July 16, (THEWILL) — The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a massive N500 million visa scam and arrested four suspects believed to be behind the large-scale fraud targeting job seekers desperate to travel abroad.
Spokesperson of the command, 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 later transferred to the SCID for further investigation.
The arrested suspects—Blessing Wefsutu (27), Chineye Christian (36), Archibong Udeme Ifereke (23), and Maurine Peter (25)—were identified as staff members of an educational consultancy firm located in the Ago Okota area of Lagos.
According to Hundeyin, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly defrauded more than 100 unsuspecting victims, collecting over N500 million under the false promise of securing Canadian and Australian work visas.
Hundeyin said: “The suspects, all staff of an educational consultancy, fraudulently obtained a total of N500 million from over 100 victims by promising to secure Canadian and Australian work visas for them.”
“Further investigations have uncovered that the operation is part of a wider syndicate. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices and bring all involved to justice.”
The victims, many of whom were lured with promises of quick travel arrangements and high-paying overseas jobs, were left stranded after none of the promises materialised.
Reacting to the development, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Owohunwa Adegoke, urged members of the public to be vigilant and always verify the authenticity of travel and recruitment agencies before engaging in any visa-related transactions.
He assured residents that the police would not relent in their efforts to protect Lagosians from fraudsters and criminal syndicates exploiting the dreams of unsuspecting citizens.
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