USCIS arrests Nigerian accused of visa fraud, $300,000 theft in Houston

A Nigerian national accused of visa fraud and stealing more than $300,000 has been arrested after visiting a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Houston, Texas.

According to Peoples Gazette, USCIS announced the arrest on Monday, saying the suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was apprehended with assistance from federal partners when he appeared at its Houston office.

“Working with our federal partners, USCIS helped apprehend a Nigerian alien charged with visa fraud and theft of more than $300,000 when he came to our Houston office,” the agency said.

USCIS said the operation demonstrated cooperation among federal agencies in enforcing immigration laws and pursuing individuals accused of financial crimes.

The agency did not provide details about the alleged visa fraud, the circumstances surrounding the theft allegations, or the federal agency that filed the charges. It also did not disclose when the alleged offences occurred.

The arrest comes amid other recent cases involving Nigerian nationals accused of immigration-related offences in the United States.

Two Nigerians, Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye, were recently charged over an alleged scheme involving bribes and the manipulation of immigration applications.

Ganiyu, a former senior immigration services officer with USCIS, and Somoye were accused of participating in a multi-year scheme in which kickbacks were allegedly received in exchange for manipulating and expediting immigration applications.

Authorities alleged that the scheme involved applications for green cards and U.S. citizenship.

The latest suspect is expected to face the visa fraud and theft charges in the United States, although USCIS has not announced further information about court proceedings or possible penalties. Additional details about the case are expected from federal authorities.