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Lagos Police Bust N1.02bn Vehicle Fraud Syndicate, Recover Exotic Vehicles

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, (second from the left), flanked by other officers during a press briefing on Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Lagos Police Bust N1.02bn Vehicle Fraud Syndicate, Recover Exotic Vehicles

The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a sophisticated vehicle fraud syndicate accused of defrauding automobile dealers of exotic vehicles worth over N1.02 billion through deception, dud and post-dated cheques. Detectives have recovered several luxury vehicles and launched a manhunt for the alleged ringleader, Otunba Olamilekan Ismail, who is currently at large.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Tijani Fatai, disclosed the development on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja on recent breakthroughs recorded by the command. According to him, detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, harmonised three separate complaints initially reported independently by different victims after discovering striking similarities in the suspects’ operational methods. The harmonised investigations revealed a coordinated criminal network specialising in conspiracy, obtaining goods under false pretences, fraudulent conversion, stealing, and the issuance of dud cheques.

Investigations established that the syndicate targeted reputable vehicle dealers by falsely claiming they were purchasing vehicles on behalf of influential clients or for prominent politicians in Abuja. The suspects allegedly issued post-dated or dud cheques as payment before quickly transferring the vehicles to third parties and concealing the identities of the masterminds through intermediaries. The fraud involved vehicles valued at more than N1.02 billion, including seven luxury vehicles worth about N700 million and 10 Toyota Hiace buses valued at N320 million. Investigators also linked the syndicate to another 12 exotic vehicles allegedly obtained through similar means from different dealers.

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In the first case, a suspect identified as Muritala confessed to obtaining vehicles under the false promise that payment would be made after their disposal. During interrogation, he implicated Fatai Balogun, popularly known as “Eleku,” who was already under investigation for a similar offence. Balogun later admitted his involvement and told investigators that the vehicles had been delivered to Otunba Olamilekan Ismail, also known as Otunba Jaji, who is currently at large. Balogun claimed Olamilekan promised him a 30 per cent commission from the proceeds of the vehicles.

Using intelligence-led operations and the AUTOREG vehicle tracking platform, detectives recovered several vehicles linked to the syndicate. The recovered vehicles include a 2010 Toyota RAV4, a 2007 Toyota Highlander, a 2017 Toyota Highlander, a 2020 Toyota Hiace bus, a 2018 Ford Edge SUV, and two 2016 Toyota Hiace buses.

In the second case, three complainants accused Balogun, Ismail Olamilekan, and others of conspiracy, fraudulent conversion, issuing dud cheques, and stealing. The suspects fraudulently obtained seven vehicles worth about N700 million after falsely claiming they were supplying them to prominent politicians in Abuja. Payment was made with post-dated cheques, all of which were dishonoured when presented at the bank. The principal suspect admitted selling the vehicles to different buyers.

In the third case, Balogun, Bashiru Babatunde, and others allegedly fraudulently acquired 10 Toyota Hiace buses valued at N320 million after claiming they were acting on behalf of one Alhaji Ismaila and another suspect identified simply as Segun, both of whom remain at large. The cheque issued in payment was returned due to insufficient funds. Detectives recovered eight of the buses, although they had sustained damage, while two buses valued at N56.5 million are still missing.

One of the suspects, a 68-year-old man, denied knowing the vehicles were fraudulently obtained, claiming his role was limited to introducing buyers for a 30 per cent commission. The police said the suspects remain in custody while investigations continue to identify and arrest other members of the criminal network. All cases will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Commissioner Fatai commended the detectives for their thorough work and advised vehicle dealers to exercise due diligence before releasing vehicles, especially where transactions involve post-dated cheques or unknown agents. “The success of this investigation underscores our commitment to dismantling organised criminal syndicates operating within and beyond Lagos State. All suspects connected with these cases will be apprehended and prosecuted,” he said.