The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated vehicle fraud syndicate following the harmonised investigation of three interrelated cases involving conspiracy, obtaining goods under false pretences, fraudulent conversion, stealing, and the issuance of dud cheques.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, disclosed the breakthrough during a press briefing held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Command Headquarters.

According to the Commissioner, although the three cases were reported separately by different complainants at different times, detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, discovered striking similarities in the suspects’ methods of operation. The findings prompted investigators to merge the cases, leading to the exposure of a coordinated criminal network.

Investigations revealed that the syndicate specialised in fraudulently obtaining exotic vehicles from unsuspecting dealers through false representations, issuing dud or post-dated cheques, and subsequently disposing of the vehicles for personal gain.

In the first case, detectives arrested one Muritala, who confessed to fraudulently obtaining vehicles under the pretext of paying after selling them. He identified Fatai Balogun, popularly known as “Eleku,” as his accomplice. Further investigation linked Balogun to twelve exotic vehicles fraudulently obtained from different dealers, while another suspect, Otunba Olamilekan Ismail, remains at large.

Using intelligence-led operations and the AUTOREG vehicle tracking platform, detectives recovered a 2010 Toyota RAV4, 2007 Toyota Highlander, and 2017 Toyota Highlander.

The second investigation involved complaints by three different victims against Fatai Balogun, Ismail Olamilekan, and others. The suspects allegedly obtained seven vehicles valued at approximately ₦700 million after falsely claiming the vehicles were intended for prominent politicians in Abuja. Payments were made with post-dated cheques, all of which were dishonoured. Balogun confessed to selling the vehicles, while detectives recovered a 2020 Toyota Hiace Bus and a 2018 Ford Edge SUV.

In the third case, Balogun, alongside Bashiru Babatunde and other accomplices, allegedly fraudulently acquired ten 2016 Toyota Hiace buses worth ₦320 million using another dishonoured post-dated cheque. Eight of the buses were recovered in damaged condition, while two buses valued at ₦56.5 million remain missing.

The suspects reportedly confessed that the vehicles were obtained on the instructions of one Alhaji Ismaila for alleged political campaign activities. Alhaji Ismaila and another suspect identified simply as Segun are currently on the run.

CP Tijani Fatai explained that investigators established a consistent pattern in the syndicate’s operations, which included targeting reputable vehicle dealers, using dud or post-dated cheques to obtain vehicles, transferring them to third parties, converting the proceeds, and using intermediaries to conceal the identities of the principal beneficiaries.

So far, the Command has recovered a 2017 Toyota Highlander, 2010 Toyota RAV4, 2007 Toyota Highlander, two 2016 Toyota Hiace buses, 2020 Toyota Hiace Bus, and a 2018 Ford Edge SUV, while efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining vehicles and arrest all fleeing suspects.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling organised criminal syndicates operating within and beyond Lagos State. He assured residents and vehicle dealers that all genuine complaints would be thoroughly investigated and those involved in criminal activities prosecuted.

He also urged vehicle dealers and business owners to exercise caution before releasing vehicles, particularly where payments are made through post-dated cheques or unfamiliar intermediaries.

CP Tijani Fatai appreciated members of the public for supporting police investigations with credible information and encouraged residents to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Lagos State Police Command’s emergency lines.