Nigeria Police Arrest and Repatriate Chinese Fugitive Over Alleged $245 Million Ponzi Scheme

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Xu Qing, to the People’s Republic of China over his alleged involvement in a massive financial fraud scheme estimated at $245 million.

According to police authorities, the operation was carried out by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja following a formal request from Chinese law enforcement agencies.

Chinese authorities had declared Xu wanted in Beijing over allegations linked to the illegal collection of public funds through what investigators described as a large-scale Ponzi scheme.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Force Public Relations Officer Anthony Placid said investigations showed that Xu fled China and entered Nigeria on November 5, 2024, in an attempt to evade arrest.

A formal arrest warrant was later issued against him on November 12, 2025, by the Shinan Sub-Bureau of Qingdao Public Security.

Police said intelligence gathering and sustained surveillance operations eventually led to the suspect’s arrest in Ogun State.

INTERPOL operatives reportedly tracked Xu to a factory located in Olowotedo, Siun Village, within Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, where he was apprehended on April 24, 2026.

Following his arrest, the suspect was repatriated to China on April 28, 2026, under bilateral police cooperation arrangements between both countries.

He is expected to face prosecution in China over the alleged financial crimes.

The Nigeria Police said the successful arrest and extradition demonstrate the country’s commitment to international law enforcement collaboration and the fight against transnational organised crime.

Reacting to the development, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu reaffirmed the force’s resolve to strengthen global partnerships in tackling cross-border criminal activities.

He stressed that Nigeria must not become a safe haven for fugitives attempting to evade justice in their home countries.

The police chief also advised Nigerian employers and businesses to carry out proper due diligence before hiring or entering into partnerships with foreign nationals.

According to him, organisations should prioritise police background checks and identity verification processes to reduce exposure to criminal risks.

The case highlights the growing importance of international policing cooperation as financial crimes and fraud networks increasingly operate across borders.

Ponzi schemes and similar fraudulent investment operations continue to pose major economic risks globally, often affecting thousands of victims and resulting in significant financial losses.

By facilitating Xu Qing’s arrest and repatriation, Nigerian authorities appear keen to reinforce the country’s reputation as a cooperative partner in international security and financial crime enforcement.

The latest operation also sends a broader message that foreign fugitives attempting to hide in Nigeria may face detection, arrest, and eventual extradition through coordinated intelligence efforts.

As cross-border financial crime becomes more sophisticated, stronger cooperation between national police agencies and international institutions like INTERPOL is expected to remain critical in tracking and prosecuting suspects worldwide.