Alleged COS visa scammers identified amid £100K fraud claims- Part 2
- Godstime David
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
A growing number of UK immigrants are falling victim to fraudulent job offers and visa schemes, with scammers draining their savings and, in some cases, shattering their dreams of a better life.
The Giste has uncovered multiple reports of individuals who, under the pretext of assisting with UK work visas, have taken thousands of pounds from victims before failing to deliver on their promises or disappearing entirely.
One such case involves Emem Effiong Ekpo, who has been accused by multiple individuals of taking payments for visa assistance without fulfilling her commitments.
On September 18, 2024, three victims were reported to have collectively paid £4,000 to the UK-based Nigerian Ms Ekpo, who allegedly claimed she could secure UK work visas through her company. One of the individuals, referred to as Mary Udoka (not her real name), told The Giste: "Our visa was about to expire, and I was desperate to find a solution so as not to be caught up with the deadline."
To establish credibility, Ms. Ekpo reportedly presented her UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and passport, reassuring victims that their payments were intended for training certificates and Certificates of Sponsorship (COS), essential documents for skilled worker visas.
The victims have provided The Giste with evidence, including WhatsApp messages and proof of bank transfers, to support their claims.
Another victim said: "Emem sounded so convincing, friendly, professional, and even gave me the name of the company supposedly sponsoring my visa. She seemed like she was offering help, so I took the offer and paid."
However, after receiving payments, Ms. Ekpo allegedly became increasingly evasive, providing vague responses and failing to present any documentation of progress.
"One day she will tell me she's on her way to the bank, the next time she says payment will drop tonight. There is always a new lie or scheme with Emem, the victim said.
Following a social media post about COS scams in January, Ms. Ekpo refunded a portion of the money in Nigerian Naira instead of pounds, but, according to the victims, she has yet to provide a full refund.
Meanwhile, fresh allegations against Emem Effiong surfaced in a social media video posted on 27 March by a campaign group fighting COS fraud.
The post, shared by @NassFerrari, claimed that "Emem Effiong Ekpo had scammed victims of over £100,000."
A TikTok live video, sent to The Giste, featured her photo alongside two individuals protesting and chanting: "Emem Effiong Ekpo, 26-year-old, COS scammer, has scammed over £100,000."
When contacted by The Giste, Ms. Ekpo affirms to have collected money from victims but now claims she was only a middleman and a victim herself but has refused to name her alleged associates.
Despite repeated assurances to The Giste that she would provide proof of her claims, including emails, names, and pictures of the individuals allegedly involved, she has failed to produce any documentation.
Instead, she continues to stall with vague promises, shifting blame while refusing to acknowledge the full extent of her role or make refunds as promised.
Another Alleged Visa Scam Case
Another victim, who spoke exclusively to The Giste from Nigeria, claims she lost £3,000 in a similar scheme, in what she describes as a nightmare.
Olatokunbo Sukurat said she and her husband, whose visa was nearing expiration, were introduced to a guy identified as Kolaseye Akinmoladun, also known as "Mr. chopper international".
"I sent him my documents because I didn’t want to return to Nigeria. He told me the sponsorship process would cost £7,000, but I told him i could only afford £3,000".
Tokunbo said that as her visa expiry date drew closer, she became concerned and transferred £3,000 to Mr Akinmoladun through a relative in the UK. However, she alleges that as the deadline approached, Kolasleye became unresponsive.
When she finally reached him, he claimed the company he had arranged for sponsorship was no longer issuing Certificates of Sponsorship (COS).
"I was devastated, as I had only two days left before I’d be forced to leave the UK. I couldn’t live in the country illegally, so once my visa expired, I returned to Nigeria with my husband."
Following her return to Nigeria, Ms Tokunbo continued attempting to contact Kolaseye. According to her, he finally responded, stating that he had intended to help her but that circumstances beyond his control had disrupted the process.
In a phone interview with The Giste on the 14th of November, 2024, Kolaseleye admitted to receiving funds from the victim but denied being responsible for her return to Nigeria.
"I was trying to help them, but things went south, and it is not entirely my fault," he said.
Mr. chopper international initially agreed to a repayment plan of £100 per month but has since failed to pay up, keeping the victim frustrated and out of pocket.
"He no longer responds to my messages let alone talk about my money. This whole issue has caused me serious depression and i have no idea where to start from. I need justice", Olatokunbo said.
These alleged scammers are confirmed to be legal Nigerian migrants in the UK. The victims are calling for the UK Visa and Immigration Office to look into the matter of COS fraud.
Legal and Regulatory Concerns
It is illegal for UK employers to charge workers for recruitment. Victims of financial scams often stay silent out of fear, shame, or legal uncertainty.
The Giste has confirmed that the victims have reported these incidents to Action Fraud UK, UKVI, and the banks involved, though no formal legal action has yet been reported.
Get in touch if you or someone you know has been affected by visa scams, job fraud, or financial exploitation.
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