Fraud Gang Member Reveals Shocking Details After Arrest in Ibadan

A 35-year-old man, Tokunbo Aderibigbe, was apprehended by the Oluyole Security Surveillance Team (OSST) in Ibadan, Oyo State, for his involvement in a gang that defrauded Mrs. Yetunde Alabi, a 39-year-old trader, of ₦250,000. Aderibigbe confessed that he joined the fraud gang after falling victim to a similar scam.

According to Mrs. Alabi, she boarded a vehicle on her way from Ibadan to Ijebu-Ode when the driver and another passenger, both members of the gang, lured her into a fraudulent scheme. During the journey, they discussed a “carton of dollars” supposedly locked under a charm and claimed it required contributions of ₦250,000 from each person present to purchase chemicals for cleansing. Convinced by their elaborate act, Mrs. Alabi borrowed the money, transferring ₦240,000 via a Point of Sale (POS) operator and handing over ₦10,000 in cash.

However, after realizing she had been conned, the victim devised a plan to expose the fraudsters. She reported the incident to a relative and a church member, who accompanied her to confront the gang. The team intercepted Aderibigbe, while other gang members fled.

In a subsequent confession, Aderibigbe revealed that he joined the group after being scammed in October 2024. He explained that he had been duped of ₦590,000—the proceeds from his orange trade—by fraudsters who promised to help him access “cleansed dollars.” Unable to recover his money, he was coerced into joining the gang.

Aderibigbe admitted that this was his third operation with the group. He disclosed that the gang primarily targeted unsuspecting passengers, using fabricated tales of cursed money to extort large sums. He also revealed that he was paid ₦10,000 from Mrs. Alabi’s stolen funds, describing his role as part of a broader network led by a man identified as “Alfa.”

Mrs. Alabi recounted her ordeal, describing how the gang initially demanded an additional ₦210,000 after taking the initial ₦250,000. She cleverly packed cut-up paper into a bag to feign compliance while alerting authorities, leading to Aderibigbe’s arrest.

Speaking to the OSST Commandant, Alfa, the alleged leader of the gang, justified their actions by blaming the victim’s “greed.” He claimed Mrs. Alabi fell for their scheme because she was lured by the promise of receiving ₦100 million after the dollars were cleansed. Alfa, now in hiding, promised to reimburse the stolen money by targeting new victims.

The case has been handed over to the Sanyo Division of the Oyo State Police Command for further investigation. Authorities are working to locate the remaining suspects and recover the stolen funds.