Segun Atanda/
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has uncovered an extraordinary cache of counterfeit foreign currency after arresting a five-member syndicate operating under the guise of herbal and spiritual services in Osun and Lagos States.
Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the EFCC recovered fake United States dollar notes valued at $3.43 million and counterfeit euro notes totalling €280,000, a haul that investigators say highlights the scale and sophistication of the criminal operation.
The suspects, identified as Akingbola Omotayo, Adeola Funsho Ogunrinde, Yahaya Amodu, Kubratu Babalola Olaitan and Familola Sunday Olaitan, were arrested on December 7 and 8, at various shrines following sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering.
According to the EFCC, the group allegedly defrauded one Halima Sanni of N26.55 million through elaborate deception.
Investigators said the suspects posed as herbalists with purported spiritual powers, luring victims with promises of cleansing rituals, healing solutions and supernatural wealth creation.
The commission disclosed that the syndicate allegedly convinced victims that large sums of money could be spiritually conjured but required ritual “cleansing” by a genie before use.
Victims were reportedly hypnotised and persuaded to release substantial sums of money as sacrifices to unlock the supposed fortune.
In addition to the vast volume of fake foreign currency, EFCC operatives recovered two exotic vehicles and several mobile phones believed to have been used in coordinating the scheme.
The EFCC said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, stressing that the size of the counterfeit haul underscores the growing threat posed by organised fraud networks exploiting spiritual and cultural beliefs.
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