Fake travel agent allegedly dupes prospective travellers of N10 million

A suspected fake travel agent has made away with over N10million from prospective travellers who were billed to travel to Qatar.

The runaway suspect, who operates with the name Richingrace, with his office located at number 35,Nawair-ud-deen road, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, had audaciously appeared on a live radio programme in Abeokuta to woo customers.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that his appearance on radio made him believable so unsuspecting travellers embraced the offer.

He was alleged to have collected the sum of N1million from each of the prospective travellers with assurance to get visa and job for them in the oil-rich country of Qatar.

Findings further revealed that the suspect started the illegal operation in 2012; until late 2014 when indications emerged that he was possibly a fraud.

Upon realizing that he will be found out, the founder of the fake travel agent, whose is known as Olufemi Richard by patrons, suddenly disappeared.

At a point, some of the victims sought the assistance of the Ogun State security outfit, OPMESA, to track him down, but officials, on arriving the office, realised the suspect had escaped.

As at the time of filing this report on Friday, the operational base of the suspect had been sealed.

Some neighbours, who spoke with our correspondent, said the suspect had been elusive for months, adding that nobody could trace him.

One of the victims, Somefun Afolabi, said the suspect had been on the ‘project’ for over two years and when he realised patrons were on his neck, he bolted.

The victim, who tendered various travelling documents and receipts issued to him, said the suspect also switched off his mobile phone and could not be reached till date.

In the same vein, when our correspondent called the two phone numbers of the suspect, they were not functional.

Meanwhile, when contacted, the Ogun State Police Command, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the police was yet to receive complaints on the matter.

Mr. Adejobi said the authority would only act after receiving complaints.