National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has exposed a $1.4 million international fraud scheme where foreign businesses were deceived into paying for fake NAFDAC product registrations.
It was gathered that the operation, led by Ikoro Mang Ifendu, allegedly used counterfeit documents to scam companies from China, Japan, Poland, South Korea, the UAE and the US.
Ifendu was arrested on February 7, 2025 in Aba, Abia State, as part of an ongoing investigation into the fraudulent network.
NAFDAC’s director general, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, at a press conference yesterday in Lagos, revealed details of the elaborate scam and announced the arrest of the primary suspect, Mr. Ikoro Mang Ifendu, a 52-year-old trader from Abia state.
According to him, ‘Ifendu was apprehended on February 7, 2025, in Ogborn Hills, Aba, following an extensive investigation triggered by a complaint from Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The company reported being defrauded of thousands of dollars while attempting to register dried fish (seafood) for export to Nigeria.
He said, ‘’NAFDAC’s investigation exposed a three-tier fraud scheme orchestrated by Ifendu and his syndicate. The scam involved: The buyer: Fraudsters contacted foreign businesses, posing as importers needing their product; the bank: the foreign companies were then directed to banks that falsely claimed that their exports to Nigeria required NAFDAC registration; the lawyer: the businesses were introduced to a supposed legal expert who promised to facilitate the approval process – for a hefty fee.
“Over $950,000 was funneled into Nigerian domiciliary accounts linked to the syndicate, while an additional $450,000 was traced to offshore accounts in Cotonou, Benin Republic. Shockingly, even after Ifendu’s arrest, an alert for a fresh deposit of $75,000 was received in one of the fraudulent accounts.”
‘’The fraud ring generated fake NAFDAC registration certificates, revenue receipts, and swift transfer documents, many of which bore the names of retired NAFDAC officials to lend credibility. Some of the fraudulent documents presented at the press conference included a fake NAFDAC Registration Certificate issued to Thani Almaeeni Trading Group; counterfeit revenue receipts showing payments ranging from ₦6.8 million to ₦20.9 million; a fraudulent processing requirements document purportedly signed by a former NAFDAC director and fake swift transfer advice copies, proving payments made by victims.’’
NAFDAC said it also identified multiple foreign companies that fell victim to the scam, including businesses from China, Japan, Poland, South Korea, and the United States.
‘’These companies were tricked into paying for fraudulent product registrations covering items like condoms, vegetable oil, and beverages,’’ the DG said.
NAFDAC has pledged to intensify its crackdown on fraudulent activities. The case will be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation, with plans to invoke the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) to recover assets illegally acquired by the fraudsters.
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