Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a five-member syndicate, posing as herbalists and spiritualists, and recovered a cache of counterfeit foreign currencies valued at $3.43 million and €280,000 from the group, which is accused of defrauding a victim of N26.55 million.
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 in Osun and Lagos states following sustained surveillance and intelligence-led operations by the anti-graft agency.
According to findings from the investigation, the suspects allegedly posed as herbalists and spiritualists, targeting unsuspecting individuals under the guise of offering spiritual cleansing and remedies for different personal and health challenges. Victims, it was learned, were deceived into believing that the group possessed supernatural abilities to generate large sums of money.
Investigators disclosed that the syndicate allegedly claimed they could conjure currency notes, which they said required spiritual purification by a genie through ritual sacrifices before the money could be spent. Victims were allegedly hypnotised and persuaded to part with large sums of money to fund these supposed sacrifices.
In addition to the counterfeit currencies, EFCC operatives also recovered two exotic vehicles and several mobile phones from the suspects during the operation.
The commission stated that the suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
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