Nigeria repatriates Chinese fugitive wanted for tax fraud

Friday, July 11, 2025 - The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and repatriated a Chinese national, Chen Gaochong, who had been on the run for tax fraud. 

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who made this known in a statement on Thursday, July 10, 2025 said the fugitive was wanted by the Peixian Public Security Bureau of Jiangsu Province for fraudulently issuing 45 special Value Added Tax invoices totalling RMB 4,974,400. 

According to the spokesperson, Gaochong was arrested in Lagos on June 24, 2025, through a covert operation coordinated by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Abuja, in close collaboration with Chinese law enforcement authorities. 

He was formally handed over to officials from the People’s Republic of China on July 3, 2025. 

“The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, has successfully apprehended and repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Mr. CHEN Gaochong, to the People’s Republic of China, in close collaboration with Chinese Police authorities and in accordance with international law enforcement protocols. This strategic operation marks a significant milestone in transnational police cooperation and the global fight against financial crime,” the statement read. 

"Mr. Chen Gaochong, a male national of China, was declared wanted by the Peixian Public Security Bureau of Jiangsu Province for offences involving tax fraud, specifically the unlawful issuance of special Value Added Tax (VAT) invoices totalling RMB 4,974,400. 

"The investigation, initiated by Chinese authorities on 5th March 2020, revealed that between May and August 2017, the suspect fraudulently issued 45 VAT invoices for fictitious transactions under the guise of legitimate business activities. 

"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.

"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.

"The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, reaffirms its dedication to ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a haven for criminals fleeing justice. 

“The Force remains committed to upholding global standards in transnational crime prevention and will continue to strengthen its collaboration with international law enforcement agencies to combat crime and criminality.”