Chinese fugitive wanted for tax fraud arrested in Lagos, extradited to China

A Chinese national, Chen Gaochong, who had been on China’s wanted list for large-scale tax fraud, has been arrested in Lagos and extradited to China following a coordinated operation between the Nigeria Police Force and Chinese authorities.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that Chen was apprehended on June 24 in Lagos during a covert operation led by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja. His arrest came after a formal request from the Chinese government.

Chen was reportedly wanted by the Peixian Public Security Bureau in Jiangsu Province for allegedly issuing fake Value Added Tax (VAT) invoices amounting to 4.97 million renminbi—equivalent to over N1 billion.

According to Chinese investigators, between May and August 2017, Chen used the names of two unrelated companies—Linhai Guangyong and Linhai Beilaisi—to fraudulently issue 45 VAT invoices to Xuzhou Wanfeng Plastic Industry Company.

He is said to have fled mainland China in November 2019 via Shenzhen Bay to Hong Kong, before making his way to Burkina Faso and then illegally entering Nigeria in 2021. Authorities noted that Chen deliberately failed to renew his international passport to obscure his identity and avoid detection.

“Following the discovery of his criminal activities, Chen Gaochong fled Mainland China on 16th November 2019 through the Shenzhen Bay port to Hong Kong, and later escaped to Burkina Faso before illegally entering Nigeria in 2021,” the statement read.

The Peixian Public Security Bureau had issued an arrest warrant for Chen on July 9, 2020. He was finally extradited to China on July 3, 2025, after being handed over to Chinese law enforcement officials.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, affirmed that Nigeria will not serve as a refuge for international fugitives, stressing the critical role of global partnerships in fighting transnational crimes.

The Nigeria Police reiterated its commitment to upholding international legal obligations and continuing close collaboration with global law enforcement agencies.