Fake Travel Agent Arrested Over Alleged N11 Million Canadian Visa Scam

Ikeja, Lagos State — Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command have arrested a 32-year-old man, Balogun Olamide Yusuf, for allegedly defrauding a visa seeker of N11 million under false pretenses.

Yusuf, posing as a travel agent, reportedly promised Mrs. Kolawole Olorunjuwon a Canadian visa but failed to deliver after receiving the money.

However, the suspect allegedly converted the funds for personal use and went into hiding.

The victim filed a petition with the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, prompting officers to launch an investigation.

Meanwhile, acting on intelligence, Yusuf was traced and arrested at a hideout in Lagos.

The suspect was arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Tinubu, Lagos Island, on a three-count charge of impersonation, theft, and conduct likely to breach the peace.

According to the prosecuting counsel, ASP Francis Igbinosa, the alleged crimes took place between September 2023 and July 2024 across Lagos and Ogun states.

Igbinosa informed the court that Yusuf had collected money under the pretense of assisting with securing a Canadian visa.

However, after receiving the funds, he became unreachable, switching off his phones.

The charges against Yusuf fall under Sections 168(1)(b), 314, and 280(1)(b) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

Yusuf pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate Sodiq Bello granted him bail in the sum of N3 million with two sureties of the same amount and adjourned the case to January 2025 for mention.

Meanwhile, the suspect remain in custody at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, until he meets the bail conditions.