The Lagos State Police Command has dismantled a vehicle fraud syndicate linked to the theft of high-end cars worth over N1 billion. Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai reported that detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti tracked these crimes across multiple regions, including Abuja.
Investigations focused on a group led by an individual known as Otunba, who is currently evading arrest. Fatai Balogun, alias “Eleku,” was identified as a primary suspect alongside Muritala, Bashiru, and Segun. According to police reports, the suspects manipulated car dealers by issuing invalid post-dated cheques and falsely claiming the vehicles were intended for political figures in Abuja.
In one instance, suspects obtained 10 Toyota Hiace buses worth N320 million, only for the payment cheques to bounce. While some vehicles were recovered in poor condition, others remain missing. The syndicate typically moved the stolen vehicles quickly to unsuspecting buyers to avoid detection. Using the AUTOREG tracking system, police successfully recovered several vehicles, including Toyota Highlander SUVs, a Ford Edge, and various Toyota Hiace buses.
