The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 23 foreign nationals over alleged involvement in a Ponzi scheme, visa fraud and other immigration-related offences in the Onipanu-Ota area of the state.
The suspects were apprehended during a police operation at a gated residential facility within an estate off Iyana-Iyesi, Onipanu-Ota.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspects were arrested at about 11am last Tuesday following intelligence on alleged fraudulent activities at the location.
According to the statement, operatives of the Atan-Ota Divisional Police Headquarters moved to the area after receiving credible information, secured the premises and arrested the suspects for questioning.
The police said a Malian international passport bearing the name Diakite Alfousseini was also recovered during the operation.
The statement read, “The suspects were arrested in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme/visa scam and other immigration-related offences.”
The command said preliminary investigation was conducted after the arrest, adding that 21 of the suspects were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service on August 5 for further investigation and necessary action.
However, the police said two suspects remained in its custody to face possible prosecution over alleged obtaining by false pretence and other related offences, pending the completion of investigations.
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The command said investigations were continuing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged scheme and establish whether other individuals were involved.
The police assured that appropriate action would be taken against anyone found culpable after the conclusion of the investigation.
