The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, is investigating some public servants who are believed to be laundering money in the guise of seeking medical attention abroad.

For several weeks, the agency has focused its searchlight on the illegal activities of fraudsters who procure fake documents for Nigerians seeking to travel abroad and now believes that some public servants might be laundering money abroad in the guise of seeking medical care.

“The Commission is further probing the links between some public servants and money laundering/transfers under the guise of seeking medical attention abroad,” the agency said in a statement at the weekend.

The commission says it has arrested 13 suspected Visa fraudsters in Lagos over the past two-weeks as part of efforts improve local business climate and transnational transactions in the country.

According to a statement by the head of media, ICPC, Folu Olamiti, the suspects were picked up at different locations where they were caught using forged public documents like bank statements and letters from government agencies or for aiding and abetting the production of same to procure visas at the Indian High Commission in Lagos.

The latest arrests effected last weekend involved five suspects, three of whom were involved in the production of fake documents to satisfy visa requirements, while a fourth person was in possession of suspicious travel documents.

The fifth suspect, a lady named Philomena Nwanorue, was arrested for allegedly colluding with someone in India to procure a fake invitation letter from an Indian Hospital.

She allegedly pleaded for the release of her travelling documents to enable her go for a follow-up treatment in an Indian Hospital, but the Commission says it is awaiting confirmation from the hospital to clear her.

The other four suspects are Alimi Sunday, Amos Edema Enabulele, Samuel Oboiako and Azeez Mujeeb Abiodun.

Operatives of ICPC cordoned off the business centre used for the production of the fake documents, conducted a search and impounded computers and printers for thorough forensic analysis.

The commission says it is worried by the increasing number of petitions received from patients seeking medical attention abroad after being duped by some freelance agents.

It will be recalled that last week ICPC had issued a visa scam advisory warning intending travellers of the consequences of patronising dubious travel agents and touts to obtain visas through corrupt practices.