Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken into custody five individuals posing as herbalists over an alleged fraud scheme involving counterfeit foreign currency in Lagos and Ogun states.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement released on Wednesday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said the suspects were arrested for allegedly deceiving victims with claims of spiritual purification and supernatural solutions to personal and financial problems.
The suspects were identified as Akingbola Omotayo, Adeola Funsho Ogunrinde, Yahaya Amodu, Kubratu Babalola Olaitan, and Familola Sunday Olaitan.
Oyewale disclosed that EFCC operatives carried out the arrests on December 7 and 8, 2025, at locations described as shrines in Osun and Lagos states, following intelligence gathering and sustained surveillance.
According to the commission, the group allegedly swindled a victim, Halima Sanni, of N26 million. During the operation, officers recovered counterfeit foreign currencies amounting to $3.4 million and €280,000.
It added that they also allegedly assured their victims of their powers to conjure several currency notes which must be cleaned up by a genie through spiritual sacrifice before spending the money. They did all these by hypnotising their victims to provide money for the sacrifice.
EFCC noted other items recovered include two exotic vehicles and mobile phones. The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigations.
