Ogun police arrest woman for defrauding victims of ₦8.5m in fake Canadian visa scam; suspect confesses to running fraudulent migration scheme

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a woman, Elizabeth Thamson, for allegedly defrauding three people of ₦8.5 million under the guise of securing Canadian work visas.

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Her arrest followed a recent police warning about the surge in online fraud, including fake visa and travel schemes targeting unsuspecting Nigerians.

Confirming the arrest in a statement on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, said the victims were deceived into believing their visas had been approved after undergoing biometric verification as directed by the suspect.

“The victims narrated that after undergoing biometric verification as instructed by the suspect, they were informed that their visas had been approved,” Odutola said.

However, when they presented the documents at the Visa Facilitation Service office in Lagos for verification, they discovered the supposed approval letters were fake.

Odutola added that Thamson confessed to the crime during interrogation, revealing she had been operating a fraudulent migration network preying on job seekers desperate for opportunities abroad.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has ordered a discreet investigation and cautioned residents to remain vigilant.

“He warned members of the public, especially young people, to verify all travel information through official channels and avoid patronising unverified agents,” the police statement added.

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Despite repeated warnings, many Nigerians continue to fall prey to fake travel agents. In a related case earlier this year, police rescued a Ghanaian national, Sammed Iddrisu, who was trafficked to Nigeria under the false promise of European migration.