Nigeria’s police authorities have confirmed the arrest and repatriation of a Chinese national, Xu Qing, who is accused of masterminding a large-scale investment fraud scheme worth over $245 million in China.
In a statement on Wednesday, police spokesperson Anthony Placid said the suspect fled to Nigeria after allegedly defrauding hundreds of investors through illegal public deposit schemes and other deceptive financial activities.
He said INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Abuja acted on a request from Chinese authorities, who declared Xu wanted in connection with financial crimes in Beijing. Investigations showed he left China on 5 November 2024 to evade arrest, while a warrant was later issued on 12 November 2025 by the Shinan Sub-Bureau of Qingdao Public Security.
Placid added that intelligence-led surveillance operations eventually traced the suspect to a factory in Olowotedo, Siun Village, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, where he was arrested.
He was taken into custody on 24 April 2026 and repatriated to China on 28 April 2026 through bilateral police cooperation arrangements to face prosecution. The police said the scheme involved fraudulent investment activities that led to massive losses for victims in China.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation against transnational crime, stressing that the country would not harbour fugitives.
“He stole $245 million, fled to Nigeria, and believed he would evade justice. He was mistaken”, Aliyu Giwa said.
He also urged Nigerians and business operators to conduct proper due diligence before engaging foreign nationals, noting that global collaboration remains key to tackling cross-border crime.
