Man Arrested For Over $1.4m Scam With Fake NAFDAC Documents
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested a man, Ikoro Mang Ifendu, for allegedly impersonating a NAFDAC official and defrauding foreign companies of over $1.4 million using fake approval documents.
The agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing in Lagos.
She stated that Ifendu was arrested on February 7, 2025, in Aba, Abia State.
“This case was reported by Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE, following their application to register Dry Fish (Seafood),” Adeyeye said.
“Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and several other companies from different countries fell victim to this fraud.”
She explained that the suspect and his accomplices used fake NAFDAC certificates to deceive businesses, collecting huge sums under the pretense of securing product approvals.
NAFDAC’s investigation revealed that the fraudsters operated a three-step scheme involving buyers, banks, and fake lawyers.
“These fraudsters or syndicate operate in a three-pronged scheme involving the Buyer, Bank, and Lawyer,” Adeyeye explained.
“Initially, the buyer contacts foreign companies to purchase and import goods into Nigeria. Subsequently, they introduce these companies to any of these banks for payment. The bank then declares that due to the lack of NAFDAC approval, the foreign companies are unable to export to Nigeria.”
She added that the fraudsters then introduced a fake lawyer, who claimed to facilitate NAFDAC certification for a fee. The victims made payments in instalments, receiving counterfeit NAFDAC certificates and fake revenue receipts.
Further investigations uncovered 15 domiciliary accounts and five local accounts linked to the scam across seven Nigerian banks.
“The tentative cumulative inflow from different victims into the domiciliary accounts in Nigeria is estimated to be over $950,000 USD, while the sum of $450,000 USD is the estimated inflow into the accounts held offshore in Cotonou, Benin Republic,” Adeyeye stated.
She also confirmed that even after the suspect’s arrest, another $75,000 was deposited into one of the accounts.
Following the discovery, NAFDAC said the case had been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
“After exhausting the link to falsification of NAFDAC regulated products, this case will be transferred to EFCC,” Adeyeye said.
“This will expand the investigation into other areas beyond NAFDAC’s mandate.”
She urged the public to avoid dealing with any consulting firms claiming to register products with NAFDAC, advising businesses to verify registration details through the agency’s official website.
