ICPC warns embassies, travel agencies against visa scam

Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission has warned staff of embassies and travel agencies against manipulating
visa procurement, saying anyone found wanting will be prosecuted.
In a statement by its Resident Consultant, Folu Olamiti,
the anti-graft agency said it has “turned its searchlight on corruption-prone
processes in visa acquisition” as a result of ongoing investigations and recent
arrests of culprits throughout the country.

The commission warned travellers, especially desperate
young persons, seeking to undertake business, academic, leisure or medical
trips abroad to be wary of using touts and dubious travel agencies in visa
procurement.
The ICPC said, “Most of these Agents usually hang around
the vicinity of embassies with no fixed addresses.
“Our investigations show that these agents usually make mouth-watering claims
of procuring lucrative jobs, citizenships and academic placements abroad for clients
in addition to procuring visas in record time.
“In some instances, they also state that their clients would not be required to
physically appear for visa interviews at the embassies or High Commissions”, it
added.