Ogun PoS Operator Falls Victim to Fake Study Abroad Agents, Gets 10-Year UK Ban

For Titilola (surname withheld), an Ogun State-based Point of Sale (PoS) operator, the dream of studying for a master’s degree in the United Kingdom has suddenly turned into a terrible nightmare. What started as a hopeful journey in 2022 ended with her family in debt, her husband involved in an accident, and a shocking 10-year visa ban from the UK.

According to a recent report in fij.ng, her problem began when a trusted friend referred her to Taiwo Olasupo, an Ibadan-based consultant who claimed to help people secure foreign admissions. Unknown to her, Olasupo was working on the side without the knowledge of his then-employer, Borsche Academy International Consult. Instead of processing her application through the company’s official account, he directed her to pay into his personal account.

“He told me what to do, including writing IELTS, which I passed. Later, he asked me to pay N600,000 for processing. I trusted him because a friend referred me,” Titilola explained.

As the process moved forward, Olasupo introduced her to another man, Henry Chima Ezinwoke, owner of Hench Education Consult in Port Harcourt. She was told Henry would handle payments to the University of Sunderland on her behalf. With her dollar card stolen during a burglary at home, she sent £3,500 to Henry’s account.

In 2023, her admission was deferred to the next academic session, and she proceeded with her visa applications. However, shock awaited her at the UK office. When she went to collect her passport, she was informed that her documents had been forged. The fake financial statements submitted by Olasupo resulted in a 10-year ban on UK visas.

“That was the biggest heartbreak of my life,” she said. “All the money was gone, and my dreams were shattered.”

The matter became more complicated as Olasupo disappeared and stopped taking her calls. Henry, on the other hand, distanced himself, even though he had received her school fees. Titilola said she had contacted the University of Sunderland for a refund, but the school insisted that only Henry could apply, as the payment had come from his account. She refused to let him handle the refund due to a lack of trust.

Meanwhile, tragedy struck at home. In December 2023, her husband had a serious accident that required two surgeries. He lost his job, leaving the family of five to depend only on her small PoS business.

“We even involved a lawyer in Port Harcourt to pursue Henry, but we could not afford the legal fees,” she said, close to tears.

Efforts to reach both Olasupo and Ezinwoke for comments were unsuccessful, as their phones were switched off. Even Olasupo’s former boss confirmed that he had abandoned his job after several complaints and could not be traced.

Now, Titilola’s case serves as a cautionary tale for many Nigerians who aspire to study abroad. Her story illustrates how fraudulent agents exploit people’s dreams and desperation. “I just want justice and my money back,” she said quietly.