Four individuals suspected of having ties with the alleged visa scam that defrauded over 100 Nigerians of about N500 million have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.
The victims were lured with promises of swift travel arrangements and lucrative jobs abroad, but none of the promises were fulfilled.
The suspects, Blessing Wefsutu, Chineye Christian, Archibong Udeme Ifereke, and Maurine Peter, were said to have been staff of an educational consultancy company in Ago Okota.
The case was initially reported at Ago Okota Division and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for further investigation, which revealed that the suspects, all staff of an educational consultancy company located in Ago Okota, fraudulently obtained N500 million from over 100 unsuspecting victims under the false promise of securing Canadian and Australian work visas for them.
The police also disclosed that more members of the syndicate are currently at large, but efforts are underway to track and apprehend them.
Further investigations revealed that the syndicate includes additional accomplices, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them and bring them to justice upon the conclusion of the investigation.
We therefore advise the general public to perform due diligence and verify the authenticity of a travel and recruitment agency before engaging in any form of transaction. Fraudsters are increasingly exploiting the desperation of Nigerians seeking opportunities to travel abroad.
The suspects are expected to be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.