23 foreigners operating Ponzi scheme nabbed in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 23 foreign nationals over alleged involvement in a Ponzi scheme, visa scam and other immigration-related offences in the Onipanu-Ota area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt from the statement signed by the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, that the suspects were arrested last Tuesday, at about 11am, when operatives of the Atan-Ota Division raided a gated residential building within an estate off Iyana Iyesi, Onipanu-Ota.

According to the statement, the operation followed credible intelligence received about suspected fraudulent activities at the location.

The command added that its personnel promptly mobilised to the area, secured the premises and arrested the 23 suspects for further investigation.

One Malian international passport bearing the name Diakite Alfousseini was also recovered during the operation,” the police disclosed.

The command said “the suspects were arrested in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme/visa scam and other immigration-related offences,” adding that preliminary investigation was conducted after their arrest.

According to the statement, the investigation revealed that 21 of the suspects were formally handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service on August 5 for further investigation and appropriate action.

The command disclosed that the police retained two of the suspects for prosecution over alleged Obtaining by False Pretence and other related offences, subject to the conclusion of the investigation.

The police revealed that an investigation was ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged fraudulent activities and identify other persons connected with the scheme, stressing that the operation followed credible intelligence received by the police.The