A Nigerian court has ordered the interim forfeiture of 73 properties linked to Chinese nationals suspected of orchestrating widespread internet fraud schemes.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced the court’s decision on Friday, marking a major step in its ongoing crackdown on cybercrime.
The seized assets include nearly 1,600 laptops, thousands of mobile phones, more than 400 deep freezers, and hundreds of bunk beds.
Authorities say the items were confiscated from suspects arrested in a December 2024 raid on Lagos’ upscale Victoria Island.
During that operation, 792 individuals were detained, with 192 foreign nationals among them—148 of whom were Chinese.
The EFCC claims the suspects operated a global syndicate engaged in cryptocurrency scams and romance fraud.
According to the agency, the accused used phishing to target unsuspecting victims across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
A court granted the forfeiture order on the grounds that the items were suspected instruments of cyber fraud and money laundering.
Nigeria, long battling the image of homegrown “Yahoo Boys,” is now confronting foreign cybercrime rings exploiting its digital vulnerabilities.
Experts warn that lax cybersecurity and limited enforcement have turned the country into a haven for international scam networks.