Lagos Police Arrest 10 Cameroonians Over Alleged Visa Fraud, Human Trafficking Syndicate

 Lagos Police Arrest 10 Cameroonians Over Alleged Visa Fraud, Human Trafficking Syndicate

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 10 Cameroonian nationals suspected of operating a cross-border visa fraud and human trafficking syndicate that allegedly deceived victims with false promises of overseas relocation, work permits and residency documents.

LAGOS — The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 10 Cameroonian nationals over their alleged involvement in a visa fraud and human trafficking syndicate accused of defrauding unsuspecting victims of millions of naira under the guise of facilitating overseas travel and employment opportunities.

The suspects, comprising five males and five females, were arrested following investigations into allegations that they lured fellow Cameroonians to Nigeria with promises of securing visas, work permits and residency documents for destinations including Mauritius, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

According to police sources, victims were made to pay substantial sums of money for the purported travel arrangements, which never materialised.

Investigators also discovered that several of the suspects allegedly lacked valid passports and visas, raising concerns about their mode of entry into Nigeria.

A police source disclosed that the syndicate operated under the cover of a networking business but was primarily engaged in recruiting and exploiting victims.

The source said members of the group allegedly used social media platforms to deceive prospective victims by posting staged photographs and videos taken in luxurious locations, airports and tourist centres to create the impression that participants had successfully relocated abroad.

Victims were reportedly coached on how to communicate with family members and friends in order to encourage further recruitment into the scheme.

Given the cross-border nature of the alleged crimes, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, directed that the case be transferred from the Egbeda Tactical Unit to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, for comprehensive investigation.

The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the SCID, Mr. Dayo Akinbisehin.

One of the victims told investigators that she was convinced by a friend who claimed to be living and working in Mauritius. Attracted by promises of better employment opportunities and improved earnings, she paid 800,000 CFA francs, estimated at about N2 million, to facilitate her relocation.

She said she was informed that Mauritius had no embassy in Cameroon and that she would need to travel to Nigeria to process her visa and flight arrangements.

Upon arrival in Lagos, she was reportedly lodged in a hotel and later taken to what was presented as an embassy office. However, she discovered that the location was an ordinary office where she was asked to sign documents she did not fully understand.

The victim alleged that she was subsequently moved to a residence in the Epe area of Lagos, where she was informed that the actual business involved a networking scheme rather than overseas relocation.

According to her, her mobile phone and travel documents were confiscated, while she and other victims were taken to airports and tourist locations to pose for photographs and videos designed to portray them as individuals who had successfully relocated abroad.

She alleged that the images and videos were uploaded on social media platforms to attract more victims into the scheme.

The victim further stated that when she requested a refund and sought permission to return home, she was informed that her payment was non-refundable and that she would only recover her money if she recruited another participant into the network.

She added that her cousin later paid another 800,000 CFA francs after being misled into believing she had successfully settled overseas.

Another victim narrated a similar experience, claiming that she paid approximately 1.5 million CFA francs, equivalent to about N3.5 million, for what she was promised would be a Mauritius passport, work permit and residence permit.

She alleged that she was advised she did not require a Cameroonian passport and could travel to Nigeria using only her national identity card.

However, upon arriving in Lagos, she discovered that no travel documentation process was underway. Instead, she was introduced to the networking scheme and trained on strategies for recruiting new members.

The victim further alleged that participants were closely monitored while communicating with relatives and instructed on what to say to maintain the false impression that they had successfully relocated abroad.

Police sources said investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the operation, identify additional victims and establish possible links to international human trafficking networks.

The Lagos State Police Command assured that all those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon the conclusion of investigations.