Alleged kingpin of a vehicle fraud syndicate tied to the acquisition of vehicles worth of N1 billion across Lagos, Ismaila Jaji, otherwise known as Otunba has been successfully apprehended by the Lagos State Police Command.
Ismaila Jaji, who had been on the run for being the mastermind behind the syndicate that fraudulently acquired 29 vehicles worth over N1bn across Lagos was arrested after investigations and confessions from arrested members of his gang, who pointed him out as the alleged leader of the syndicate that has been operating for close to a year.
The State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, following the confessional statements and investigations, directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to intensify efforts and arrest Jaji.
During the display of the recovered exotic cars, the Commissioner assured the public that he would be arrested.
According to a police source, the syndicate is renowned for fraudulently obtaining exotic vehicles from unaware car dealers in Lagos through impersonation, followed by the conversion and illicit disposal of the vehicles.
“They obtained the vehicles using dud or post-dated cheques before selling and transferring them to third parties and concealed the identities of the principal beneficiaries through intermediaries.”
The cases were often reported separately, however due investigation by the force revealed that they were linked, with members of the syndicate identified.
“Investigations identified members of the syndicate as Adeyemo Muritala, Fatai Eleku, Fatai Balogun, Ismail Ajayi, Bashiru Babatunde, one Otunba and another suspect identified simply as Segun, ” the Commissioner said.
Accordingly, intelligence-led policing and tracking platform had produced 16 recovered vehicles, with 12 returned to their rightful owners.
The police revealed that vehicles worth an estimated N534 million outstanding, while efforts are ongoing to recover them and arrest other members of the syndicate who are on the run.
Vehicle dealers are urged by the police to verify the identities and credentials of potential buyers, be cautious especially with transactions involving post-dated cheques or unfamiliarity.