The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 23 foreign nationals over their alleged involvement in a Ponzi scheme, visa scam and other immigration-related offences. This happened in the Onipanu-Ota area of the state.
According to The Punch, the suspects were arrested during a police raid on a gated residential building within an estate off Iyana Iyesi, Onipanu-Ota. This followed intelligence about suspected fraudulent activities at the property.
Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi said officers from the Atan-Ota Division moved to the location at about 11am last Tuesday. The officers secured the premises and took the suspects into custody.
“The suspects were arrested in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme/visa scam and other immigration-related offences,” the command said.
Police recover Malian passport
During the operation, officers also recovered an international passport belonging to a Malian national identified as Diakite Alfousseini.
“One Malian international passport bearing the name Diakite Alfousseini was also recovered during the operation,” the police said.
The command said preliminary investigations were carried out after the arrests. These aimed to establish the identities of the suspects and the nature of their alleged activities.
Following the initial investigation, 21 of the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service on August 5. This was for further investigation and necessary action.
Two suspects retained for prosecution
Police said two of the suspects remained in their custody over allegations of Obtaining by False Pretence and other related offences.
They are expected to face prosecution once investigations are concluded.
The command added that investigators were still working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged scheme. They were also trying to identify other individuals who may have been connected to it.
Police maintained that the raid followed credible intelligence. They said further developments would depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
