Police in Nigeria have arrested and repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Xu Qing, to the People’s Republic of China over his alleged involvement in a $245 million Ponzi scheme.
The operation was carried out through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau Abuja following a formal request from Chinese authorities, who had declared the suspect wanted in Beijing for large-scale illegal absorption of public deposits.
Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, in a statement, on Wednesday, said investigations revealed that Xu fled China to Nigeria on November 5, 2024, in a bid to evade arrest.
The FPRO said a warrant for the Chinese fugitive’s arrest was subsequently issued on November 12, 2025, by the Shinan Sub-Bureau of Qingdao Public Security.
According to the statement, “National Central Bureau Abuja, has successfully arrested and repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Xu Qing, to the People’s Republic of China to face charges related to large-scale illegal absorption of public deposits through a Ponzi scheme. The repatriation followed a formal request from Chinese authorities, who declared the suspect wanted in Beijing for his alleged involvement in a financial fraud scheme estimated at over $245,000,000.
“Investigations revealed that the suspect fled China to Nigeria on 5th November 2024 in an attempt to evade arrest, following which a warrant was issued against him on 12th November 2025 by the Shinan Sub-Bureau of Qingdao Public Security.”
It added that acting on intelligence and sustained surveillance, INTERPOL operatives tracked and arrested the suspect at a factory in Olowotedo, Siun Village, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State on April 24, 2026.
“The suspect was repatriated to the People’s Republic of China on 28th April 2026 through bilateral police cooperation arrangements to face prosecution for the offences, ” the statement added.
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international collaboration in tackling transnational organised crime.
He also advised Nigerian employers and business entities to conduct due diligence, including police background checks, before engaging foreign nationals.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its commitment to combating transnational crime and ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a safe haven for fugitives,” he added.
