Oumar Kane, a 34-year-old Senegalese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler known as Reug Reug, was arrested along with two others, including his uncle A.B. Ndiaye and his mystical preparer D. Faye, on September 28, 2026. They were detained by gendarmes from the Brigade de recherche de l'Avenue Faidherbe in Dakar. The trio was accused of association of wrongdoers, counterfeiting currency, and money laundering.
According to reports, Reug Reug and his accomplices were caught in a sting operation after several days of surveillance and phone tapping. The gendarmes had set up a trap in an apartment in the Maristes neighborhood of Hann, where they had installed a machine for washing counterfeit bills. Reug Reug had transported a carton of counterfeit dollar bills to the meeting point, unaware that the "technicians" he was meeting were actually undercover gendarmes.
The counterfeit bills were valued at over 830 million FCFA. During interrogation, Reug Reug claimed he had only transported the carton at the request of his uncle, without knowing its contents. However, investigators found that he had stayed to discuss the sharing of the money with the others, with 70% of the total amount allegedly going to him, his uncle, and his preparer.
Despite being detained and put under investigation, Reug Reug was released after his interrogation by the financial prosecutor. His uncle, A.B. Ndiaye, assumed responsibility for the counterfeit bills, claiming ownership and covering his nephew. The case is still under investigation, with authorities seeking to determine the origin of the counterfeit bills and potential links to larger networks.
Reug Reug, a renowned MMA fighter and ONE Championship heavyweight champion, had recently been in the news for a controversial incident involving animal welfare. During a wrestling match, he had placed kittens in a bucket of water as part of a mystical ritual, sparking outrage and condemnation from animal rights groups.
The arrest and subsequent release of Reug Reug have sparked mixed reactions in Senegal, with some expressing surprise at his involvement in the counterfeiting ring given his successful career and substantial earnings. The case has also raised questions about the involvement of prominent figures in Senegal's sports scene.
Authorities are still searching for a prominent Senegalese wrestling promoter who has gone missing since Reug Reug's arrest. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the case unfolds.
Key points
- Reug Reug was released after interrogation over counterfeit dollar bills.
- The Senegalese MMA champion was arrested along with two others, including his uncle and mystical preparer.
- The case involves counterfeit dollar bills valued at over 830 million FCFA.
