allegedly defrauding bank customers after giving them fake prophecies
in the Dopemu area.
Dopemu Police Division, after one of her victims reported her to the
police.While the suspect was arrested, it was learnt that other
suspected accomplices fled.
swindled out from her victim, was recovered by the policemen after the
arrest.
four-member syndicate that specialised in defrauding unsuspecting bank
customers in the area through fake prophecies.
“In her statement, she confessed that the syndicate’s mode of operation
was to lurk around bank premises, while her role was to accost a bank
customer suspected to be with money.
“The suspect explained that she
would pretend that she was new in Lagos and asked for direction from the
victim. Simon would subsequently make shocking spiritual revelations
about her victim, after which she would advise that a special prayer
must be offered for the victim.“The next move was to take the victim to a
nearby place where the three other accomplices were waiting and they
would replace the money withdrawn by the victim with disposable papers,
covered with a few naira notes.“A man who the suspect tried to swindle
on Thursday of N150,000 raised the alarm, and a police patrol team in
the area apprehended Simon.”
“The woman dressed responsibly, but she usually begged targeted
customers coming out of the bank to direct her to an address. She is
believed to use magical powers, as she will thereafter start giving
revelations about her victim, luring the person to go for prayers with
her.
“While the purported prayer is going on by the syndicate, the
contents of the victim’s bag or purse will be replaced with papers
covered with a few real notes. They will thereafter disappear with the
money.
“The woman was arrested on Thursday by a police patrol team,
but the three others escaped in a car. The stolen N150,000 was recovered
and returned to the victim.”