In continuation of its series of advisories to the general public on various corruption schemes that fraudulent individuals employ to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) hereby warns visa seekers, who want to travel to other countries, of a new fraud scheme that many others have fallen victim of.
The perpetrators of this fraudulent scheme produce unfilled foils of foreign countries’ visas e.g. United States, UK, etc. which are then completed with the personal details of the visa seeker. These visas are passed off as genuine to unsuspecting visa applicants and, of course, at the payment of huge fees. However, the truth of the matter is that these visas are forged as they are not in the records of the purportedly issuing embassies.
Only recently, ICPC secured the conviction of Mr. Nasiru Bayo Kosebinu who was arraigned before Justice A.A.I. Banjoko of High Court 10, Gudu, Abuja, for forgery and being in possession of forged documents as well as uncompleted fake visa foils contrary to sections 364 and 368 of the Penal Code, Cap.532 laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and which he had intended to use to defraud unsuspecting visa applicants.
When the two count-charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty. The prosecution then opened its case, led evidence and closed the case.
The accused was then called upon to enter his defence whereupon he changed his plea to guilty to the charge preferred against him.
The trial judge, upon application by the prosecution counsel for summary trial in view of the evidence led, convicted and sentenced the accused, Mr. Kosebinu, to two years imprisonment.
In view of this and other similar cases, ICPC wishes to reiterate its warning to the general public to be wary of such individuals and to ensure that they go through the proper channels and procedures for the procurement of travel visas to foreign countries.
The Commission hereby warns persons involved in such fraudulent acts to desist, as it will continue to hunt down and bring to book all those who engage in acts that bring Nigeria into disrepute.