Liberia arrests 67 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, in transnational cybercrime raid
Liberian police and joint security forces have arrested more than 67 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese citizens, in raids on three suspected cyber-fraud sites in Paynesville. Officers seized over $1.3 million in counterfeit US dollars, more than 100 phones carrying up to 20 WhatsApp accounts each, and over 50 computers. Liberia has asked the FBI for forensic help. On 8 October, a court issued a writ of habeas corpus for several of the detainees.
MONROVIA, Liberia: The Liberia National Police, working with joint security forces, have dismantled a suspected transnational cybercrime network in a series of raids across Paynesville and surrounding areas.
More than 67 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese citizens, were arrested.
Officers also seized over $1.3 million in counterfeit US currency.
Months of surveillance, three sites
At a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman said the operation followed months of digital surveillance of criminal networks operating in Liberia’s cyberspace.
The Magisterial Court in Paynesville issued search warrants for three facilities in the Rehab, Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex and Baptist Seminary communities.
The raids began after Ministry of Labor officials met resistance during a routine workplace inspection at one of the properties.
The seizure
- Over $1.3 million in counterfeit US dollars
- More than 100 mobile phones, many set up with as many as 20 WhatsApp accounts and multiple Facebook profiles
- Over 50 computers, plus internet routers and storage devices
- Genuine cash and precious minerals
Coleman said the device setup points to a large-scale online fraud operation.
Phones running dozens of WhatsApp and Facebook identities are the standard toolkit of scam compounds, where workers run romance, investment and job scams on victims across several countries at once.
A transnational syndicate
Preliminary findings indicate the network targeted victims both in Liberia and abroad.
Liberia has asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation for digital forensics support and has contacted the Chinese government about the detainees.
The suspects face allegations of cybercrime, counterfeiting and economic sabotage, but all remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“No crime committed within the country will go uninvestigated,” Coleman warned, adding that criminals should think twice before breaking Liberian law.
Court orders detainees produced
On 8 October 2026, Criminal Assizes “B” of the First Judicial Circuit in Montserrado County issued a writ of habeas corpus for several of the detained foreign nationals.
The accused named in the writ are Xing Guodung, Wu Liqing, Liu Yao, Zhou Guohui, Zho Geng, Zhao Geng, Gao Yangong, Chen Minjie, Wang Zhihong and Wuo Luhuan, along with others.
The writ names as respondents the Ministry of Justice, the Montserrado County Attorney, Inspector General Coleman and the Crime Services Department.
It ordered the accused released from custody and directed the authorities to bring them before the court on 9 October at 10:00 AM.
The petition, filed by counsel Joseph Y. Howe and James N. Kumeh, cites Article 21(f) of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution.
The ruling sets up an early legal test of the case as West Africa becomes a new base for scam operations pushed out of Southeast Asia.