Mali AFCON marabout arrested for fraud after predicting Eagles’ triumph | OneFootball

A man who billed himself online as a marabout and pledged Mali would win the Africa Cup of Nations was arrested at the weekend for fraud.

According to Le Progres, the individual, known only as Mr Sinayogo, solicited donations on social media, raising more than 22 million CFA francs, about 33,500 euros.

Mali were knocked out on Friday, losing 1-0 to Senegal in the quarter-finals. An angry crowd then went to his home before police intervened to remove him.

On Saturday he was placed in custody at the cybercrime unit. In Mali, charlatanism is punishable by law, and acting earlier while the team were still competing was considered difficult amid AFCON fervour.

The man had previously been known as a political activist before declaring himself a marabout overnight and was said to have made a fortune.

Source: Le Progres