Fifty Chinese nationals convicted in Madagascar for their involvement in online fraud networks have been transferred to China to continue serving their prison sentences.
The individuals were handed over to Chinese authorities on September 8 following judicial cooperation between Madagascar and the People’s Republic of China.
The group travelled through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where they made a brief stopover before continuing their journey to China. Security and escort arrangements were maintained throughout the transfer.
The deportation does not mean the convicts were released. Authorities said they will continue serving their sentences in Chinese prisons, with the length of imprisonment determined by their respective roles in the fraud networks.
Those considered lower-level participants received sentences ranging from two to five years, while individuals identified as organisers, employers or people with greater responsibility received prison terms of between five and 10 years.
The transfer was carried out under international judicial cooperation mechanisms, including provisions linked to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, commonly known as the Palermo Convention. Madagascar acceded to the convention in 2005.
More Chinese nationals who were arrested and convicted in Madagascar for similar online fraud-related offences are expected to be transferred in subsequent operations.
The development highlights the growing cooperation between Madagascar and China in tackling transnational criminal networks, particularly online scams that operate across national borders.
Authorities said international cooperation remains essential to disrupting such networks and bringing those involved to justice.
The Chinese government has also reaffirmed its determination to combat online fraud and said Chinese citizens involved in such criminal activities would not receive leniency.
