Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Mrs. Imaobong Cyril Okpong for alleged involvement in visa fraud and fake foreign scholarship schemes.
The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, following a petition by Dr. (Mrs.) Blessing Nse Bassey, a medical practitioner, who claimed the suspect defrauded her of N3 million under the pretext of securing university admission and Canadian visas for her and her husband.
According to the petitioner, Okpong approached her in February 2024 with an offer to facilitate a scholarship and study visa abroad. Bassey said she only made payment after the suspect signed a notarised indemnity agreement, after which she transferred the funds electronically.
“After receiving the payment, the suspect became unreachable and started rejecting calls, failing to honour the agreement,” the statement read.
The EFCC said Bassey also alleged that Okpong had defrauded other victims, including a friend who was stranded in China after discovering the scholarship was fake. Some victims reportedly travelled abroad with forged documents, resulting in deportation and financial losses.
The commission added that Okpong is the alleged proprietor of Michael Udonquak Schools in Mbierebe, Akwa Ibom State, and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
