Abidjan police arrest man for alleged black money scam

A 29-year-old Cameroonian national has been arrested in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, for an alleged “black money” scam. The suspect, identified by the initials T. I., was apprehended by police in the Cocody Angré district on October 14, 2026.

The individual reportedly approached a 44-year-old merchant claiming to possess US dollar bundles worth 20 million FCFA. The suspect claimed the bills were covered in a black powder to evade scanner detection and offered a demonstration at a rented residence. During the demonstration, the suspect used a purported cleaning agent to reveal a $100 bill and then requested 7 million FCFA from the merchant to purchase more cleaning solution for the remaining bundles.

Following the merchant's report to the authorities, police conducted a search of the residence. Officers seized a safe, 47 bundles of paper presented as bills to be cleaned, and three $100 bills. The suspect reportedly admitted to the facts during questioning.