Lagos Police uncover N1bn vehicle fraud syndicate, recover exotic cars

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a sophisticated vehicle fraud syndicate that allegedly swindled automobile dealers of vehicles worth over N1 billion through the use of dud and post-dated cheques, leading to the recovery of several exotic vehicles and buses while efforts continue to apprehend fleeing members of the network.

The breakthrough followed investigations into three separate complaints of conspiracy, obtaining goods under false pretences, fraudulent conversion, stealing and issuance of dud cheques, which detectives later discovered were linked and executed by the same criminal syndicate operating within and outside Lagos State.

Briefing journalists at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, said painstaking investigations revealed a coordinated criminal network that specialised in fraudulently obtaining vehicles from unsuspecting dealers through deception before disposing of them for personal gain.

According to him, the syndicate targeted reputable vehicle dealers by falsely presenting themselves as genuine buyers, issued dud or post-dated cheques as payment, immediately transferred the vehicles to third parties and concealed the identities of the principal beneficiaries through intermediaries.

Fatai explained that investigations commenced after separate complaints were lodged by different vehicle dealers at different times. However, detectives uncovered striking similarities in the methods adopted by the suspects, prompting the harmonisation of the investigations.

He said the first case involved one Muritala, who allegedly obtained vehicles under the pretext that payment would be made after selling them. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed and implicated one Fatai Balogun, popularly known as Eleku, as his accomplice.

The commissioner disclosed that further investigations showed Balogun was already under investigation over a similar offence and allegedly admitted participating in the fraudulent transactions. He also revealed that the vehicles were handed over to one Otunba Olamilekan Ismail, who is currently at large.

According to the police commissioner, detectives linked Balogun to the fraudulent acquisition of 12 exotic vehicles from different dealers and, through intelligence-led operations supported by the AUTOREG vehicle tracking platform, recovered a 2010 Toyota RAV4, a 2007 Toyota Highlander and a 2017 Toyota Highlander.

Fatai said the second investigation arose from complaints by three victims against Balogun, Ismail Olamilekan and others over conspiracy, fraudulent conversion, stealing and issuance of dud cheques.

He said the suspects allegedly obtained seven vehicles valued at about N700 million after falsely claiming they were supplying the vehicles to prominent politicians in Abuja.

“The payment was made with post-dated cheques, all of which were dishonoured upon presentation at the bank. The principal suspect confessed to the offences and admitted disposing of the vehicles to different buyers,” the commissioner said.
He disclosed that detectives recovered a 2020 Toyota Hiace bus and a 2018 Ford Edge SUV during the investigation.

Fatai further revealed that the third case involved the alleged fraudulent acquisition of 10 Toyota Hiace buses (2016 model) valued at N320 million by Balogun, Bashiru Babatunde and other accomplices, who claimed they were acting on behalf of one Alhaji Ismaila and another suspect identified simply as Segun, both of whom remain at large.

He said detectives recovered eight of the buses in damaged condition, while two buses valued at N56.5 million are still outstanding.

The commissioner added that the suspects confessed to participating in the fraud and claimed the vehicles were procured on the instructions of Alhaji Ismaila for purported political campaign activities.

Giving an update on the recoveries, Fatai said the Command had so far recovered a 2017 Toyota Highlander, a 2010 Toyota RAV4, a 2007 Toyota Highlander, two 2016 Toyota Hiace buses, a 2020 Toyota Hiace bus and a 2018 Ford Edge SUV, while efforts were ongoing to recover the remaining vehicles and arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.

“The Lagos State Police Command remains resolute in dismantling organised criminal syndicates operating within and beyond Lagos State. We assure members of the public, particularly vehicle dealers and business owners, that every legitimate complaint will be thoroughly investigated and all those involved in criminal activities will be brought to justice,” he said.

The police commissioner advised vehicle dealers to exercise due diligence before releasing vehicles, especially where payment is made through post-dated cheques or transactions involving unfamiliar intermediaries.

He also urged residents to continue supporting the police with credible information and to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Lagos State Police Command’s emergency lines.