Anti-graft agency investigates alleged impostor travel document broker in connection with N20m fraud scheme

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's Enugu Zonal Directorate has launched an investigation into the alleged fraudulent activities of a suspect, according to the commission's spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who made the announcement on Monday in Abuja.

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Oyewale revealed that the suspect is currently being questioned for allegedly defrauding three individuals, Osmond Ugwu, Ugwu Chidubem, and Amadiani Chinedu, of a total of N19.9 million, under the guise of assisting them with visa processing.

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Ugwu claimed to have met the suspect in 2018 while planning to travel abroad, and the suspect presented himself as a visa agent, offering a Red Cross-sponsored visa to the United States of America for N1.8 million, excluding flight tickets.

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According to Oyewale, Ugwu paid a total of N11.8 million to the suspect, including N4 million for the initial arrangement and additional payments.

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The second petitioner, Chidubem, alleged that the suspect conspired with an accomplice to defraud him of N5.9 million, promising to procure genuine documents to further his football career abroad.

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Chinedu, the third victim, claimed that the suspect defrauded him of N2.2 million, promising to secure a work permit and visa for his migration to Australia.

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Preliminary investigations uncovered that the 44-year-old suspect, an electrical engineer, was posing as a licensed visa processing agent, despite not being authorized to operate as a travel agent.

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The suspect will be charged in court once the investigation is complete, Oyewale stated.

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This case contributes to the growing concerns surrounding the activities of unlicensed travel agents and visa merchants who take advantage of Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.