Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have uncovered a large cache of counterfeit foreign currencies valued at $3.43 million and €280,000 from a five-member syndicate of alleged fraudsters operating under the guise of spiritual healing.
The suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged defrauding of one Halima Sanni of ₦26.55 million.
According to the EFCC, the arrests were carried out on December 7 and 8, 2025, at various shrines located in Osun and Lagos states, following sustained surveillance and actionable intelligence on the group’s activities.
Those arrested were identified as Akingbola Omotayo, Adeola Funsho Ogunrinde, Yahaya Amodu, Kubratu Babalola Olaitan (female), and Familola Sunday Olaitan, all described as herbalists who allegedly specialised in ritual-related scams.
Investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly targeted unsuspecting victims by posing as spiritualists capable of providing cleansing, healing and solutions to various personal and health challenges.
The syndicate was also accused of claiming supernatural powers to conjure large sums of foreign currency, which they said required spiritual purification by a genie before the money could be spent.
EFCC officials disclosed that victims were allegedly hypnotised and persuaded to provide large sums of money to fund supposed spiritual sacrifices needed to “clean” the conjured currencies.
Further searches led to the recovery of two exotic vehicles, several mobile phones, and the counterfeit foreign notes believed to have been used to deceive victims.
The anti-graft agency stated that the suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
