Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested ten Cameroonian nationals over their alleged involvement in a sophisticated visa fraud and human trafficking syndicate operating within the state.
The suspects, made up of five men and five women, were reportedly deceiving unsuspecting victims mostly fellow Cameroonians with false promises of securing visas, work permits, and residency documents to countries such as Mauritius, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
According to police sources, the group collected millions of naira from victims for travel arrangements that never materialised.
Investigations further revealed that several members of the syndicate did not possess valid travel documents, raising concerns about their entry into Nigeria.
The syndicate allegedly operated under the guise of a networking business but was primarily focused on recruiting and exploiting individuals.
They reportedly used social media platforms to project a fake lifestyle, sharing staged photos and videos taken in luxury locations, including airports, to convince victims that relocation abroad had been successful.
Victims were also coached on how to communicate with family and friends in order to lure more people into the scheme.
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One victim narrated that she paid 800,000 CFA francs (approximately ₦2 million) after being persuaded by a contact who claimed to be working in Mauritius.
She was instructed to travel to Nigeria for visa processing, only to discover that the supposed embassy was a regular office. She was later taken to a residence in Lagos where her phone and documents were seized, and she was forced to participate in the fraudulent operation.
Another victim disclosed paying about 1.5 million CFA francs (approximately ₦3.5 million) for what she was told would be a complete travel package, including a Mauritius passport and residence permit.
Instead, she was introduced to the same recruitment-based scheme and closely monitored during communications with her family.
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba, for a comprehensive investigation, citing the cross-border nature of the crime.
Authorities have assured the public of their commitment to dismantling trafficking networks and bringing all those involved to justice.
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