Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Detectives from the Lagos State Police Command have arrested 10 Cameroonian nationals, five men and five women, for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated human trafficking and visa fraud scheme that defrauded unsuspecting victims of millions of naira with false promises of overseas opportunities. The syndicate, which operated under the guise of a networking business, lured fellow Cameroonians to Nigeria with promises of securing visas, work permits and residency documents for destinations including Mauritius, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, a police source disclosed on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
Investigators discovered that several of the suspects lacked valid passports and visas, raising questions about how they entered Nigeria. The group allegedly used social media platforms to project a lifestyle of luxury and international travel, staging photographs and videos in luxurious environments, including airports, to create the false impression that members had successfully relocated abroad. Victims were coached on what to tell their families and friends in order to recruit more people into the scheme, according to a police source. One victim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that she was lured by a friend who claimed to be living and working in Mauritius and paid 800,000 CFA francs, equivalent to about N2 million, for travel documents and relocation. Upon arriving in Lagos, she discovered that instead of processing her travel documents, she had been recruited into a networking scheme at a residence in the Epe area of the state.
The victim further alleged that members' phones and documents were confiscated, while they were taken to airports and tourist sites to take photographs and videos that falsely portrayed them as living abroad. Members were monitored while communicating with their families and coached on what to say to convince others to join the scheme. She said she was denied a refund when she requested to return home and was asked to recruit another person before she could recover her money. Her cousin was later convinced to pay another 800,000 CFA francs after being led to believe she had successfully relocated overseas. Another victim said she paid about 1.5 million CFA francs, approximately N3.5 million, for travel documents. Upon arriving in Lagos, she discovered that instead of processing her travel documents, the suspects introduced her to the networking business and trained participants on strategies for recruiting more people. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, directed that the case be transferred from the Egbeda Tactical Unit to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further investigation. The case is now being handled by the Human Rights Unit of the SCID under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, DCP Dayo Akinbisehin.
The police source said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. The police have urged members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with overseas job offers and to verify the authenticity of recruitment agents before making any payments or commitments. The arrest of the 10 Cameroonians is part of ongoing efforts by the Lagos State Police Command to crack down on human trafficking and fraud syndicates operating in the state. The investigation is continuing, and police are working to uncover the full scope of the syndicate and identify additional victims and collaborators.
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