Police arrest 23 foreign nationals for alleged Ponzi scheme, visa scam

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have raided a residential building and arrested 23 foreign nationals in connection with an alleged ponzi scheme, visa scam and other immigration-related offences in Ota area of the state.


The suspects were arrested last Tuesday at about 11 am by operatives attached to Atan-Ota Division of the Command.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi said the raid followed credible intelligence received by the Command.

He said, “On 4th August, 2026, at about 1100hrs, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Atan-Ota Division raided a gated residential building within an estate off Iyana Iyesi, Onipanu-Ota, where 23 foreign nationals were arrested in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme/visa scam and other immigration-related offences.

“The operation followed intelligence received by the police concerning suspected fraudulent activities at the location.

“Police personnel promptly mobilised, secured the premises and arrested the suspects for further investigation.”

Babaseyi noted that one Malian international passport bearing the name Diakite Alfousseini was recovered during the operation.

He disclosed that following preliminary investigation, 21 of the suspects were formally handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further immigration-related investigation and appropriate action.

The PRO stated that two suspects were retained by the Police for prosecution in connection with Obtaining by False Pretence (OBT) and other related offences, subject to the conclusion of investigation.

“Investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged fraudulent activities and identify any other persons connected with the scheme,” the spokesperson added.

In another development, operatives attached to Itele Division arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered one locally fabricated cut-to-size double-barrel pistol, criminal charms, one Tecno Android phone and one UBA ATM card.

The spokesperson stated that the suspect and one other who is at large attempted to rob a motorcyclist at gunpoint along Orji Block Area, Itele.

“On 3rd August, 2026, at about 0048hrs, the Itele Division received a distress report from a commercial motorcyclist alleging that two passengers he picked up at Three Crown Bus Stop attempted to rob him at gunpoint along Orji Block Area, Itele.

“Acting swiftly on the distress call, Police personnel immediately mobilised to the location, leading to the arrest of Babatunde Olasunkanmi ‘M’, who allegedly pointed a locally fabricated cut-to-size double-barrel pistol at the victim while his accomplice made away with the victim’s red Bajaj motorcycle,” he added.

The PRO added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice, while the suspect and exhibits would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet investigation.