The Police in Lagos has arrested a woman, Biola Simon, for allegedly defrauding bank customers after giving them fake prophecies, The Punch reports.
Simon who arrested on Thursday by the Dopemu Police Division, after one of her victims reported her to the police.
According to a police source, the woman is part of a four-man syndicate that specialises in defrauding unsuspecting bank customers through false 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to take the victim to a nearby place where the three other accomplices were waiting and they would replace the money withdrawn by the victim with disposable papers, covered with a few naira notes.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 the suspect’s arrest.
“The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has directed that the suspect be charged to court,” she added.
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
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