Chinese Romance Scam Operatives Busted – Largest Crackdown in Nation History

Close-up of keyboard with red SCAM ALERT key.

Nigeria just deported 102 foreign nationals—including 50 Chinese operatives—in the largest cybercrime crackdown in the nation’s history, exposing how foreign syndicates have been exploiting weak borders to orchestrate massive scams against American and European victims.

Story Highlights

Nigeria’s EFCC executed unprecedented deportations of 102 foreign cybercriminals, marking the largest operation in agency history
Chinese nationals led sophisticated romance and investment scams targeting victims in Europe and the United States
Foreign syndicates operated from dedicated training facilities, recruiting and instructing local Nigerians in advanced fraud techniques
Operation disrupted major cybercrime hub at Big Leaf Building in Lagos, previously housing nearly 800 suspects including 193 foreigners

Foreign Syndicates Exploit Nigeria’s Weak Enforcement

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission conducted its largest cybercrime operation, deporting 102 foreign nationals including 50 Chinese and one Tunisian suspect. The crackdown targeted sophisticated syndicates operating from the Big Leaf Building in Lagos, which functioned as a training center for romance and investment frauds. Foreign operatives recruited unemployed Nigerians, teaching advanced scam techniques using social media and encrypted messaging platforms to target victims across Europe and the United States.

Massive Scale Reveals International Criminal Network

The December 2024 raid on the Big Leaf Building netted nearly 800 suspects, including 193 foreign nationals from China, the Philippines, and other countries. This operation followed INTERPOL’s “Red Card” initiative, which arrested 306 suspects across Africa between November 2024 and February 2025. The scale demonstrates how foreign criminal organizations have systematically exploited Nigeria’s porous borders and weak regulatory environment to establish sophisticated fraud operations targeting Western victims.

EFCC Targets Root of International Fraud Operations

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede characterized the deportations as essential for restoring integrity to Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and protecting national security interests. The operation exposed how foreign syndicates leveraged Nigeria’s high youth unemployment and IT literacy to recruit local operatives. Unlike traditional “Yahoo Boys” operating independently, these networks featured foreign leadership providing training, resources, and operational control over large-scale fraud schemes targeting American and European investors.

Implications for Cross-Border Crime Enforcement

The successful deportations signal increased cooperation between Nigerian authorities and international law enforcement agencies in dismantling transnational cybercrime networks. However, experts warn that Nigeria’s underlying vulnerabilities—including weak regulation, high unemployment, and inadequate digital infrastructure—continue attracting foreign criminal syndicates. The operation may force tactical shifts or relocation to other jurisdictions rather than eliminating the threat entirely.

So the Nigerian prince is really Chinese?

Nigeria Deports 50 Chinese Nationals Accused of Cybercrimehttps://t.co/kknDNmTatd

— Chris👁 (@chrisarterial) August 23, 2025

This crackdown represents a crucial step toward protecting American consumers and businesses from sophisticated international fraud schemes. The deportations demonstrate that even countries historically associated with cybercrime are taking action when foreign actors exploit their territory to target Western victims through organized criminal enterprises.