Police Uncovers N500m Visa Scam, Arrest Four Suspects In Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a N500m visa scam and arrested four suspects believed to be behind the large-scale fraud targeting job seekers desperate for work opportunities abroad.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) arrested the suspects following a petition initially lodged at the Ago Okota Division and subsequently transferred to the SCID for thorough investigation.
The arrested suspects are Blessing Wefsutu (27), Chineye Christian (36), Archibong Udeme Ifereke (23), and Maurine Peter (25), all staff of an educational consultancy located in Ago Okota, Lagos.
According to Hundeyin, preliminary findings revealed that the suspects allegedly collected over N500m from more than 100 unsuspecting victims, under the false pretence of securing Canadian and Australian work visas.
The victims were lured with promises of swift travel arrangements and lucrative jobs abroad, but none of the promises materialised.
He added that investigations also uncovered that the fraudulent operation was run by a wider syndicate.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects, all staff of an educational consultancy located in Ago Okota, fraudulently obtained a total of N500m from over 100 unsuspecting victims under the false promise of securing Canadian and Australian work visas for them.
“Further investigations revealed that the syndicate includes additional accomplices and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them and bring them to justice upon conclusion of the investigation,” Hundeyin said.
Commenting on the development, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, urged members of the public to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of travel and recruitment agencies before engaging in visa-related transactions.
He assured that the police will not relent in its commitment to protecting Lagos residents from fraudsters and criminal elements.
Police Uncovers N500m Visa Scam, Arrest Four Suspects In Lagos is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
