Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a woman, Elizabeth Thomson, for allegedly defrauding three unsuspecting victims of N8.5 million through a fake Canadian work visa scheme.
Police spokesperson Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, said the suspect deceived her victims under the guise of helping them secure employment and travel documents to Canada.
According to Odutola, the victims recounted how they were made to undergo biometric verification as instructed by the suspect. Afterward, they were informed that their work visas had been successfully approved. However, when they proceeded to the Visa Facilitation Service (VFS) office in Lagos for confirmation, they were shocked to discover that the documents were counterfeit.
“The victims narrated that after undergoing biometric verification as instructed by the suspect, they were informed that their visas had been approved. But when they took the supposed approval letters to the Visa Facilitation Service office for verification, it was discovered that the documents were fake,” Odutola stated.
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Following their complaints, police operatives tracked and apprehended the suspect. During interrogation, Thomson confessed to the crime and admitted running a fraudulent migration racket that targeted job seekers eager to travel abroad for better opportunities.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime. Preliminary investigation revealed that she had been operating a fraudulent migration scheme targeting individuals desperate for employment opportunities abroad,” the police spokesperson added.
The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has since warned members of the public to exercise caution and verify all travel and employment offers through legitimate channels before making any payments. He emphasized that visa and job scams have become increasingly sophisticated, often preying on people’s aspirations to work overseas.
Ogunlowo assured that the command has intensified efforts to clamp down on fraud syndicates operating across the state and would ensure that the suspect faces full prosecution once investigations are concluded.
“The Ogun State Police Command will not relent in its efforts to protect citizens from criminal elements exploiting people’s desperation. The suspect will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
The arrest comes amid rising reports of visa and travel-related scams in Nigeria, prompting police authorities to renew public warnings against unverified agents and fake online platforms promising overseas employment.