The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 23 foreign nationals in Ota over alleged involvement in a Ponzi scheme, visa fraud and other immigration-related offences.
The suspects were apprehended on August 4 by operatives of the Atan-Ota Divisional Police Headquarters following intelligence on alleged fraudulent activities taking place inside a gated residential building in an estate off Iyana Iyesi, Onipanu-Ota.
According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the police received credible intelligence about suspicious activities at the premises and swiftly mobilised operatives to the location.
The officers reportedly arrived at about 11am, secured the premises and arrested the 23 foreign nationals found at the location.
Babaseyi, in a statement, said the suspects were being investigated for alleged involvement in a Ponzi scheme, visa scam and other offences connected with immigration.
He said, “On 4th August, 2026, at about 1100hrs, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Atan-Ota Division raided a gated residential building within an estate off Iyana Iyesi, Onipanu-Ota, where 23 foreign nationals were arrested in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme/visa scam and other immigration-related offences.
“The operation followed intelligence received by the police concerning suspected fraudulent activities at the location.
“Police personnel promptly mobilised, secured the premises and arrested the suspects for further investigation.”
Following preliminary investigation, 21 of the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service on August 5 for further investigation and necessary action.
The remaining two suspects were, however, retained by the police for possible prosecution over alleged obtaining by false pretence and other related offences.
The command said investigations were ongoing to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the alleged fraudulent activities and determine whether other individuals were involved in the operation.
The development has raised fresh concerns over the activities of suspected fraud networks operating under the cover of residential establishments, particularly where alleged visa scams and financial schemes involving foreign nationals are concerned.
The Nigeria Immigration Service is expected to take charge of the immigration-related aspects of the case involving the 21 suspects transferred to its custody, while the police continue investigations into the allegations against the two suspects retained by the command.