A woman, Biola Simon, has been arrested
by the police in Lagos State for allegedly defrauding bank customers
after giving them fake prophecies in the Dopemu area.
Our correspondent learnt that Simon, who
came from Ibadan, Oyo State, was arrested on Thursday by the 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.
Our correspondent gathered that a sum of
N150,000, which the woman had allegedly swindled out from her victim,
was recovered by the policemen after the arrest.
A police source at the Dopemu division
said Simon belonged to a four-member syndicate that specialised in
defrauding unsuspecting bank customers in the area through fake
prophecies.
He said, “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would replace the money withdrawn by the victim with disposable papers,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.”
A witness, Rafiu Jimoh, said the policemen had returned the money to the victim.
He said, “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.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed Simon’s arrest.
“The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has directed that the suspect be charged to court,” she added.
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