Police arrest, repatriate $245m Ponzi scheme suspect to China

The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, has arrested and repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Xu Qing, to China to face charges related to large-scale illegal absorption of public deposits through a Ponzi scheme.

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Placid said 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.

Placid stated that investigations revealed that the suspect fled China to Nigeria November 5, 2024, in an attempt to evade arrest, following which a warrant was issued against him on November 12, 2025, by the Shinan Sub-Bureau of Qingdao Public Security.

“Acting on intelligence and sustained surveillance operations, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja successfully tracked and arrested the fugitive at a factory located in Olowotedo, Siun Village, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State on 24th April 2026 after which 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 police spokesman said.

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He quoted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu, as reaffirming the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international cooperation in the fight against transnational organised crime.

The IGP further advised Nigerian employers and business owners to conduct due diligence, including background checks through the police, before engaging foreign nationals in business or employment relationships.

Disu added that the NPF remains resolute in its commitment to combating transnational crime and ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a safe haven for fugitives.