Several Nigerians living in the United States have raised alarm over an alleged passport fraud involving a Texas-based man identified simply as “KO”, who reportedly collected thousands of dollars from victims under the pretext of facilitating Nigerian passport services.
The suspect, said to reside in Texas, allegedly presented himself as a clergyman and ran the operation through a company known as Global Tours and Partyride LLC, promoting what he described as a “Passport Intervention Programme”.
Victims claimed the scheme was advertised as an initiative linked to the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta, prompting many Nigerians to believe the programme had official backing.
However, the Nigeria Immigration Service has distanced itself from the alleged scheme, insisting that the suspect is neither an employee nor an authorised agent of the service.
A senior official of the agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the suspect was being tracked but noted that investigators were facing challenges because he had reportedly abandoned his known phone number and vacated the address earlier provided to victims.
The official also attributed the incident partly to the tendency of some Nigerians to seek shortcuts for government services, stressing that the passport application process is largely digital and can be completed independently online.
He explained that applicants are required to fill out forms and make payments directly through the official portal, adding that the immigration service does not collect money through agents or intermediaries.
According to him, the alleged fraudster initially gained the trust of some community members by helping a few people complete their online payments before disappearing with funds paid by others.
He emphasised that if victims had processed their payments themselves and could provide evidence of such transactions, the immigration service would have been able to proceed with printing their passports.
Meanwhile, several victims have shared their experiences on social media, alleging that they paid between $500 and $800 for passport applications and renewal services that were never delivered.
One of the victims, Tobi Jaji, said he paid for a passport but never received the document, while another complainant, Isaac Olorunisola, warned others to avoid the suspect, describing him as a fraudster who had tarnished the reputation of religious leaders.
Another affected individual, Declan Rawlings, said he had been waiting for his passport since October 2024 and had been unable to contact the suspect.
Victims also alleged that attempts to locate the suspect in Arlington, Texas, for legal action were unsuccessful as he could not be found at the listed address.
The controversy has also drawn criticism toward the Nigerian consulate in Atlanta, with some victims accusing the office of failing to respond to complaints or inquiries about the suspect’s activities.
Some of the affected individuals said they had reported the case to the Better Business Bureau and explored legal options, though others expressed frustration over the slow pace of investigations and limited support from authorities.
