more are expected to happen in the coming days.

EFCC, NIS Repatriate 51 More Foreign Nationals Jailed for Cyber-terrorism, Internet Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, and the Nigerian Immigration Service NIS, have repatriated 51 more foreign nationals convicted and sentenced for cyber-terrorism and… pic.twitter.com/QXJK4am9pi

The Nigerian agency released the pictures of several men and women in a straight line at the airport waiting to be checked before they get on flights. The men, clearly Asian, wore surgical masks to protect their identities.

EFCC steps up efforts to curb criminal activities

Nigeria, which is currently the most populous country in Africa, has witnessed a rapid rise in internet fraud. The menace, known by its local slang as “Yahoo,” was named after yahoo.com, the early mail messaging platform. According to the EFCC, they have stepped up their efforts to ensure these activities are being curbed, busting several hideouts where the young populations are being taught these online scamming skills.

According to the EFCC, foreign gangs often recruit young Nigerian accomplices, luring them with promises of big returns in exchange for helping them find their victims online via several phishing methods. The attackers usually try to deceive their victims into moving or transferring funds into accounts controlled by their bosses via several means, which include befriending them, sending them phishing links, or calling to act as their banks.

Most of these scams target residents in America, Canada, Mexico, and other European countries, since most of these people are seen as better off than the average African. This doesn’t mean their activities are limited abroad, as they also try their hands on local victims that fall prey to their tactics. According to experts, cybercriminals are now using sophisticated technologies to carry out their acts, making it harder to apprehend them.

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