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Tag: visa fraud

  • US to impose life ban for visa fraud

    US to impose life ban for visa fraud

    The United States on Monday threatened to impose  life ban on anyone caught committing visa fraud.

    The US Mission in Nigeria issued this warning on its  X page. 

    The US also said criminal charges would be pressed against those who engage in visa fraud and those who bring in and harbor illegal aliens. 

    The message reads: “US government interagency efforts combat fraud and will end illegal immigration. Those who commit visa fraud will be banned from the United States for life.

    “A nation without borders is not a nation. We will pursue criminal charges against those who engage in visa fraud and those who bring in and harbor illegal aliens.”

    The latest is part of ongoing clampdown on immigrants and intending migrants to the US.

    Meanwhile, the US Mission has urged its citizens residing in Nigeria, to comply immediately with new immigration directives from the Nigerian government. 

    The U.S. Embassy in Abuja in a statement on its website, advised all Americans residing in Nigeria to comply with the new directives to avoid penalties that may be imposed for non-compliance.

    The statement dated July 7, 2025, reads: “The US Embassy in Abuja informs US citizens that effective August 1, 2025, the Nigerian Federal Government will begin imposing strict penalties on foreigners who have overstayed their visas.

    To provide an opportunity for affected individuals to comply with immigration regulations, an online immigration amnesty portal is available until the end of July. The portal allows visitors to regularise their stay before the penalties are enforced.

    “US citizens currently in Nigeria who have overstayed their visa are strongly encouraged to regularise their stay through the amnesty portal before July 31, 2025. Failure to do so may result in significant financial penalties and long-term restrictions on re-entry to Nigeria. All U.S. citizens are reminded to adhere to Nigerian visa regulations to avoid complications.”

    The advisory became necessary following Nigeria’s recently announced strict penalties for  foreigners who overstayed their visas in the country.

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    Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo had said foreigners who overstayed their visas in the country  will pay fines and  get a visa ban.

    He further encouraged all foreigners in Nigeria to regularise their immigration status through the immigration amnesty portal, which would be available until the end of July.

    The embassy further noted that, as part of broader immigration reforms, Nigeria’s Interior Ministry introduced a $15 daily surcharge for each day a visitor overstays their visa, effective May 1, 2025. An amnesty period, during which individuals can regularise their status without incurring fines, will end on July 31, 2025.

    “And the penalties after August 1 include that visitors who fail to regularise their status by the end of the amnesty period will be subject to the accrued daily surcharge. Overstays of six months or more will result in a five-year ban on re-entry.

    “Overstays of one year or more will result in a 10-year re-entry ban. The newly launched portal enables holders of expired visa-on-arrival permits, lapsed single-entry visas, or overdue expatriate residence cards to: Submit applications for a stay permit online, Upload required supporting documents, Obtain clearance without visiting an immigration office, This streamlined system eliminates the need for in-person visits, long queues, and additional fees, making compliance with immigration requirements more accessible,” it added.

  • Man arraigned over alleged N1.7m visa fraud

    Man arraigned over alleged N1.7m visa fraud

    A man, Taoheed Oladapo, 38, yesterday appeared before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, over an alleged N1.7 million visa fraud.

      Oladapo was charged with obtaining money under false pretence and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.

      The prosecutor, Insp Olalekan Adegbite, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime last December, at Abayomi, Ibadan.

      Adegbite said the defendant fraudulently obtained the money from one Ibrahim Addulganiyu, with the pretext to secure a Vietnam visa and ticket for him, but failed to do so.

    Read Also: Court acquits travel agent accused of Brazilian Visa fraud

    He said the defendant rather converted the money to his personal use.

    Adegbite said the offences contravened sections 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Oluwabusayo Osho, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million and two reliable sureties.

    She subsequently adjourned the case until August 27, for hearing.

  • Consultant arraigned for alleged N2.23m visa fraud

    A consultant, Daniel Akpan, yesterday appeared at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for alleged N2.23 million Australian visa fraud.

    Akpan, 34, who lives in Ikotun, Lagos, is charged with conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Inspector Victor Eruada said Akpan and one other at large committed the offence between November and December 2018 at 22, Modupe Ayode Street, Araromi, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

    He alleged that the defendant obtained N2.23 million from the complainant, Mr. Osita Nnamani, with a promise to secure an Australian visa for him.

    Eruada said Akpan failed to procure the visa and refused to return the money.

    Chief Magistrate M. I. Dan-Oni admitted the defendant to N500, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    “The sureties should be employed, show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified.”

    The case continues on April 3.

  • Man, 58, arraigned for alleged N1m visa fraud

    A 58-year-old man, Adesokan Olusola, has been arraigned at an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for alleged visa fraud.

    His address was not provided.

    The prosecutor, Inspector Caleb Leranmo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 14 in Ado-Ekiti.

