The Police Special Fraud Unit has cautioned Nigerians planning to travel abroad to adhere strictly to official visa application procedures in order to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The spokesperson for the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, issued the warning while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday, amid growing reports of visa-related scams across the country.
Ewhubare said fraudsters often pose as embassy officials or travel consultants, using fake websites, urgent messages and false claims of fast-tracked visa approvals to deceive unsuspecting applicants.
He noted that such criminals usually demand payments through unofficial channels, including personal bank accounts, gift cards and other untraceable means.
According to him, operatives of the unit recently arrested a syndicate in the Ago-Okota area of Lagos State for allegedly defrauding members of the public of more than N500m.
The suspects, aged between 23 and 36, were arrested following actionable intelligence and multiple complaints from victims, with preliminary findings showing that the group operated under the cover of an educational consultancy.
Ewhubare said the syndicate targeted applicants seeking Canadian and Australian work visas, adding that over 100 people were reportedly defrauded in the scheme.
He warned travellers to be wary of anyone offering guaranteed visas, unusually quick processing or demanding payments outside recognised platforms, stressing that genuine applications are handled only by embassies, high commissions or authorised channels.
The police spokesman also cautioned against responding to unsolicited messages, emails or social media contacts requesting personal information or urging haste, describing such approaches as clear warning signs of fraud.
He advised members of the public to verify visa requirements through official embassy websites or government-approved agents and to promptly report suspicious activities, noting that strict compliance with due process remains the surest protection against visa scams.