The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old man over an alleged N2.5 million online fraud and recovered 25 ATM cards, 25 mobile phones and 16 SIM cards from him.
The command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said in a statement that the suspect, Tony Ameachi, was arrested in the Ojo area of Lagos State on 22 September after detectives traced him in connection with a fraud complaint that began with an online advertisement for deep freezers.
|
|
According to the police, the complainant, who buys and resells deep freezers, responded to an online advertisement for the goods on 1 April and contacted the person behind the offer.
After discussions, she transferred N2.5 million into a bank account bearing the name Abdulmoruf Abdulahi for the purchase of the freezers.
|
|
|
|---|
“She transferred N2,500,000 into a bank account bearing the name Abdulmoruf Abdulahi for the purchase of the deep freezers for resale. The goods were not delivered, and the person with whom she had been dealing subsequently stopped responding to her messages,” he said.
However, the police said its subsequent investigation led detectives to Mr Ameachi, whom the police arrested in Ojo in September. It noted that a search conducted during his arrest resulted in the recovery of 25 ATM cards, 25 mobile phones and 16 SIM cards.
“Further investigation established that the suspect allegedly obtained utility bills and newly registered SIM cards from associates, who were directed to use them to open various bank accounts. The ATM cards were thereafter collected by the suspect and allegedly used in transactions connected with fraudulent activities,” the police said.
Stay Ahead with Premium Times
Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting.
Add as a preferred source on Google
The command said the recovered devices, cards and SIM cards were being examined to establish their connection with the present case and determine whether they were linked to other fraudulent transactions or additional victims.
The investigation is also expected to establish the identities of other people who may have participated in the alleged scheme.
READ ALSO: Police arrest OK Movement coordinator during Independence Day march in Uyo
Mr Babaseyi said the case file and the recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State, for further investigation.
He noted that the suspect would be charged in court after the conclusion of the investigation.
Online adverts as gateway for fraud
The case highlights the risks posed by online advertisements that are used to reach potential victims with seemingly legitimate offers.
In the Ogun case, the complainant was looking to buy deep freezers for resale when she encountered the online offer and subsequently transferred millions of naira to the account provided by the seller.
The development is similar to a pattern PREMIUM TIMES documented in its investigation into AI-powered scam advertisements on TikTok, where fraudsters used sponsored adverts placements impersonating established companies and public figures to make fraudulent offers appear legitimate.
Discover more from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
More News
