The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a criminal syndicate accused of defrauding vehicle dealers of exotic vehicles worth more than N1.02bn, with detectives recovering several of the stolen vehicles and launching a manhunt for fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of harmonised investigations into three interrelated cases of conspiracy, obtaining goods under false pretence, fraudulent conversion, stealing and issuance of dud cheques.
Fatai said the three cases, initially reported separately by different complainants, were found to be connected after detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, identified a common pattern in the suspects’ operations.
According to him, the syndicate specialised in fraudulently obtaining luxury vehicles from unsuspecting dealers through false representations, issuing dud and post-dated cheques, and disposing of the vehicles for personal gain.
The police commissioner said investigations showed the suspects obtained vehicles valued at over N1.02bn, comprising seven vehicles worth about N700m in one case and 10 Toyota Hiace buses valued at N320m in another. He added that another investigation linked the syndicate to 12 exotic vehicles fraudulently obtained from different dealers, although their value was yet to be disclosed.
In the first case, Fatai said a suspect identified as Muritala confessed to obtaining vehicles under the false promise that payment would be made after their disposal. During interrogation, he allegedly implicated one Fatai Balogun, also known as “Eleku”, who was already under investigation for a similar offence.
According to the CP, Balogun admitted participating in the fraudulent transactions and revealed that the vehicles were handed over to one Otunba Olamilekan Ismail, who is currently at large.
The investigation linked Balogun to 12 exotic vehicles fraudulently obtained from different dealers. Using intelligence-led operations and the AUTOREG vehicle tracking platform, detectives recovered a 2010 Toyota RAV4, a 2007 Toyota Highlander and a 2017 Toyota Highlander.
Fatai said the second investigation stemmed from complaints by three victims who accused Balogun, Ismail Olamilekan and others of conspiracy, fraudulent conversion, stealing and issuing dud cheques.
He said the suspects fraudulently obtained seven vehicles worth about N700 million after falsely claiming the vehicles were being supplied to prominent politicians in Abuja. Payment was made with post-dated cheques, all of which were dishonoured when presented at the bank.
The principal suspect, according to the police, confessed to the offences and admitted selling the vehicles to different buyers. Detectives recovered a 2020 Toyota Hiace bus and a 2018 Ford Edge SUV during the investigation.
In the third case, Fatai said Balogun, Bashiru Babatunde and others allegedly fraudulently acquired 10 Toyota Hiace buses valued at N320 million after claiming they were acting on behalf of one Alhaji Ismaila and another suspect identified simply as Segun, both of whom remain at large.
He said the cheque issued in payment was returned due to insufficient funds.
The commissioner added that detectives recovered eight of the buses, although they had been damaged, while two buses valued at N56.5 million are still missing.
“The suspects admitted participating in the fraud and disclosed that the vehicles were procured on the instructions of Alhaji Ismaila for purported political campaign activities,” he said.
Fatai said detectives discovered that the syndicate consistently targeted reputable vehicle dealers, used dud or post-dated cheques to obtain vehicles, transferred them immediately to third parties and concealed the identities of the principal beneficiaries through intermediaries.
He said the command has so far recovered several vehicles, including two Toyota Highlanders, a Toyota RAV4, Toyota Hiace buses and a Ford Edge SUV, while efforts are ongoing to arrest all fleeing suspects and recover the remaining vehicles.
The commissioner urged vehicle dealers to exercise caution before releasing vehicles, particularly where payments are made through post-dated cheques or unfamiliar intermediaries, assuring the public that the command would continue to dismantle organised criminal networks operating within and beyond Lagos State.
(The Whistler)
