How Chinese man wanted for tax fraud in China was arrested in Lagos – Nigerian Police

The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended and extradited a Chinese national, Mr. Chen Gaochong, who had been on the run from authorities in China over allegations of tax fraud.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the arrest was carried out by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja in collaboration with Chinese police. Chen was traced and taken into custody in Lagos after a coordinated transnational investigation.

“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 statement noted.

It further explained that an investigation launched by Chinese authorities on March 5, 2020, uncovered that between May and August 2017, Chen had issued 45 fake VAT invoices under the guise of legitimate business transactions. The invoices, linked to Xuzhou Wanfeng Plastic Industry Co., Ltd., were falsely generated using the names of two other companies—Linhai Guangyong Plastic Products Co., Ltd. and Linhai Beilaisi Plastic Products Co., Ltd.—without their knowledge or involvement.

Following the exposure of the alleged scheme, Chen reportedly fled Mainland China via the Shenzhen Bay port on November 16, 2019, and travelled to Hong Kong before moving to Burkina Faso. He later entered Nigeria illegally in 2021, allegedly refusing to renew his passport in a bid to obscure his identity and evade law enforcement.

An arrest warrant was issued by Chinese authorities on July 9, 2020, prompting INTERPOL NCB Abuja to launch covert intelligence operations after receiving a formal request for assistance.

“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,” the statement added.

“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 emphasized its commitment to international law enforcement standards and reaffirmed its stance against harbouring fugitives.

“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,” the statement concluded.