Breakthrough in visa scam as company agrees to refund ₦27.23 million following FCID interventions

Abuja, FCT – In a significant development in the ongoing visa fraud case involving Avatrust Company, the Abuja-based firm has committed to refunding a total of ₦27,230,000 to victims defrauded in a scheme promising Canadian visas.

This resolution comes after the company was summoned three times by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), culminating in an agreement signed on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

As previously reported by DAILY South Nigeria, nine individuals were allegedly swindled out of approximately ₦24 million by Avatrust in December 2024.

The victims, whose payments were made on behalf of relatives seeking relocation opportunities abroad, included:

Peace: ₦1.5 million
Kindness: ₦6 million
Abigal: ₦4 million
Nehemiah: ₦6 million
Edejoro: ₦2.35 million
Samuel: ₦3 million
Treasure: ₦2 million
Gold: ₦2 million
Benjamin: ₦600,000

The funds were remitted by Mr. Precious, a Nigerian in the diaspora, through his brother, Mr. Chima Raphael, based in Benin City.

Avatrust had promised swift visa processing within six months but failed to deliver, leading to evasions, threats, and eventual complaints escalated by civil rights groups.

Comrade Arishe Monday, Edo State Coordinator for the Foundation for Justice for the Underprivileged and Initiator of the Alliance for Security and Social Justice Group, confirmed the latest updates in a statement made available to this online newspaper.

According to Comrade Monday, the refund estimate was provided by a Mrs. Gold on behalf of Avatrust during the resolution meeting.

The company has now signed an agreement to repay the full amount by or before March 17, 2026.

"We appreciate the officers and men of the CP Monitoring Unit, FCT Command, particularly CSP Chuks Ibe and his team, for their diligent work in bringing this matter to a just resolution," Comrade Monday stated.

The increased refund amount exceeding the originally reported payments may account for additional costs, interest, or administrative fees incurred by the victims during the ordeal.

Investigations by the FCID, which included recording statements and reviewing transaction records, appear to have pressured Avatrust into compliance, averting potential arrests highlighted in earlier reports.

This case highlights the persistent risks in Nigeria's visa consultancy sector, where fraudulent operators exploit aspirations for international opportunities, even as victims and advocates urge greater regulatory oversight to prevent similar scams.