By Janefrances Chibuzor
The diplomatic missions of the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia in Nigeria have jointly launched a coordinated international campaign to tackle the growing threat of visa fraud and protect vulnerable applicants from exploitation.
The initiative, tagged #FightingVisaFraud, was unveiled in Abuja during the International Fraud Awareness Week and marks an unprecedented level of cooperation among the three countries, which share long-standing ties and strong collaboration on security and immigration matters.
According to the missions, visa fraud has reached alarming levels worldwide, fuelled by criminal networks deploying increasingly sophisticated schemes to deceive people seeking legitimate travel, study or work opportunities abroad. Many victims are lured with promises of guaranteed visas, fast-tracked approvals, or non-existent jobs, only to suffer financial loss, visa refusals, long-term travel bans or, in extreme cases, trafficking and exploitation.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, warned that visa fraud “destroys dreams and devastates families,” stressing that criminal facilitators prey on innocent aspirations. He advised applicants to rely strictly on official channels and verify all immigration advice before making payments. He also cautioned that individuals attempting to secure visas through fraudulent means face severe penalties, including bans of up to 10 years.
Canadian High Commissioner, Mr. Pasquale Salvaggio, said Canada remains committed to safeguarding prospective travellers and maintaining the integrity of its immigration system. He noted that the joint campaign reflects the shared values of the three nations and their determination to ensure that only legitimate pathways are used.
The missions said the collaboration stems from the identification of common patterns of visa fraud across their systems, prompting the need for a united response to protect genuine applicants while keeping immigration processes fair and secure.
They urged anyone seeking visas to use only official government websites, ensure that immigration advisers are duly registered, and treat any claim of guaranteed approval with suspicion. Applicants were further warned to look out for red flags such as excessive fees, pressure to pay quickly, offers to bypass standard requirements or job promises that do not match their qualifications.
Authorities in the three countries continue to work closely with law enforcement to trace and prosecute individuals involved in visa fraud and illegal facilitation. Victims of these schemes often have little or no recourse after losing large sums of money.
Members of the public who suspect fraud or believe they have been targeted are encouraged to report to the appropriate authorities, including Action Fraud in the UK. Applicants are also advised to seek reliable information directly from official immigration websites.
Campaign materials and warnings on how to identify visa scams are being shared on the diplomatic missions’ social media platforms as part of efforts to reach wider audiences across Nigeria.
The joint statement emphasised that each country will handle its own implementation in line with national contexts but will continue to cooperate closely to ensure that vulnerable people are protected and that those abusing immigration systems face decisive action.
