FAKE VISA AGENT CHARGED OVER N9.8M STUDY ABROAD FRAUD

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On Tuesday, the police brought a 40-year-old fraudulent visa agent, Timothy Atolagbe, before a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Iba. He was charged with allegedly defrauding a victim of N9,879,928.00 under the false pretense of assisting with obtaining a Canadian study visa.

Atolagbe, who appeared before Magistrate D. S. Odukoya, faces four charges related to conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretenses, and forgery, which were brought against him by the police.

Inspector Chinedu Njoku, the police prosecutor, informed the court that Atolagbe, along with others who are still at large, conspired to commit the offenses between July 2023 and June 2024.

Njoku further told the court that the crime took place in Ajangbadi, a suburb of Lagos State, where Atolagbe allegedly took the money from a prospective student, Damilola Michael, under the false promise of helping him secure a Canadian study visa.

The prosecutor also revealed that Atolagbe forged documents from CBBC Career College, Canada, to deceive Michael into paying the money, fully aware that the documents were fake.

Njoku added that Atolagbe also collected N150,000 from Durosimi Adeola, pretending that he could help secure employment for him, a claim he knew to be untrue.

The police prosecutor explained that the offenses committed by Atolagbe contravened Sections 411, 314 (1)(a), and 365 (2)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.

In response to the charges, Atolagbe pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Odukoya granted Atolagbe bail in the amount of N4 million, with two sureties each in a like sum.

The court also instructed that the sureties’ evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and their addresses be verified before the bail could be finalized.

Magistrate Odukoya then adjourned the case for mention until January 17, 2025.

The hearing will continue on that date to review the progress of the case.