The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended four individuals allegedly involved in an international visa scam totaling N500 million.
The arrests were made by operatives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, according to a statement released Wednesday by Command Spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin.
The suspects, aged between 23 and 36 years, were initially reported to the Ago Okota Police Division before the case was transferred to SCID for comprehensive investigation. Preliminary investigations revealed the accused work for an educational consultancy firm based in Lagos’s Ago Okota area.
“The suspects reportedly defrauded more than 100 victims under the pretense of securing work visas for Canada and Australia,” Hundeyin disclosed. He added that “further investigations have uncovered the involvement of additional accomplices within the syndicate. Efforts are ongoing to track down these people and ensure they are brought to justice once the investigation is concluded.”
Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP Adegoke Fayoade has issued a public advisory urging caution when engaging with travel or recruitment agencies, particularly for visa processing services. The warning comes as authorities continue their crackdown on fraudulent immigration consultancies exploiting Nigerians seeking overseas opportunities.