75 Nigerians Lose Over ₦100m in Alleged Canada Visa Scam

75 Nigerians Lose Over ₦100m in Alleged Canada Visa Scam

No fewer than 75 Nigerians have reportedly lost more than ₦100 million to an alleged Canada visa scam, after being promised relocation, employment, and caregiver opportunities in Canada by suspected fraudulent agents.

The victims, driven by hopes of securing a better life abroad, reportedly paid between ₦3 million and ₦12 million each for what they believed was a fast-tracked Canadian work visa and caregiver job placement programme.

Many of them said they sold personal property, rented out their apartments, resigned from their jobs, and borrowed money to raise the required funds demanded by the alleged facilitators of the scheme.

One of the victims, identified as Mr. Promise, allegedly paid ₦11 million and even resigned from his job after being assured that his Canada visa processing had reached an advanced stage.

Sources close to him said he also convinced his younger brother to join the programme, describing it as a “golden opportunity” to relocate abroad.

A family source said the development has left him financially devastated. According to the source, the victim now struggles to provide for his family and has been forced to shuttle between Port Harcourt and his village in search of means of survival. The source added that the victim is currently battling health challenges linked to the emotional and financial stress caused by the loss of his money.

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At the centre of the controversy is Dr. Nekebari Nathan Dambere, a self-acclaimed travel trainer and medical doctor who was previously arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Port Harcourt over an alleged ₦39.1 million visa fraud case.

The anti-graft agency accused him of involvement in a fraudulent Canada visa arrangement, although the matter remains subject to legal proceedings.

When contacted for clarification, Dambere admitted that he is not a licensed travel agent but rather a travel trainer who sometimes connects clients with intermediaries handling immigration processing.

According to him, payments made through him by individuals seeking relocation opportunities amount to about ₦100 million. He explained that the funds were transferred to various middlemen both within Nigeria and outside the country who claimed they could facilitate Canadian visas and job placements.

Dambere said the agents involved have begun discussions about refunding the money in instalments, although he did not provide a specific timeframe for when the refunds would be completed.

He appealed for patience from victims, noting that both the EFCC and the Nigeria Police are working to help recover the funds from the intermediaries involved.

Dambere’s lawyer, Barrister Stanley Princewill, said his client had already started refunding some of the money before the matter was escalated to anti-graft authorities.

According to the lawyer, the situation became complicated after some victims reported the case to the EFCC, which resulted in the suspect’s arrest and legal proceedings. He urged the victims to cooperate with efforts aimed at recovering the funds rather than escalating tensions.

Princewill also maintained that Dambere primarily trains caregivers and assists them with job opportunities abroad, particularly in Canada and other countries.

However, several victims disputed that claim, alleging that after realising he could not deliver the promised visas, the suspect deleted the WhatsApp group created for the applicants and opened another group to recruit new participants.

They claimed that about 75 individuals paid millions of naira each for the supposed Canadian immigration and caregiver job programme, but none has received the promised visa or employment.

Angered by the situation, the victims have now come together to pursue legal action to recover their funds.

They have submitted a petition to the Nigeria Police, Rivers State Command, calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged Canada visa fraud and demanding that the suspect refund their money as quickly as possible.

Some victims who spoke anonymously expressed doubts about whether they would ever recover their funds.

One victim said the prolonged delay has shattered their trust in the entire process, stressing that what they want now is simply a refund rather than the promised visa or documentation.

Another victim explained that many of them sold property, rented out their houses, and borrowed money from friends and relatives to raise the required payment.

They also alleged that the suspect has been largely out of public view since last year, making it difficult for victims to determine how or when their funds will be returned.

When contacted for an official reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she needed time to verify details of the case before issuing an official statement.

The incident highlights the rising cases of fake visa agents and immigration scams targeting Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad, especially those pursuing caregiver and healthcare jobs in Canada.

Experts have repeatedly advised prospective migrants to verify immigration consultants and process applications through official government channels to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

75 Nigerians Lose Over ₦100m in Alleged Canada Visa Scam