From: David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi

An Anambra State-born  businessman, in South Africa, has lamented the operation of a syndicate that allegedly used dubious means and threats to extort big sums of money from some Nigerians, especially those of Igbo extraction, in that country.

The businessman who did not want his name in prints, for security reasons, described the syndicate as ‘powerful and dangerous’. He explained that the extortionist gang were working in tandem with some Nigerian prisoners in South Africa.

He revealed that their modus operandi was to make anonymous calls to some businessmen who were doing well in that country, demanding specific amounts of money in hard currencies from their targeted victims, who were expected to pay the money or risk losing their lives or lives of dear ones.

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He said members of the alleged extortionists would even trace their victims or members of their families to their home towns in order to execute their mission in case the money demanded was not paid.

The source said the crime had been thriving for quite a long time and that most of the victims had not been talking based on stern warnings from the perpetrators that if they dared give information to security agents about their criminal activities, that death would be the penalty.

He said what the perpetrators always demanded were in thousands and millions of dollars. According to him, the victims dared not argue when the perpetrators made their demands having known the financial status of their victims. He explained that before members of the syndicate would strike, they must have studied their victim’s business operations and would be able to know their material worth, to be sure that the victim would be able to pay the amount demanded.

“I know security agents in Nigeria could liaise with their South African counterparts to unravel these criminal activities that have assumed a dangerous dimension since it involves loss of life. Obviously, the syndicate is powerful and can only be demystified by the government. Let this be investigated,” the source said.