Woman Arrested Over Alleged ₦42m Visa Scam Targeting 90 Travellers

(Nigeria Police. Photo by TVC News)

Officers of the Ondo State Police Command have taken into custody a 33-year-old woman, Adejoke Ayomide, in connection with an alleged ₦42.3 million visa scheme.

The command’s spokesperson disclosed the arrest in a statement, alleging that the suspect defrauded more than 90 individuals by presenting herself as a travel consultant capable of securing visas to Spain, Portugal, and France.

According to the police, Ayomide, who resides on Adesoye Street, Abeokuta, Ogun State, was apprehended following a petition submitted to the command by a law firm.

Investigators allege the suspect received approximately ₦42,326,000 through a mobile payment platform from victims who paid for European visa processing services.

The suspect reportedly became unreachable after collecting the funds, prompting affected individuals to report the matter to law enforcement.

The police spokesperson explained that the suspect allegedly represented herself as capable of securing travel documentation for multiple European destinations, and victims subsequently entrusted her with processing travel arrangements for more than 93 intending travellers.

Preliminary investigation findings indicate the suspect allegedly collected funds under the pretext of visa processing services.

The suspect remains in police custody and has reportedly provided useful information during questioning, while investigators continue working to identify potential accomplices and determine whether additional victims exist. She will face prosecution once investigations conclude.

A comparable incident was previously reported in November, when the Ogun State Police Command arrested another woman for allegedly defrauding three individuals of ₦8.5 million under the guise of facilitating Canadian work visas.

That arrest occurred shortly after the command had issued warnings to residents regarding increasing incidents of online fraud, including fraudulent dating platforms, travel and visa scams, and other schemes targeting unsuspecting victims.