A self-proclaimed marabout, or traditional folk healer, has been arrested in Mali for allegedly swindling people out of €33,500 (approximately 22 million CFA francs) by promising victory for the Malian national team in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The man, identified as Mr. Sinayogo, reportedly collected donations from individuals seeking luck for the team, claiming his spiritual powers could guarantee a win. However, after Mali’s quarter-final loss to Senegal, an angry mob gathered at Sinayogo’s residence, prompting police intervention.
Sinayogo was arrested in Bamako, Mali’s capital, on Saturday for “fraud” and is being held at the cybercrime division. Authorities stated that “charlatanism is punishable by law in Mali”, and the arrest was made possible only after the team’s elimination.
Sinayogo, a former political activist, reportedly reinvented himself as a marabout overnight, amassing wealth through his claims. A social media content creator familiar with him stated that Sinayogo “proclaimed himself a marabout overnight and made a fortune”.
This incident highlights the growing issue of spiritual scams in Mali and West Africa, where individuals exploit people’s hopes and desperation for financial gain.
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