Nigeria and the Extradition of Chinese Nationals: Two Key Cases

Case 1: $245 Million Ponzi Scheme Fugitive Repatriated to China

Nigeria's police, acting on a formal request from Chinese authorities, tracked and arrested a Chinese fugitive wanted in Beijing for alleged involvement in a financial fraud scheme estimated at over $245 million. Investigations revealed the suspect had fled China to Nigeria on November 5, 2024, in an attempt to evade arrest, following which an arrest warrant was issued against him in November 2025 by the Shinan Sub-Bureau of Qingdao Public Security.

Operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja successfully tracked and arrested the fugitive at a factory located in Olowotedo, Siun Village, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State on April 24, 2026. The suspect was repatriated to the People's Republic of China on April 28, 2026, through bilateral police cooperation arrangements to face prosecution.

Case 2: Crypto Scammer Arrested in Argentina, Wanted by Nigeria

Argentine police arrested a Chinese national identified by the initials DZ who was wanted for fraud in Nigeria, after he attempted to enter Argentina from Paris on a fake Paraguayan passport. Argentine Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva confirmed the arrest, saying: "He didn't even make it inside the country.

The Airport Security Police, the Federal Police, and immigration officers acted immediately. Nigeria is asking for him, and we're going to deport him." A Federal Court in Argentina was proceeding with the extradition process. The suspect is alleged to be behind a crypto scam worth approximately $50 million targeting Nigerian victims.

The Bigger Picture: Nigeria as a Hub for Chinese Cybercrime

Since the beginning of 2025, Nigerian authorities have arrested hundreds of Chinese nationals in connection with cybercrime syndicates operating in the country. Most were running online romance scams aimed at persuading victims to invest in fake crypto currency.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has reported that Africa has become a refuge for Chinese and other cybercriminals pushed out of Southeast Asia by government crackdowns.

Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deported 102 foreign nationals, including 60 Chinese and 39 Filipinos, who were convicted of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. The deportees were among 792 suspected cybercriminals arrested in a single operation in the affluent Victoria Island area of Lagos.

EFCC chairman Ola Olukayode has stated: "Foreigners are taking advantage of our nation's unfortunate reputation as a haven of frauds to establish a foothold here to disguise their atrocious criminal enterprises." Nigeria has signaled it will continue cooperating with international partners to dismantle these networks.

Mustapha Bature Sallama.
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal investigation and Intelligence Analysis.

International Conflict Management and Peace Building.USIP

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