On August 15th, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initiated a campaign against cybercriminals. As of Thursday, the agency reported that it has deported 102 individuals, including 50 from China.
Among the suspects, there were also individuals from Tunisia. In December 2024, nearly 800 arrests were made in Lagos in connection with a major cybercrime syndicate, which included 193 foreign nationals. This marked the largest operation undertaken by the EFCC since its inception in 2002.
The Big Reef Building, a seven-story structure on Victoria Island in Lagos, allegedly served as a hub for cybercrime activities, referred to as the “Hustle Kingdom.” This site functioned both as a training center and operational base.
The EFCC indicated that foreign suspects had engaged Nigerians in schemes to defraud victims in Europe and the U.S. through various scams involving romantic proposals, investments, and cryptocurrency. The arrests included 148 Chinese nationals, along with 40 Filipinos, two from Kazakhstan, one from Pakistan, and one Indonesian.
During the crackdown, investigators confiscated substantial amounts of computer equipment, including around 500 smartphone SIM cards utilized in phishing operations. It was reported that gang members were instructed to reach out to potential victims via platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram. These scammers created misleading social media profiles and accounts, enabling them to impersonate individuals from other countries.
One notable scam linked to the Big Reef Building involved a fraudulent investment website named Yootoo.com, which extracted money from victims through application and transaction fees. Authorities explained that Nigerian recruits were trained to establish trust with future victims before being passed on to seasoned operatives once their targets were effectively engaged.
“For us, this operation is crucial, given the high number of foreign participants. It challenges the notion that only Nigerians are involved in these scams. Many foreigners are coming to Nigeria for fraud, which reflects poorly on us,” a spokesperson stated.
They also emphasized, “This crackdown demonstrates our commitment to dismantling criminal networks and restoring integrity to Nigeria’s online environment. Tackling cybercrime is essential to the government’s broader efforts to enhance security and stimulate economic progress.”
Nigeria has long struggled with its image as a hub for online criminal activity, falling just behind countries like China, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. The nation has a large pool of individuals trained in information technology, yet job prospects remain dire. Young men engaging in cybercrime are often referred to as “Yahoo Boys,” who sometimes impersonate women online to lure victims.
The Nigeria Immigration Bureau, which started deportations on August 15th, has already expelled many foreigners apprehended in December. The EFCC shared photos of suspects lined up at the airport, wearing face masks, as they prepared to leave.
“We plan to deport more individuals from various nations in the coming days,” the EFCC indicated.
