Police arrest four suspects over N500 million visa scam in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a large-scale visa scam involving the fraudulent collection of N500 million.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin in a statement on Wednesday gave the names of the suspects as Blessing Wefsutu (27 years); Chineye Christian (36); Archibong Udeme Ifereke (23), and Maurine Peter (25).

The PPRO explained that the case which was initially reported at the Ago Okota Division was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for higher-level investigation.

He said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects, all staff of an educational consultancy located in Ago Okota, fraudulently obtained a total of N500 million from over 100 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.”

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, advised the public to exercise due diligence and verify the authenticity of travel and recruitment agencies before engaging in any visa-related transactions.

He assures the public that the command remained committed to pursuing justice and protecting residents from fraudsters and other criminal elements.