WANTED CHINESE FUGITIVE WHO STOLE OVER 5MILLION IN TAX FRAUD ARRESTED IN ABUJA, REPATRIATED BACK TO HIS COUNTRY

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest and repatriation of a Chinese fugitive identified as Chen Gaochong, who had been on the run for tax fraud involving nearly five million Chinese Yuan (approximately $5 million).

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who made this known in a statement issued on Thursday said that Gaochong was arrested in Lagos on June 24, 2025.

Adejobi said the Chinese national was arrested during a covert intelligence-led operation conducted by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, in collaboration with Chinese law enforcement authorities.

According to the police spokesperson, Gaochong was officially handed over to Chinese officials on July 3, 2025.

Adejobi said Gaochong was wanted by the Peixian Public Security Bureau in Jiangsu Province for issuing 45 fraudulent special Value Added Tax (VAT) invoices worth RMB 4,974,400 between May and August 2017.

He said the fake transactions were made under the guise of legitimate business dealings and involved the unauthorised use of two Chinese companies’ identities, Linhai Guangyong Plastic Products Co., Ltd. and Linhai Beilaisi Plastic Products Co., Ltd.

After his activities were uncovered, Gaochong fled Mainland China through the Shenzhen Bay port to Hong Kong on November 16, 2019.

He later travelled to Burkina Faso and eventually entered Nigeria illegally in 2021, reportedly avoiding the renewal of his international passport in an attempt to conceal his identity and evade capture.

Adejobi noted that a formal arrest warrant was issued by Chinese authorities on July 9, 2020, and INTERPOL initiated a request for international cooperation, prompting the Nigerian police to begin surveillance operations.

“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, June 24, 2025,” Adejobi stated.

“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, July 3, 2025.”

Describing the operation as a “major milestone in international law enforcement collaboration,” Adejobi reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police to ensuring that the country does not become a haven for international fugitives.

He said 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.