Abuja, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a criminal network posing as agency officials to defraud foreign companies using counterfeit documents.
In a statement issued by its Director General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the agency revealed that the fraudulent scheme came to light following a complaint from Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, an Abu Dhabi-based company that fell victim to the scam.
Leader of the Syndicate Arrested
NAFDAC disclosed that the syndicate was led by Ikoro Mang Ifendu, who was apprehended on February 7, 2025, in Aba, Abia State. Ifendu, a 52-year-old trader from Amamba Village, Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area, Abia State, was accused of impersonating a NAFDAC official to extort large sums of money from foreign firms.
According to the agency, Ifendu, who only holds a Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE), operated under the guise of a regulatory officer while engaging in fraudulent activities across various countries.
How the Scam Operated
Investigators uncovered a sophisticated three-part fraud scheme involving a buyer, a bank, and a lawyer.
- The Buyer’s Role – Fraudsters would first approach foreign companies to purchase goods for export to Nigeria.
- Bank Involvement – Victims were then introduced to a Nigerian bank, where they were falsely informed that NAFDAC approval was mandatory for their transactions.
- Fake Legal Assistance – A lawyer would be brought in, claiming to facilitate the necessary certifications for a fee.
To support their deception, the syndicate issued counterfeit NAFDAC registration certificates, fake revenue receipts, and fraudulent transaction records. These documents made their scam appear legitimate to unsuspecting businesses.
Investigators traced 15 domiciliary accounts and five local bank accounts linked to the group, spanning across seven Nigerian banks. The fraudulent transactions amounted to over $950,000 received in Nigerian accounts and an additional $450,000 deposited in offshore accounts in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Even after Ifendu’s arrest, some victims continued to send money, with $75,000 recently deposited into one of the identified accounts.
Fake Documents Used in the Scam
NAFDAC exposed several forged documents used by the syndicate to dupe companies, including:
- A fake Certificate of Registration for dried seafood, falsely issued to Thani Almaeeni Trading Group under NAFDAC Registration No. A2-7059.
- Counterfeit revenue receipts, including a ₦6.6 million receipt dated November 28, 2024, and another for ₦20.9 million dated December 13, 2024.
- A fraudulent processing requirement document for $13,785, falsely bearing the signature of a retired NAFDAC director.
- Forged SWIFT payment advices, including a $1,990 transaction to Rosemary Obosi and a $3,000 transaction to Ifendu.
- A telegraphic transfer record showing $132,972.84 sent to Citycode Savings & Loans, Lagos, on December 24, 2024.
- Falsified letterheads and legal documents, used to impersonate HALI & CO Chambers, allegedly operated by Ifendu and Obosi.
- Foreign Companies Affected
Apart from Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, several international firms fell victim to the syndicate’s fraudulent scheme, including:
- Japan Long Tie (China) Co. Ltd, Jinan, China (Condom importation)
- BEYOND-Korea, USA
- Aquaforest SP, Poland (Drinks and vegetable oil registration)
- Nomea srl, Italy
- Tianyan Filter Cloth Co. Ltd, China
- Siam Canadian China Ltd, China (Frozen onion spices)
NAFDAC has handed over the case to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for deeper investigation. Authorities plan to apply the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) to seize assets acquired through fraudulent means.
The agency warned businesses against engaging unauthorized middlemen or consulting firms for product registrations. Companies seeking regulatory approvals were advised to verify NAFDAC documentation through the official portal: https://registration.nafdac.gov.ng.
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