Lokmat Times published on 5 December 2025 an article titled "Africa Faces Growing Cybercrime as China Linked Syndicates Expand Operations."
Nigeria is emerging as the epicenter of a cybercrime crisis that is engulfing Africa. In late 2024 and early 2025, coordinated raids in Lagos and Abuja resulted in the arrest of nearly 1,000 suspects, including 177 Chinese nationals. These syndicates siphon tens of billions of dollars annually through fake investments, romance schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud.
African governments are operating in an uncomfortable situation. They are dependent on Chinese economic partnerships while they need to confront criminal networks that involve Chinese nationals.
