Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 6 Command in Calabar, have dismantled a large-scale “Japa” fraud syndicate in Cross River State, rescuing more than 100 victims who were allegedly deceived with promises of overseas jobs and relocation opportunities.
The operation, carried out by officers of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) on February 14, 2026, followed weeks of intelligence gathering on the group’s activities. Police authorities disclosed that the syndicate targeted young Nigerians desperate to travel abroad, persuading them to resign from their jobs, sell properties, and transfer large sums of money for supposed visa processing and employment placement.
Investigators revealed that victims were transported to apartments in Cross River State under the impression that they were undergoing final travel processing. Instead of being flown overseas, they were allegedly:
- Confined in rented, well-furnished apartments
- Pressured to pay additional “processing” fees
- Coerced into recruiting friends and relatives into the scheme
- Made to stage photos and social media posts suggesting they had successfully relocated
Police say the social media deception was a calculated strategy to convince others that the relocation program was legitimate, thereby expanding the scam’s reach
Several key suspects were arrested during the raid, while others reportedly fled and are currently being tracked. Authorities also revealed that members of the syndicate allegedly offered investigators a ₦50 million bribe in an attempt to derail the investigation an offer officers rejected.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 6, AIG Auwal Musa Mohammad, commended the operatives for their professionalism and described the bust as a major breakthrough against organised fraud networks exploiting Nigeria’s migration waves
The rescued individuals have been handed over to the Cross River State Government for profiling, counselling, and reintegration support. Many of them reportedly lost life savings and personal belongings in pursuit of the false overseas opportunity.
Police have urged the public to thoroughly verify recruitment agents and visa processing companies before making payments, warning that the increasing desire to “japa” has become a lucrative target for criminal syndicates.
Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full scope of the network and prosecute all those involved.
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