    He said Olusola allegedly obtained N1 million from Mr Ganiyu Ibrahim on the pretext of procuring a travel visa for him to travel abroad.

    According to him, the offence contravenes Section 419 of Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    The prosecutor prayed the court to adjourn the matter to enable him study the case file and present his witnesses.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty and his lawyer, Mr Simeon Ojo, urged the court to grant him bail with a promise that he would not jump bail.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Ajibade, granted bail to the defendant for N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She adjourned the matter until September 6 for hearing.

  • Man arraigned over N1 million visa ‘fraud’

    A 58-year-old man, Adesokan Olusola, has appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court over alleged fraud.

    The defendant, whose address was not provided, is being tried for alleged visa fraud.

    Read Also:http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/man-arraigned-for-n1-3m-fraud/

    The prosecutor, Insp Caleb Leranmo, told the Court that ‎the defendant committed the offence on April 14 in Ado-Ekiti.

    He said the defendant ‎obtained N1 million from the complainant, Mr Ganiyu Ibrahim, on pretext of procuring him travelling visa to travel abroad.

    According to him, the offence contravened Section 419 of Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    The prosecutor asked the Court for adjournment to enable him ‎to study the case file and present his witnesses.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Mr Simeon Ojo, urged the Court to grant him bail, promising that he would not jump bail.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Ajibade, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100,000, with two sureties in like sum.

    Ajibade adjourned the case until September 6 for hearing.

  • Man arraigned for alleged visa fraud

    The police at the weekend arraigned Sunday Oke, 38, at an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ekiti State, for alleged visa fraud.

    The accused, of no fixed address, is standing trial on a one-count charge of fraud.

    Prosecutor Johnson Okunade alleged the accused collected N620,000 from Mr Damilola Kolade on the pretence of securing United Arab Emirates’ visa for him.

    He told the court the accused committed the offence on January 2 at a branch of a bank in Ado-Ekiti.

    Okunade said the offence contravened Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti, 2012.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty, and was granted bail by Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye at N200,000 with two sureties.

    He adjourned the case till June 13 for hearing.

  • Police arrest 12 for alleged visa fraud

    The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) has arrested 12 Nigerians at the United States of America (USA) Embassy for their alleged involvement in visa fraud.

    The suspects are: Oloni Olufemi Olawale, Olugbenga Akinlade, Motunrayo Adeniyi, Samuel Ojo, Ogundipe Temidayo Emmanuel, Babatunde Oluropo Abiola, Babatunde Alexandra Adenike, Oyewole Emmanuel Tunde, Abelese Eunice Olayinka, Christiana Oweyu Omagu, Donald Omagu and Idrisu Tella Martins.

    PSFU spokesperson, Ngozi Isintume-Agu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said they were arrested between July 9 and 17.

    She said a petition from the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos alleged that a person, simply identified as Esther, with December 31, 1988 as date of birth, appeared at the embassy for Non-Immigrant Visa Interview with forged Canadian Visa, Turkish Visa, and Angola Visa, with entry and exit stamps, claiming to have visited the said countries.

    Investigation revealed that the said visas were purportedly forged by her boyfriend, Olawale, to fraudulently obtain the U.S. visa after paying him N100,000 for all the fake visas.

    The US embassy also alleged that Olugbenga with Passport No. A0573775 appeared before it for an immigrant visa interview with fake name, Awoleye Oluwamuyiwa Tope with January 1, 1982 as date of birth.

    It was also gathered that Adewole Tanwa Fatimah ‘F’ whose real name is Adeniyi Motunrayo appeared at the U.S. Embassy with Adewole Adeyemi Oluwaseun for a diversity visa interview.

    Isintume-Agu said: “Also, one Omoyemi Bamikole Olaiya, born on January 22, 1984, whose real name is Samuel Ojo, appeared for a diversity visa lottery.  He knowingly and fraudulently appeared at the embassy to steal the identity of the real winner. The U.S. Consulate alleged that Ibenne Emmanuel Nkem on July 15, came for U.S. Immigrant Visa with Nigerian e-passport No. A05593775.  The suspect’s real name is Ogundipe Temidayo Emmanuel.  The suspect’s intention was to defraud the real winner of the DV Lottery.

    “Babatunde Oluropo Abiola and Babatunde Alexandra Adenike presented forged bio-data, wedding pictures, marriage certificate and fake result to the embassy.  Their real names are Oguntimehin Olanike and Aderoju Olayinka Eunice.

    Also one Aderoju Adebayo Qasim and Aderoju Olayinka Eunice presented forged bio-data and fake document to the embassy for immigrant visa.  Their real names are Oyewole Emmanuel Tunde and Abelese Eunice Olayinka. Both suspects fraudulently appeared at the embassy to steal the identity of the real winner of the Diversity Visa Lottery.

    She said all the suspects will be charged to court to serve as a deterrent to others after conclusion of investigations.