Ondo police arrest three over alleged N42m fraud
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested three suspected fraudsters over separate alleged cases involving a Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 valued at N23 million and £10,000 (about N19 million) allegedly obtained under false pretences.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed the development in a statement issued Saturday, saying the suspects were arrested by detectives attached to the Command Monitoring Unit following sustained investigations.
In the first case, two suspects, identified as Bisi Vado and Small Autos, were arrested for allegedly posing as genuine vehicle dealers and obtaining a Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 worth N23 million from a man identified as Michael Oluwafemi.
According to Jimoh, the suspects also collected N4 million from Oluwafemi under the pretext of helping him sell the vehicle and facilitate the importation of another vehicle from overseas.
However, after taking possession of the vehicle and money, the suspects allegedly failed to fulfil the agreement and converted the proceeds to their personal use, prompting the complainant to report the matter to the police.
Meanwhile, detectives arrested Gbenga Omileye over a separate alleged £10,000 fraud involving a man identified as Akinjomo Peter. Jimoh said the money was collected in 2022 to secure United Kingdom student visas for Peter’s wife and niece.
He said Omileye later sent the complainant an admission letter purportedly issued for the proposed study arrangement, but subsequent checks reportedly established that the document was fraudulent. The suspect was arrested on August 31 following sustained investigative efforts.
Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, commended the detectives for their diligence and said the command would continue to deploy intelligence-driven policing to protect residents from fraud. He urged the public to exercise caution before handing over large sums of money or valuable property, particularly in vehicle, overseas travel, education and visa-related transactions. The suspects, the command said, would be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
