Visa/Passport Scam: SFU Arraigns Fraudulent American Passport Applicant For Forgery, Impersonation And False Declaration On Affidavit

The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) has arraigned one Ogoamaka Chukwuemeka Emmanuel, an American Passport Applicant; before Chief Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi of Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Igbosere, Lagos on a three-count charge bordering on Conspiracy, Forgery, Impersonation, and False Declaration.

 

The arrest of the suspect follows a petition to the Unit from the Consulate General of the United States of America dated 22nd July, 2021 which alleged that an individual purporting to be Robert Chukwuemeka Ogoamaka with Nigerian Passport No. A11796306 and DOB 29/03/2004 submitted an application for U.S. Passport at its Lagos Office. All documents in support of the application were found to be forged.

 

The investigation by operatives of the Diplomatic Section of the Unit in collaboration with the office of the Diplomatic Security Service’s (DSS) at the United States Consulate General discovered that the suspect provided a Statement of Consent that bears several anomalies such as;

 Fraudulent U.S Military Identification Card in support of DS – 3053.

 Notary Stamp which was confirmed to be fake by the Texas Secretary of State’s Notary database.

 Colorado Birth Certificate which was confirmed to be fake by the U.S. Colorado office of the State Registrar of Vital Statistics.

 Fake “Affidavit for Loss of International Passport”, Police Report, and Park Place Elementary School Certificate.

 

The suspect confessed to the offenses and further stated that the forged documents were “provided” to him by two Visa Agents whose services were paid for by his father, one Ogoamaka Chukwuemeka. The father and Agents are currently on the run while effort is on to apprehend and charge them to court.

 

The suspect was arraigned in court and was granted a One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) Bail with two (2) sureties in the like sum.

 

Chief Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi remanded him at Juvenile Corrective Home, Oregun, Lagos; pending the perfection of his bail conditions, and adjourned the case to 26th August, 2021.