Benin: arrest of a fake marabout accused of fraud involving false money multiplication in Gogounou

The suspect allegedly extorted a large sum of money from a woman who came to consult him to resolve a recurring issue of her savings disappearing.

The complainant, according to information from Kpakpato media, had sought the services of the fake practitioner to find an endogenous solution to her financial losses. Taking advantage of her gullibility, the alleged scammer first demanded 40,000 CFA francs for making a protection amulet.

Returning a few days later with a canary, he convinced the woman to place 600,000 CFA francs wrapped in paper and sealed with a red thread inside it. According to the instructions given, the container was to be opened only after three days. Once the deadline passed, the victim could only observe the complete evaporation of her money.

​Caught in a trap by the police during a new attempt

With the complaint in hand, the officers from the Gogounou police station, under the direction of Commissioner Constant Koudoro, quickly set a trap for the suspect. The suspect, originally from Banikoara, returned to Gogounou again hoping to collect an additional sum of one million CFA francs this time.

Immediately arrested, the fake marabout confessed to all the facts, curiously claiming that the missing sum would soon reappear.

Held in custody awaiting the completion of procedures, he will be presented to the public prosecutor to answer for his actions.