Fake dollar syndicate storms Accra

The Independent says although it is not privy to strategic moves by security agencies on the clamp down of fake dollar traffickers in the system, it can hint on authority that one of the syndicates operates from Awoshie, a suburb of Accra in a house situated at an area called Orgle.

It says for well over a month now some Forex Bureax operators have been complaining about the circulation of some fake dollars in the system.

One Ahmed Baba, a petty trader is the latest victim to fall prey to the dubious activities of the Nigerian-run syndicate at Awoshie.

Before the Ahmed encounter with the syndicate, other victims according to residents in the vicinity had demanded their goods, which those behind the operation had paid with the fake dollar.

Ahmed was thus warned by those who had been witnesses to some of the nasty spectacles not to do business at a house tagged “Igbo House”.

An obstinate Ahmed had a rude shock of his life when the fears of the other residents were confirmed. Ahmed confirmed to The Independent that the Nigerians are of Igbo extradition and said he met one of them who gave his name as Okechukwu who gave him a hundred dollar note to change because he does not have cedis and take his share.

Ahmed, unsuspecting, went to a Forex Bureaux nearby in an attempt to change the dollar. “I was indeed shocked when I was told by the Forex Bureaux attendant that the dollar was fake”, he said adding that, “I was nearly arrested by other customers who thought I had come to dupe the poor attendant.”

He said he had to convince the attendant and the others that it was one Nigerian who gave him the currency.