Police operatives in Ogun have arrested a 45-year-old man identified as Abdulmoruf Abdulahi over an alleged N2.5 million fraud with 25 ATM cards, 25 mobile phones and 16 SIM cards also recovered from him.
The arrest followed an investigation into a case of obtaining money under false pretence, which was reported at Igbesa Police Division on April 4, Ogun police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed in a statement on Friday in Abeokuta.
Babaseyi said his arrest followed a complaint by a dealer in deep freezers who had reportedly transferred N2.5 million to a bank account bearing the name Abdulmoruf Abdulahi on April 1, after responding to an online advertisement for the purchase of the goods for resale.
But the said Abdullahi failed to deliver the goods while he also allegedly stopped responding to her messages.
According to him, police investigation led detectives to the Ojo area of Lagos state, where the suspect was arrested on Sept. 22.
He said a search conducted during the arrest led to the recovery of 25 ATM cards, 25 mobile phones and 16 SIM cards.
He added that further investigation reportedly revealed that the suspect obtained utility bills and newly registered SIM cards from associates, who were allegedly directed to use them to open bank accounts.
He said the ATM cards were subsequently collected by the suspect and allegedly used for transactions linked to fraudulent activities.
Babaseyi said the recovered items were being examined to establish their connection with the case, identify other possible victims and determine whether the suspect was linked to similar offences.
He noted that the suspect, case file and recovered exhibits had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
He added that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Babaseyi advised members of the public to verify the identities and credibility of online sellers before making payments.
He urged residents to protect their personal documents, bank details, ATM cards and SIM cards from unauthorised use.
He also advised victims of suspected online fraud to report such incidents promptly and preserve relevant evidence, including transaction receipts, account details, telephone numbers and messages.