Suspected members of an alleged transnational fraud syndicate arrested in Ogun State have claimed that the operation they joined was controlled by a Malaysian national they never met in person.
According to the suspects, instructions came entirely through online communication, while members across different countries allegedly worked under a remote structure built around promises of wealth and business success.
According to reports, the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force announced the arrests following an operation in Agbado, Ifo Local Government Area.
Police said the suspects were linked to a networking scheme known as “Ignite,” which allegedly attracted foreign nationals into Nigeria under the promise of financial opportunities.
Authorities alleged that victims were persuaded to pay for products that were never delivered and encouraged to recruit others into the system.
Investigators also accused members of the network of involvement in an alleged staged kidnapping attempt targeting a Mauritanian national.
“All Orders Came From Malaysia”
One of the suspects identified by police as a leader of the group, 34-year-old Zadariah Sawadogo from Burkina Faso, claimed he arrived in Nigeria in 2023 searching for better economic opportunities.
According to him, a friend introduced him to Ignite Networking and presented it as a business capable of generating substantial income.
Sawadogo claimed that all operational decisions came from a Malaysian national who remained anonymous and communicated only through the internet.
“We took orders from Malaysia. Our boss is a Malaysian national, and I have never met him before. We only communicate on the internet,” he reportedly stated.
He explained that participants were instructed to recruit new members while waiting for products allegedly supplied by the overseas operator.
However, he said the promised deliveries never arrived.
Father Sold Land to Fund Investment, Suspect Claims
Sawadogo further alleged that he became convinced enough about the opportunity to persuade his father to sell family property in Ivory Coast.
According to him, the land was sold for 1.6 million CFA Franc and the money transferred to Nigeria for investment in the business.
He said he rented the apartment where police later carried out arrests and used the remaining funds to purchase products from the scheme.
But despite the payments, he claimed the products were never delivered.
“Our boss kept saying more people needed to pay before products could be shipped together,” he alleged.
Sawadogo added that before his arrest, he had received only $90 as referral earnings.
Woman Claims Mauritanian Lover Joined Through Network
Police also identified 25-year-old Sole Nata as the individual who allegedly introduced Mauritanian national Cheikh Mhedy to the network.
Nata admitted she met him online and encouraged him to travel to Nigeria after they became romantically involved.
According to her, Mhedy arrived without sufficient funds to purchase products, prompting her to allegedly contribute ₦500,000 on his behalf.
She further claimed that Mhedy later suggested staging a fake kidnapping in an attempt to obtain money from his family.
According to her account, he allegedly demanded 6.5 million CFA Franc from his father by claiming he had been abducted in Nigeria.
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She maintained that others in the group advised against the amount but alleged that he insisted his father would only send money if the kidnapping story appeared serious.
Another Suspect Says He Joined Hoping to Become Rich
Another suspect, identified as Togolese artist Kuneji Ezekiel, also described himself as a victim rather than a beneficiary.
He said he joined after being promised financial success by a friend and paid 400,000 CFA Franc for products he never received.
According to him, around 50 people were living in the apartment before police carried out the arrests.
He claimed communication with the alleged Malaysian coordinator happened only through designated leaders.
Police Warn Against Quick-Wealth Schemes
Reacting to the development, Ogun Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi warned members of the public against networking schemes and business models that promise rapid financial returns without clear transparency.
He said preliminary investigations suggested that some of those arrested may themselves have been recruited into the operation and treated as victims.
According to police, such individuals have been transferred to the Nigerian Immigration Service for profiling and further action.
The command reiterated its commitment to tackling fraud and protecting residents from criminal networks operating under the appearance of legitimate business opportunities.