The special fraud unit (SFU) of the police has
expressed concern over increasing number of
Nigerians allegedly involved in using fake documents
to seek Italian visa.

In an interview with NAN, Lawal Audu, spokesman of
the unit, said the Italian embassy sends an average of
50 Nigerian passports with fake document to SFU
monthly.

Audu noted that before now, Canada used to complain
of such high numbers of fake documents, adding that
attention had shifted to Italy now.

“The Italian embassy sent to SFU about 50 Nigerian
Passports monthly with complaints of forged
documents,” he said.

“We have charged more than 15 persons to court for
presenting fake document between January and May,
2017.

“Documents the applicants always forged include bank
statements, health insurance certificates, invitation
letters from Italy, letters of introduction and letter of
employment from multinational companies.

“Italian consulate normally checks all supporting
document for any applicant. They are very meticulous
in checking.

“We have many passports with such complaints in
large numbers.

“Once any embassy or high commission discovers
irregularities in any application, they request the
applicant to come to SFU for clearance; many never
came to us.

“After waiting for some time, we go out to look for such
applicants.

“Many of the applicants used fake names and
addresses. Even their mobile phone numbers are with
fake names and addresses. Some phone numbers
have babies’ names for registration.”

The image maker said that a major challenge faced by
the unit was difficulty in tracking applicants due to
lack of national data for identity.

Audu said two men, who allegedly specialised in
forging visa payment slips and fake visa procurement,
were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday in Lagos
Island.

He said the suspects, aged 28 and 31 respectively,
were arrested after a complaint by the American
embassy on the use of fake receipt to seek for their
visa.

“The suspects, who claimed to be working as online
appointment agents to the American embassy, are
both single,” he said.

“They allegedly specialise in manipulating visa
payment receipts by using Corel Draw application in
Microsoft Word to edit payment slip in order to use
same for more than one applicant.

“Trouble started for them when one applicant (name
withheld) paid the sum of N60,000 into one of the
suspects’ account with GT Bank for appointment/visa
fee for his son.

“The suspect, instead of making payment upon receipt
of the money, opted to buy already used payment
receipt belonging to another applicant from the second
suspect.

“The first suspect paid N30, 000 to the second
suspect who used Corel draw application to
manipulate and made booking for their client.

‘‘The American embassy noticed the irregularities and
decided to invite the applicant, who then revealed the
suspects.”

Similarly, a 34-year old single mother, was also
arrested for allegedly using forged document to seek
for visas to the UK, US and China.

Audu said that the woman, who had been refused visa
to UK twice, allegedly procured fake document to
appear before the American consulate with Passport
No. A0055907 containing fake UK visa and Heathrow’s
Immigration stamp.

“The suspect confessed that she employed the service
of one Olawale, a document vendor in Ibadan, to
procure fake UK, Chinese visas and departure/arrival
stamps, including various African countries on her
passport in order to give her previous travel history,”
he said.

“Members of the public should desist from patronising
visa vendors as it can have adverse effect on their
identities, which may affect them in future.

“All cases are under investigation, suspects will be
charged to court soon.”

TheCable