An investigation into an alleged $1 billion currency counterfeit trade involving a Nigerian and other nations has been opened by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Banks and other financial institutions received a memo with information about the investigation, dated August 23, 2023, and a confidential designation.
The letter claims that the fake dollar is intended for the African market.
Administrative letter to banks and other financial institutions: Arrest of a Nigerian and four other nationals for alleged involvement in money counterfeiting was the subject of the memo with the file number “FPR/AML/INT/DSH/001/039,” which was signed by Chibuzo Efobi, Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department.
According to the apex bank, Turkish authorities made the arrest.
Part of the letter stated: “The Turkish Authorities arrested a Nigerian citizen and four other nationals for alleged involvement in currency counterfeiting to the sum of $1 billion bound for African countries.”
Dele Bolade Samson, a suspect, is listed as having Swedish and Nigerian passports.
Kean Kwasi Arhin, a citizen of Ghana, Netanel Jakob Weiss, a citizen of Britain, and Bo Nils Olof Forsaker and Peter Willi Herbert Schick, both of Sweden, round up the group.
“Pursuant to Regulation 4 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Countering Proliferation Financing of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Financial Institutions) Regulations, 2022, financial institutions are required to immediately take the following measures: Conduct searches of their database to determine whether there is any information about the above individuals; check whether they maintain any accounts or hold any funds or economic resources for the persons mentioned above; identify and file suspicious transaction reports to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and render NIL report to the NFIU where no such records exist,” the letter, sighted by The News Chronicles, directed.
Dr. Isa Abdulmumin, the apex bank’s director of corporate communications, could not be reached for any information regarding the investigation.
