- Safiu Kehinde
The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a N500 million large-scale visa scam with four suspects arrested.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin.
According to the statement, the suspects comprising two females, Blessing Wefsutu (27) and Chineye Christian (36), as well as two males, Archibong Ifereke (23) and Maurine Peter (25), were apprehended by the Lagos Command’s State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects, all staff of an educational consultancy located in Ago Okota area of Lagos, fraudulently obtained a total of N500 million from over 100 unsuspecting victims under the false promise of securing Canadian and Australian work visas for them.
The case which was initially reported at the Ago Okota Division was subsequently transferred to the SCID for further investigation.
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.
Reacting to the development, the Lagos’ Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, urged the public to exercise due diligence and verify the authenticity of travel and recruitment agencies before engaging in any visa-related transactions.
He assured the public that the Command remains committed to pursuing justice and protecting residents from fraudsters and other criminal elements.