Police Secure Conviction of 21 Foreign Nationals in Landmark Cybercrime Case

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major win in the fight against cybercrime, securing the conviction of 21 foreign nationals linked to a sophisticated internet fraud and hacking syndicate.

Force spokesperson DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that the convicts were part of a larger group of 130 suspects, mostly of Chinese and Malaysian origin, along with 17 Nigerian collaborators, arrested during a November 2024 raid in Abuja.

According to Adejobi, the arrests followed meticulous investigations that uncovered large-scale internet scams, hacking activities, and other cyber offenses.

The suspects were arraigned in court on December 2, 2024, with investigators presenting strong digital forensic evidence and expert testimonies. As of August 1, 2025, 21 of them have been sentenced, while trials for the remaining defendants are still ongoing.

“The Police, working with the Ministry of Justice, are committed to ensuring that every individual involved is brought to justice,” Adejobi said.

The Force stressed that the convictions send a clear warning to both local and foreign cybercriminal networks — Nigeria will not be a safe haven for online fraud or hacking operations.