The Ondo State Police Command has arrested three residents suspected of defrauding members of the public of about N42m in separate vehicle and United Kingdom student visa transactions in the state.
The suspects allegedly carried out the schemes by obtaining a Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 worth N23m and an additional N4m under false pretences, while another suspect allegedly collected £10,000, equivalent to about N19m, to secure UK student visas.
The arrests were made by detectives attached to the command’s Monitoring Unit in separate cases, with one of the suspects, Gbenga Omileye, arrested on August 31 following sustained investigation into the visa fraud complaint.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, saying two other suspects, Bisi Vado and a man known as Small Autos, allegedly presented themselves as legitimate vehicle dealers.
According to Jimoh, the two suspects allegedly collected the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 from Michael Oluwafemi, claiming they would assist him with its sale and the importation of another vehicle from overseas.
He said the suspects also allegedly received N4m from Oluwafemi for the transaction but failed to fulfil their agreement, allegedly converting the vehicle and money to personal use.
Jimoh added that Omileye allegedly obtained £10,000 from Akinjomo Peter in 2022 after promising to secure UK student visas for Peter’s wife and niece.
The PPRO said the suspect later sent an admission letter purportedly connected to the proposed study arrangement, but investigations allegedly established that the document was fraudulent.
The Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, commended the detectives for their diligence, stressing that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing against financial crimes.
Ohagwu advised residents to conduct proper checks before handing over large sums of money or valuable property, especially in vehicle importation, overseas travel, education and visa-related transactions.
The command said investigation into the cases was ongoing, adding that the suspects would be charged to court after the completion of the investigations.