EFCC arrests school proprietress in Akwa Ibom over ‘N3m visa, scholarship fraud’
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives have arrested Imaobong Okpong, a school proprietress, for allegedly defrauding several victims through fake visa and foreign scholarship schemes.
In a statement on Friday, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, said Okpong, who owns Michael Udonquak Schools in Mbierebe, Akwa Ibom state, was arrested following a petition by Blessing Nse Bassey, a medical practitioner.
According to the petition, Okpong allegedly defrauded Bassey of N3 million under the guise of securing university admission and processing Canadian visas for her and her husband.
Oyewale said Bassey stated that she met Okpong in February 2024 after the suspect presented what appeared to be a scholarship and study visa opportunity abroad.
Bassey said she only made payment after Okpong signed a notarised indemnity agreement, after which she transferred N3 million to the suspect’s First Bank account.
However, after receiving the money, Okpong allegedly became unreachable, refused to answer calls, and failed to fulfill her promises under the agreement.
Bassey further claimed that Okpong had defrauded several other victims, including one of her friends “who got stranded in China when she realised there was no scholarship.”
She added that some victims reportedly travelled abroad with fake documents that left them stranded or deported with huge financial losses.
The EFCC said the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
