EFCC interrogates suspected serial fraudster over alleged N19.9m visa scam

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have launched an extensive investigation into the activities of Osogu Christian Ogbonna, a suspected serial fraudster accused of obtaining N19,900,000 from three victims under the guise of assisting them with visa processing.

The investigation stems from petitions filed by Osmond Chukwuebuka Ugwu, Ugwu Chidubem, and Amadiani Gilbert Chinedu, who all alleged they were heavily defrauded by Ogbonna.

Ugwu claimed his ordeal began in 2018 when the suspect, presenting himself as a visa agent, offered him a Red Cross-sponsored visa to the United States for an initial cost of N1.8 million.

Ugwu allegedly made an initial payment of N4 million for the arrangement and followed up with subsequent payments totaling N11.8 million.

Another petitioner, Chidubem, asserted that the suspect conspired with a friend to defraud him of N5.9 million under the false assurance of procuring genuine documents to advance his football career abroad.

The third victim, Chinedu, alleged that the suspect swindled him out of N2.2 million meant for procuring a work permit and an accompanying visa to migrate to Australia.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the EFCC revealed that the 44-year-old electrical engineer had been parading himself as a legitimate visa processing agent to facilitate easy migration, despite not being a licensed travel agency operator.

The Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that the suspect will be charged to court as soon as the ongoing investigations are brought to a conclusive end.