Police Repatriate Chinese Fugitive Who Fled Country To Nigeria Over ‘Tax Fraud’

The Nigeria Police Force, through INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Abuja, has arrested and sent back to China a wanted Chinese national named Chen Gaochong.

Chen Gaochong had been on the run for several years over tax fraud offences in China involving nearly five million Yuan.

A statement released Thursday by police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the fugitive was picked up in Lagos on June 24 and was repatriated to China on July 3.

According to him, Gaochong originally fled China in 2019 after authorities in Jiangsu Province issued a warrant for his arrest.

Adejobi said he was accused of fraudulently issuing 45 fake VAT invoices worth nearly 5 million Yuan between May and August 2017.

“These invoices were issued to Xuzhou Wanfeng Plastic Industry Co., Ltd., using the names of two other companies, Linhai Guangyong Plastic Products Co., Ltd. and Linhai Beilaisi Plastic Products Co., Ltd., without their consent or involvement,” the statement reads.

“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.

“He deliberately avoided renewing his international passport in an attempt to conceal his identity and evade arrest.

“An arrest warrant was subsequently issued by the Peixian Public Security Bureau on 9th July 2020 for his detention on suspicion of tax-related offences.

“Upon receipt of a formal request for assistance from Chinese authorities, INTERPOL NCB Abuja commenced covert intelligence operations, leading to the successful tracing and arrest of the fugitive in Lagos on Tuesday, 24th June 2025. 

“In the spirit of international law enforcement cooperation and mutual legal assistance, Mr. Chen Gaochong was repatriated and formally handed over to Chinese authorities on Thursday, 3rd July 2025.”

Adejobi described the arrest and repatriation as a major success in tackling cross-border financial crimes.

He also emphasized that Nigeria will not be a safe haven for fugitives and pledged the police force’s continued partnership with global agencies in the fight against crime.

KanyiDaily recalls that the EFCC recently arrested two Chinese nationals and six Nigerians over their alleged involvement in illegal mining in Ogere, Ogun State.