Ten Cameroonians Nabbed in Lagos for Alleged Human Trafficking, Visa Scam

Ten Cameroonians Nabbed in Lagos for Alleged Human Trafficking, Visa Scam
Victims Duped of Millions as Suspects Held Over Fake Canada, UK, Mauritius Visa Scheme
Victims Forced Into Networking Scheme

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 10 Cameroonian nationals over an alleged human trafficking and visa fraud syndicate accused of swindling victims out of millions of naira under the guise of facilitating foreign relocation.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the suspects, made up of five men and five women, were reportedly involved in a scheme that targeted fellow Cameroonians with promises of securing visas, work permits and residency documents for countries including Mauritius, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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Investigators alleged that victims paid substantial sums for the promised travel arrangements, which never materialised.

Police sources disclosed that some of the suspects were unable to produce valid international passports or visas, raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding their entry into Nigeria.

According to the source, the syndicate operated under the cover of a networking business, but investigations indicated that its primary activity involved recruiting and exploiting unsuspecting individuals.

The suspects allegedly used social media platforms to create a false image of successful migration by posting photographs and videos taken at airports, tourist centres and luxury locations to convince prospective victims that members had relocated abroad.

Victims were also reportedly coached on what to tell relatives and friends in order to attract more people into the scheme.

Given the cross-border nature of the allegations, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Tijani, directed that the case be transferred from the Egbeda Tactical Unit to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, for further investigation under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police Dayo Akinbisehin.

One victim narrated how she was persuaded by a friend who claimed to be living and working in Mauritius. She said she paid 800,000 CFA francs, estimated at about N2 million, to process travel documents and facilitate her relocation.

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She alleged that she was informed Mauritius had no embassy in Cameroon and was advised to travel to Nigeria for visa processing and flight arrangements.

Upon arriving in Lagos, she said she was lodged in a hotel and later taken to what she believed was an embassy office, only to discover it was an ordinary office where she was asked to sign documents she did not fully understand.

The victim claimed she was later moved to a residence in Epe, where she was informed that the actual business was a networking scheme. According to her, her phone and travel documents were confiscated, while she and others were taken to airports and tourist attractions to pose for photographs and videos that were uploaded online to lure more victims.

She further alleged that when she requested a refund and sought to return home, she was told her money was non-refundable and that she would have to recruit another person before recovering her funds.

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

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

However, upon arrival in Lagos, she discovered that instead of processing travel documents, the suspects introduced her to a networking business and trained participants on methods for recruiting others.

The victim alleged that members were closely monitored during conversations with their families and instructed on how to give the impression that they had successfully relocated overseas.