Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested an alleged serial fraudster, Imaobong Cyril Okpong, for alleged involvement in a series of visa fraud schemes and fraudulent offers of foreign scholarships for non-existent studies abroad.
Okpong was arrested following claims by a petitioner, Blessing Nse Bassey, a medical doctor, alleging that the suspect defrauded her of the sum of ₦3 million Naira under the guise of securing admission into the university and processing Canadian visa for her and her husband.
According to Bassi, the suspect contacted her sometime in February 2024 with a purported opportunity to gain a scholarship and study visa abroad. He said he did not make any payment until the suspect signed the indemnity agreement, which he notarized before making an electronic transfer of ₦3,000,000 to the suspect’s First Bank account.
ALSO READ: EFCC prosecutes Lagos fintech CEO, companies over alleged ₦442m theft
However, after receiving the payment, Okpong reportedly became out of touch and started rejecting calls on her mobile lines as she completely failed to live up to her promise and the terms of the signed agreement.
Bassey claimed that the suspect defrauded several victims, especially a friend of hers whom she met in China, who was stuck in China when she arrived there and discovered that there were no scholarships.
Some of his victims had traveled abroad with fake documents, leaving many of them stranded abroad, while some others faced deportation with huge financial losses.
The suspect, the alleged proprietor of Michael Udonkwak School, Mberebe in Akwa Ibom State, will be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed.
