Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered an organised criminal syndicate allegedly involved in fraudulently acquiring exotic vehicles from dealers through false representations, dud cheques and post-dated payments.
Briefing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, said investigations by detectives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, into three separate complaints revealed that the cases were interconnected and executed by the same network.
According to him, the syndicate specialised in obtaining luxury vehicles from unsuspecting dealers under false pretences before disposing of them for personal gain.
The first investigation led to the arrest of one Muritala, who confessed to obtaining vehicles fraudulently and identified Fatai Balogun, also known as Eleku, as an accomplice. Balogun allegedly admitted his involvement and disclosed that some of the vehicles were handed over to Otunba Olamilekan Ismail, who is currently at large.
The police subsequently recovered a 2017 Toyota Highlander, 2010 Toyota RAV4 and a 2007 Toyota Highlander.
In a related case, Balogun and other suspects allegedly obtained seven vehicles valued at approximately ₦700 million after claiming they were acting on behalf of prominent politicians in Abuja. Payments made with post-dated cheques were dishonoured upon presentation.
A 2020 Toyota Hiace Bus and a 2018 Ford Edge SUV were recovered during the investigation.
The third case involved the alleged fraudulent acquisition of 10 Toyota Hiace buses valued at ₦320 million using a post-dated cheque that was returned for insufficient funds. Police recovered eight of the buses, while two valued at ₦56.5 million remain outstanding.
CP Fatai said a comparative analysis of the three cases established that the syndicate employed a common pattern by targeting reputable vehicle dealers, issuing dud or post-dated cheques, transferring the vehicles to third parties and concealing the identities of the principal beneficiaries.
He assured the public that investigations were continuing to apprehend all fleeing suspects and recover the outstanding vehicles.
The Commissioner also advised vehicle dealers to exercise due diligence before releasing vehicles where payments are made through post-dated cheques or transactions involving unfamiliar intermediaries, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to dismantling organised criminal networks operating within and outside Lagos State.
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