The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a coordinated vehicle fraud syndicate operating across the state, recovering several exotic vehicles allegedly obtained through deception, dud cheques and fraudulent transactions.
The breakthrough followed investigations into three separate cases reported at different times, which detectives later discovered were linked by a common pattern of operation.
Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the harmonised investigations carried out by detectives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.
He said the investigations established the existence of a criminal network that specialised in fraudulently obtaining exotic vehicles from unsuspecting dealers through false representations, the issuance of dud and post-dated cheques, and converting the vehicles for personal gain.
According to the Commissioner, the first case involved one Muritala, who allegedly obtained vehicles from dealers after claiming payment would be made once the vehicles were sold.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to the crime and identified one Fatai Balogun, also known as Eleku, as his accomplice.
Further investigations revealed that Balogun was already under investigation by the SCID in connection with a similar offence. He allegedly admitted participating in the fraudulent transactions and disclosed that the vehicles were subsequently handed over to one Otunba Olamilekan Ismail, who is currently at large.
Police investigations linked Balogun to the fraudulent acquisition of 12 exotic vehicles from different dealers.
Through intelligence-led operations and the AUTOREG vehicle tracking platform, detectives recovered a 2010 Toyota RAV4, a 2007 Toyota Highlander and a 2017 Toyota Highlander.
The second case involved complaints by three different victims against Fatai Balogun, Ismail Olamilekan and others over conspiracy, fraudulent conversion, issuance of dud cheques and stealing.
Investigators found that the suspects allegedly obtained seven vehicles valued at about ₦700 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.
Police said Balogun allegedly confessed to the offences and admitted disposing of the vehicles to different buyers. Detectives recovered a 2020 Toyota Hiace Bus and a 2018 Ford Edge SUV.
The third case also involved Fatai Balogun alongside Bashiru Babatunde and others over the alleged fraudulent acquisition of 10 Toyota Hiace buses (2016 model) valued at ₦320 million.
According to the police, the suspects falsely claimed they were acting on behalf of one Alhaji Ismaila and another person identified simply as Segun, both of whom remain at large.
A post-dated cheque issued as payment was later dishonoured due to insufficient funds.
Following sustained investigations, detectives recovered eight of the buses, although they were found in damaged condition. Two buses valued at ₦56.5 million are still missing.
The suspects allegedly admitted participating in the fraud and told investigators that the vehicles were procured on the instructions of Alhaji Ismaila for purported political campaign activities.
Fatai said a comparative analysis of the three cases showed they were interconnected and executed by the same criminal syndicate using a similar pattern.
According to him, the syndicate targeted reputable vehicle dealers through false representations, obtained vehicles using dud or post-dated cheques, quickly transferred them to third parties, converted the proceeds for personal gain and used intermediaries to conceal the identities of the principal beneficiaries.
He said harmonising the three investigations enabled detectives to uncover the wider criminal enterprise instead of treating each complaint as an isolated case.
The Commissioner disclosed that the command has 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 are ongoing to arrest fleeing suspects and recover the remaining vehicles.
He assured residents that the Lagos State Police Command remains committed to dismantling organised criminal syndicates and bringing everyone involved to justice.
Fatai also advised vehicle dealers and business owners to exercise caution before releasing vehicles, especially where payment is made through post-dated cheques or unfamiliar intermediaries.
He urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to the police and promptly report suspicious activities through the nearest police station or the command’s emergency lines.