CBN investigates $1b counterfeited by Nigerians, other nationals
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
An investigation has been launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) into an alleged $1 billion counterfeit deal allegedly perpetrated by a Nigerian and four nationals of other countries.
The investigation was disclosed in a memo dated 23 August 2023 the CBN wrote to banks and financial institutions.
The correspondence said counterfeited dollar notes are meant for the African market.
The memo, referenced FPR/AML/INT/DSH/001/039, and signed by CBN Director of Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Chibuzo Efobi, disclosed the “arrest of a Nigerian and four other nationals for alleged involvement in currency counterfeiting.”
It 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.”
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Memo names suspects from Nigeria, Ghana, UK, Sweden
The memo named the suspects as Dele Bolade Samson with Nigerian and Swedish passports, Kean Kwasi Arhin (Ghanaian), Netanel Jakob Weiss (Briton), Bo Nils Olof Forsaker (Swedish), and Peter Willi Herbert Schick (Swedish), per The Guardian.
It added: “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.”
