A mobile phone recharge card wholesaler in Benin City, South-South Nigeria, has alleged that a buyer used magic tricks to dupe her by receiving recharge cards worth N35.000, while the money he paid later varnished into a bunch of a five naira notes that amounted to a few hundred naira.
Narrating what she describes as an “unforgettable ordeal,” Mercy Osaghae says when a middle-aged man walked into her wholesale store, located in the St. Savior area of Benin, few days ago to buy recharge card for retail, little did she know that he was on a diabolical mission.

“He was calm and we did business politely. He bought recharge cards of N35,000 and paid me in 1,000 naira notes. I counted the money in his presence and thanked him for his patronage,” she told Transport & Business Express.
“No sooner had he left than I noticed that the N35,000 was gone and in its place I saw a bunch of five naira notes placed on the desk where I put the N35,000. I was alarmed because no one else was there with me in the store,” Miss Osaghae added.
She said she quickly raised an alarm but by then the man, a first-time customer, was already gone.
The owner of the store, Evans Iyangbe, told Transport & Business Express that he was distressed by the incident. “This is sad for me and my business because I work really hard for every naira I get. Mercy has been an honest worker for me and I really have no reason to doubt her story. Besides, I have heard of similar things happening to other businessmen. We can’t be too careful with people we do business with at times,” he said.
A neighbour who came to sympathise with him and Miss Osaghae said she must have been under a spell when she was dealing with the customer. “I think she was actually bound by a spell, and she was paid with 5 naira notes, but she could not realise this because of the charm that was used on her,” the sympathiser said.

Both Miss Osaghae and her boss saw no need to report the incident to the police since they believe doing so is of no use as the man may never be apprehended.

*Photo shows King’s Square (Ring Road) in Benin City, a major landmark in the city where the incident happened.