The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has successfully dismantled a syndicate that was scamming foreign firms by posing as agency representatives. This announcement was made by the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, in a recent statement following a petition from Thani Almaeeni Trading Group based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, which was one of the victims.
The group behind this elaborate scam was led by an individual named Ikoro Mang Ifendu, who was apprehended on February 7, 2025, in Aba, Abia State. Ifendu and his team reportedly defrauded several international companies by impersonating NAFDAC officials and issuing fake certificates and documents.
Scam Operation Breakdown
NAFDAC’s investigation revealed that the syndicate ran a complex operation that involved three key players: a buyer, a bank, and a lawyer. The process would begin with the fake buyer contacting foreign firms, claiming to be interested in purchasing products for importation into Nigeria. These foreign companies would then be directed to a bank, where they would be informed that NAFDAC approval was necessary for the transaction. A lawyer would be introduced to facilitate the process of obtaining a NAFDAC certificate, for which a fee was charged.
The fraudsters provided their victims with counterfeit NAFDAC certification and fake payment receipts. The investigation showed that the group managed numerous bank accounts, both locally and internationally, through which they received over $950,000 in Nigeria and an additional $450,000 in accounts located in Benin Republic.
Details of the Fraudulent Documents
NAFDAC disclosed some of the forged documents used by the syndicate, including:
A fraudulent certificate of registration for Dried Fish under NAFDAC Registration No. A2-7059, presented to Thani Almaeeni Trading Group.
Fake receipts totaling millions of naira, such as a receipt for N6,687,000 dated November 28, 2024.
A fabricated processing requirement document for $13,785, allegedly signed by a former NAFDAC director.
Counterfeit Swift transaction records, including $1,990 and $3,000 payments.
Involvement of Foreign Companies
Apart from Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, several other international companies were affected by the scam. These included:
Japan Long Tie (China) Co. Ltd (importation of condoms)
BEYOND-Korea, USA
Aquaforest SP, Poland (registration of drinks and vegetable oil)
Nomea srl, Italy
Tianyan Filter Cloth Co. Ltd, China
Siam Canadian China Ltd, China (frozen onion spices)
Case Escalation to EFCC
The case has now been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a deeper investigation, which will extend beyond NAFDAC-related matters. The investigation will focus on tracking all assets acquired through fraudulent means, in accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
In light of this development, NAFDAC has urged businesses to be cautious and avoid engaging with unauthorized consultants who promise to facilitate NAFDAC certifications. The agency advises firms to always verify registration processes via its official portal.
Source: Nairametrics
