Niger Police Dismantle Four Criminal Networks in Zinder

The Nigerien judicial police have successfully dismantled four criminal networks in Zinder, specializing in counterfeit currency, drug trafficking, and scams. The networks were presented to the media on November 10. According to Officer Maman Djamilou Warsou Ousmane, the police investigations revealed the modus operandi of these networks, which involved obtaining counterfeit currency from a marabout in Kano.

The first network's modus operandi involved exchanging furniture for counterfeit currency from a marabout in Kano, which they then attempted to circulate in Niger. To evade police control, they used their own daughter to conceal the counterfeit currency under her clothing. The police targeted pharmacies and small shops, using large denominations of counterfeit currency to receive authentic change. A search of the girl's clothing revealed 300,000 FCFA in counterfeit currency.

A second network consisted of individuals who worked for a money transfer company and hacked into a colleague's account, siphoning 5,000,500 FCFA. They transferred the funds to a Nigerian account before laundering the money through three different accounts in Niger. The police seized 5,400,000 FCFA and three mobile phones during a search. This network's activities highlight the growing threat of cybercrime in the region.

The third network involved a dismissed security forces agent suspected of telephone scams and identity theft. He contacted victims, claiming to need funds for sports equipment, and also posed as a fortune teller who could grant wealth in exchange for payment. He admitted to scamming multiple individuals, extracting over 1,000,000 FCFA. The police also discovered a fake professional nurse's card issued by the Ministry of Public Health during a search of his premises.

The fourth network specialized in trafficking narcotics, which were seized by the police. The dismantling of these networks demonstrates the Nigerien police's efforts to combat organized crime in the region. The authorities have been working to strengthen security and disrupt the activities of these groups.

According to Officer Maman Warssou, the police investigations and subsequent seizures were made possible through intelligence gathering and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. The police continue to work to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in these networks.

The successful dismantling of these four networks is a significant achievement for the Nigerien police, demonstrating their commitment to tackling organized crime and protecting citizens from the threats posed by these groups. The authorities have pledged to continue their efforts to maintain security and stability in the region.

Key points

• The Nigerien judicial police dismantled four criminal networks involved in counterfeit currency, drug trafficking, and scams in Zinder.