Segun Atanda/
What began as three seemingly unrelated complaints from vehicle dealers has unraveled into one of Lagos’ most sophisticated automobile fraud rings. Behind the polished promises, post-dated cheques and claims of supplying luxury vehicles to influential politicians was an organised criminal syndicate that allegedly swindled dealers out of exotic vehicles worth over N1 billion before disappearing with the proceeds.
The breakthrough came after detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, painstakingly linked the cases together, exposing a coordinated network that preyed on unsuspecting automobile dealers across the state.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, said the harmonised investigation uncovered a criminal enterprise specialising in conspiracy, obtaining goods under false pretences, fraudulent conversion, stealing and the issuance of dud cheques.
According to him, what initially appeared to be three separate fraud cases turned out to be the handiwork of the same syndicate, operating with an identical pattern of deception.
The first case centred on a suspect identified as Muritala, who allegedly obtained vehicles after falsely assuring dealers that payment would be made after the vehicles were sold.
During interrogation, Muritala reportedly confessed and identified Fatai Balogun, popularly known as “Eleku,” as his accomplice.
Police investigations revealed that Balogun was already being investigated over similar offences.
Balogun allegedly admitted his involvement and disclosed that the vehicles were handed over to Otunba Olamilekan Ismail, who is currently on the run.
Investigators subsequently linked Balogun to 12 exotic vehicles fraudulently obtained 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 investigation involved complaints from three victims against Balogun, Ismail Olamilekan and others over conspiracy, fraudulent conversion, stealing and the issuance of dud cheques.
Police said the suspects allegedly obtained seven vehicles valued at about N700 million after falsely claiming the vehicles were meant for prominent politicians in Abuja.
Payment was reportedly made with post-dated cheques, all of which bounced when presented at the bank.
Balogun allegedly confessed to disposing of the vehicles to different buyers. Detectives recovered a 2020 Toyota Hiace Bus and a 2018 Ford Edge SUV during the investigation.
The third case involved the alleged fraudulent acquisition of 10 Toyota Hiace buses (2016 model) valued at N320 million.
Police said Balogun, alongside Bashiru Babatunde and others, claimed they were acting on behalf of Alhaji Ismaila and another suspect identified simply as Segun, both of whom remain at large.
The syndicate allegedly issued a post-dated cheque that was later dishonoured because of insufficient funds.
Detectives recovered eight of the buses, although they had been damaged. Two buses valued at N56.5 million are still missing.
According to the Commissioner of Police, the suspects admitted participating in the fraud and claimed the vehicles were procured on the instructions of Alhaji Ismaila for purported political campaign activities.
CP Fatai said comparative analysis of the three investigations revealed that the syndicate consistently targeted reputable vehicle dealers through false representations, secured vehicles using dud or post-dated cheques, quickly transferred the vehicles to third parties, converted the proceeds for personal gain and used intermediaries to conceal the identities of the principal beneficiaries.
He said the harmonised investigation enabled detectives to expose the entire criminal network instead of treating each complaint as an isolated incident.
Recovered exhibits include a 2017 Toyota Highlander, 2010 Toyota RAV4, 2007 Toyota Highlander, two 2016 Toyota Hiace buses, a 2020 Toyota Hiace Bus and a 2018 Ford Edge SUV.
The police said efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining vehicles and arrest all fleeing suspects.
CP Fatai reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling organised criminal syndicates operating within and outside Lagos, assuring members of the public that all legitimate complaints would receive thorough investigation.
He also urged vehicle dealers to exercise greater caution before releasing vehicles, particularly where payments involve post-dated cheques or unfamiliar intermediaries, while encouraging residents to continue providing credible information to assist police investigations.
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