Nigerian authorities have deported dozens of foreign nationals, including 50 Chinese citizens, as part of a major crackdown on what the country's anti-graft agency has described as one of the "largest foreign-led cybercrime syndicates." This ongoing operation, dubbed "Eagle Flush," has so far led to the repatriation of 102 convicted foreign nationals who were found guilty of "cyberterrorism and internet fraud." The operation is a direct response to the rising tide of internet fraud and romance scams that have become a prevalent issue in Nigeria.
The scale of the operation is staggering. Last Friday, a sting operation in Lagos led to the arrest of 192 foreigners, of which 148 were Chinese nationals. This is the second such swoop in the past year, following a massive bust in December that saw nearly 800 suspects, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, arrested. These operations have shed light on an organized network in which foreigners collaborate with Nigerian recruits to carry out complex scams, including romance and cryptocurrency investment fraud.
The Nigerian government, through the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), has been vocal about the devastating impact of these crimes. The agency has successfully busted several hideouts where young cybercriminals, locally known as "Yahoo Boys," are trained in scamming skills. The EFCC has linked the surge in cybercrime cases to a complex mix of social and economic factors, including rising unemployment, the quest for quick wealth, a large informal economy, and weak regulatory frameworks.
The recent deportations, captured in photos showing the convicted criminals at the airport, are a clear signal of the government's commitment to tackling this issue head-on. The EFCC has stated that more deportations are scheduled in the coming days, a testament to the ongoing and determined nature of the "Eagle Flush" operation.
The problem of cybercrime in Nigeria is not just a local issue; it has international implications. The EFCC has worked with global agencies, including the US's Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to uncover high-profile cyber-fraud cases linked to Nigerians living outside the country. This international collaboration highlights the need for a unified global approach to combating cybercrime.
Companies like Meta have also taken action, removing thousands of accounts in Nigeria that were involved in online sextortion schemes. These scammers typically pose as young women to trick people into sending sexually explicit material before blackmailing them. The company also took down thousands of Facebook groups where scammers were offering tips on how to commit fraud.
