Two Nigerians and two Chinese have been apprehended by the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, in Lagos for operating a fake embassy.
The suspects were identified as Liu Honyang, 47, Sun Xinai, 49 ; Oriyomi Olawale, 47 and Desmond Chinedu, 25.
They were arrested following complaints by victims of their fraudulent activities, who reported the case at the RRS headquarters.
Punch Metro reports that the ’embassy’ which issued mainly Trinidad and Tobago’s visas is located at Golden Point and Suite on Duduyemi Street in Ejigbo, Lagos.
Their arrest was said to be based on reports received from victims of the fake embassy and RRS confirmation from Trinidad embassy in the country that the visas were fake, while disowning the Chinese.
Some RRS policemen were said to have lodged in the hotel for nine days, watching and monitoring the activities of the suspects before their eventual arrest.
One of the victims, Adekunle Adefuye, while narrating his ordeal, said he met them through one of their agents, one Dorcas Slyver.
He said, “I told her about my intention and zeal to travel to the United States. She told me to come to Lagos that she could procure the American visa for me.
“On getting to Lagos, she took me to the Chinese and I was advised to travel to Trinidad and Tobago. They said I would secure employment with at least $3,000 salary.
“I paid a total sum of N1.3m in installment for the process, including visa processing and flight fare.”
“I was arrested immediately I got to Trinidad and Tobago on October 19, 2016, by the country’s immigration officers for coming into the country with a fake visa.
“I was arrested with another Nigerian. We spent two days with the police. They treated us like criminals trying to enter the country illegally. We were deported on October 22, 2016, and arrived in Nigeria the following day,” he added.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the police is still on the hunt for other agents of the fake embassy at large.
She said, “Members of the public should be wary of visa agents. Anyone who wishes to travel out of the country should direct their applications to the embassies.”
The PPRO added that the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, for further investigation.
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