The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismantled a fraudulent syndicate that scammed foreign companies using counterfeit NAFDAC documents.

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, revealed the development at a press conference on Friday, announcing the arrest of the prime suspect, Ikoro Ifendu, on February 7, 2025, in Aba, Abia State.

Ifendu, a trader with only a Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) qualification, allegedly posed as a NAFDAC official to defraud foreign companies of millions of dollars. One of the victims of the scam was the Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

How the Fraud Syndicate Operated

According to Prof. Adeyeye, the fraudsters ran a complex three-step scheme involving a buyer, a bank, and a lawyer:

1. Targeting Foreign Companies – The syndicate approached foreign businesses looking to export goods to Nigeria, misleading them into believing that their shipments required NAFDAC approval.
2. Fake Banking Processes – The criminals introduced the companies to a supposed bank for payment processing, further legitimizing the scam.
3. Counterfeit Legal Documentation – The fraudsters then directed the companies to a fraudulent lawyer, who collected large payments in installments in exchange for fake NAFDAC certificates and receipts.

NAFDAC’s investigation uncovered 15 domiciliary accounts and five local accounts in seven Nigerian banks used to facilitate the fraud.

Massive Financial Transactions Uncovered

The fraud ring received over $950,000 in Nigerian bank accounts, with an additional $450,000 traced to offshore accounts in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

“Even as we speak, unsuspecting victims are still depositing funds into these fraudulent accounts,” Prof. Adeyeye said.

She revealed that just before the press conference, authorities discovered a fresh $75,000 deposit in one of the fraudsters’ domiciliary accounts.

Fake Documents Used to Deceive Victims

The criminals allegedly issued forged NAFDAC certificates, fake revenue receipts, and fraudulent registration documents. Some of the falsified transactions included:

• A fake NAFDAC Certificate of Registration for dried fish (Seafood) with the counterfeit registration number A2-7059, issued to Thani Almaeeni Trading Group.
• Revenue receipts for fraudulent payments, including transactions of ₦6,687,000, ₦20,900,000, and ₦6,819,200 from different foreign firms.
• A falsified NAFDAC processing requirement document demanding $13,785, signed in the name of a former NAFDAC Director-General who had retired a year earlier.

“These fraudsters were highly sophisticated. They used forged letterheads, fake revenue receipts, and counterfeit NAFDAC certificates to make their scams appear legitimate,” Prof. Adeyeye stated.

Multiple International Companies Defrauded

Aside from Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, other foreign businesses that fell victim to the scam include:

• Japan Long Tie (China) Co. Ltd., Jinan, China – for condom importation.
• Aquaforest SP, Brzesko, Poland – for registration of drinks and vegetable oil.
• Nomea Srl, Italy – for NAFDAC product registration.
• Tianyan Filter Cloth Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China.
• Siam Canadian China Ltd., Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.

Next Steps: EFCC to Take Over Investigation

Prof. Adeyeye confirmed that once NAFDAC concluded its investigation, the case would be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further action under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

“This case is beyond NAFDAC’s mandate. We will hand it over to the EFCC to expand the investigation into other areas, including tracking assets illegally acquired through these fraudulent activities,” she said.

NAFDAC’s Measures to Prevent Future Scams

To curb similar fraudulent activities, NAFDAC has restructured its Investigation and Enforcement Task Force, increasing the number of Investigating Police Officers and Mobile Police personnel.

The agency has also strengthened Federal and State Task Forces to enhance enforcement efforts nationwide.

“We have strengthened our investigation and enforcement activities to curb fraudsters who exploit innocent businesses,” Prof. Adeyeye assured.

She warned businesses against dealing with consultants claiming to assist with NAFDAC registration, advising companies to verify all registrations through the official NAFDAC portal: https://registration.nafdac.gov.ng/.

“We urge the public to remain vigilant. Do not transact with individuals or companies that claim to facilitate NAFDAC registrations outside our official platform,” she emphasized.

Conclusion

With the EFCC poised to take over the case, authorities expect to trace additional assets and prosecute those involved. Meanwhile, NAFDAC continues its crackdown on fraudsters in a bid to protect businesses and uphold regulatory integrity in Nigeria.