5 arrested for visa fraud in Nigeria

Five Nigerian men were arrested for allegedly possessing fake U.S. and British visas, officials said. The suspects were said to be members of a syndicate in the port city Lagos trafficking in the forged documents, the Daily Trust of Lagos reported Monday. Raji Oluseyi Michael, Adegoke Johnson, Popoola Oladimeji, St. John Ojo Osaghae and Smart Imafidon were said to have been members of a group passing off fake visas to unsuspecting members of the public hoping to attain legitimate travel documents, officials said. Authorities were tipped off by a suspicious customer who said he paid a member of the group 200,000 naira, or about $1,200, to apply for the visa. The group member then said he would have to pay another 300,000 naira, or $1,900, after his interview with the U.S. embassy. Similar transactions were arranged for obtaining visas to enter the United Kingdom, Nigeria's Special Fraud Unit said.