ABUJA, Aug. 23 (AGCNewsNet) – Nigeria has deported 60 Chinese nationals and 39 Filipinos convicted of internet fraud and “cyber-terrorism” linked to cryptocurrency romance scams, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced Thursday.

The EFCC said the deportations followed convictions stemming from a large-scale crackdown on cybercrime networks that lured victims into fake online relationships to extract money through fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.

EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale told AFP that an additional 39 Filipinos, 10 Chinese, and two Kazakh nationals had been deported since August 15, with more deportations scheduled in the coming days.

The agency released photographs showing groups of deportees in face masks at airport check-in counters.

The crackdown began in December when authorities arrested 792 suspected cybercriminals in Lagos’ affluent Victoria Island district, including 192 foreigners — 148 of them Chinese.

Nigeria, long battling a reputation for internet fraudsters known locally as “Yahoo Boys,” has seen an influx of foreign gangs operating from within the country. According to the EFCC, these groups often recruit Nigerian accomplices to run phishing scams, tricking victims into transferring money or revealing sensitive information such as banking passwords.

The scams have primarily targeted victims in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Experts warn that the fraud schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, exploiting advanced digital tools and weak cybersecurity systems in Nigeria.

Victims, many of whom invest life savings, business capital, or borrowed funds, are often left powerless as their money vanishes into untraceable digital accounts.

Cybersecurity analysts caution that Nigeria’s growing exposure to foreign crime syndicates underscores the urgent need for stronger digital safeguards and international cooperation to combat cross-border financial fraud.

Stay connected with AGC NewsNet for the latest news from Africa.