A Nigerian based in Canada, Kayode Oyedare, is facing accusations of defrauding numerous individuals out of millions of naira (Nigerian currency) with the promise of securing certificates of sponsorship (CoS) for care jobs in the UK, the Sunday Punch has reported.
With a significant portion of young Nigerians seeking greener pastures abroad, many target care jobs in the UK. They require a CoS, a document confirming employment as a carer. This desperation fuels vulnerability to scams.
Several victims, including Anjola, a UK-based accountant trainee, narrated their experiences to Sunday PUNCH. Anjola paid Oyedare £12,000 for training and a CoS for her boyfriend in Turkey. However, the CoS provided was fake, resulting in a 10-year visa ban for her boyfriend upon application.
Another victim, Adekoya, lost £8,000 after being referred to Oyedare through a Nigerian lawyer, Peniela Akintujoye. Despite initial assurances, Adekoya never received the CoS and believes Akintujoye might be an accomplice.
Tosin Ojelabi, residing in the UAE, similarly lost over N7 million to Oyedare for a CoS aimed at relocating with his wife. Despite Akintujoye’s assurances and Oyedare’s initial claims of processing the CoS, Ojelabi received nothing.
A total of 26 victims have formed a group to share their experiences and seek recourse. They suspect Oyedare scammed more people than initially known. Akintujoye, however, denies any involvement beyond connecting clients with Oyedare and claims he was also defrauded of over £58,000.
The alleged scam involved Oyedare receiving payments and claiming to work with care homes. However, evidence suggests no CoS were ever issued, and payments were routed through accomplices’ accounts.
Lawyer Peniela Akintujoye connected many victims to Oyedare. Akintujoye denies involvement but claims Oyedare defrauded him as well. He insists he facilitated payments to Oyedare based on assurances of legitimate services.
The victims united and filed complaints with various authorities, including the Nigerian Police Force, Interpol, and the UK police. Oyedare claims he’s refunding the money but hasn’t provided concrete evidence or a clear timeline.
