Nigeria Police, INTERPOL repatriate Chinese fugitive wanted for multi-million Yuan tax fraud

The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, has arrested and repatriated a Chinese national, Chen Gaochong, who was wanted in China for tax-related financial crimes involving nearly 5 million Yuan.

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operation was carried out in close collaboration with Chinese law enforcement authorities and aligned with established international law enforcement protocols.

Chen, a Chinese male national, had been on the run since 2019 after being declared wanted by the Peixian Public Security Bureau in Jiangsu Province, China.

He was implicated in a complex financial crime scheme involving the fraudulent issuance of 45 Value Added Tax (VAT) invoices amounting to RMB 4,974,400 (approximately ₦1.2 billion) for non-existent transactions between May and August 2017.

The invoices, Chinese investigators revealed, were falsely issued under the name of Xuzhou Wanfeng Plastic Industry Co., Ltd., using the identities of two other companies, Linhai Guangyong Plastic Products Co., Ltd. and Linhai Beilaisi Plastic Products Co., Ltd. without their knowledge or consent.

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According to the statement, in an attempt to evade justice, Chen fled mainland China on 16 November 2019, through the Shenzhen Bay port to Hong Kong.

He subsequently escaped to Burkina Faso before illegally entering Nigeria in 2021. To avoid detection, he deliberately failed to renew his international passport and concealed his movements across borders.

“Following a formal request from Chinese authorities, INTERPOL NCB Abuja launched a series of covert intelligence operations which culminated in Chen’s arrest in Lagos on Tuesday, 24 June 2025.

“After completing necessary legal procedures and in line with international mutual legal assistance frameworks, the fugitive was repatriated and handed over to Chinese law enforcement officials on Thursday, 3 July 2025,” the statement reads.

Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, IGP, reiterated the force’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria is not a safe haven for international fugitives.

“The successful arrest and repatriation of Mr. Chen Gaochong marks a significant achievement in our ongoing efforts to strengthen transnational crime prevention and law enforcement cooperation.

“The Nigeria Police remains resolute in aligning with global standards to combat crime and uphold justice,” the statement added.