By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the alleged leader of a criminal syndicate accused of defrauding automobile dealers of 29 luxury vehicles worth more than N1 billion across the state.

The suspect, who had reportedly evaded arrest for an extended period, was apprehended following an intelligence-led operation by detectives. Police investigators said information obtained from other members of the syndicate already in custody led to his arrest.

According to police sources, confessional statements made by arrested suspects identified the man as the alleged mastermind of a sophisticated vehicle fraud network that targeted automobile dealers in Lagos and its environs.

Investigations revealed that the syndicate allegedly posed as legitimate buyers and employed fraudulent tactics, including the use of post-dated cheques and intermediaries unfamiliar to dealers, to acquire high-end vehicles before diverting them for personal use and illegal transactions.

A police source urged vehicle dealers and business owners to exercise greater caution when conducting transactions involving luxury automobiles, stressing the need for thorough verification of buyers’ identities and financial credentials, particularly in deals involving post-dated cheques.

Following the arrest, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Fatai Tijani, reportedly directed operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, to intensify efforts to track down and arrest other members of the syndicate who remain at large.

The command has deployed intelligence-driven strategies and leveraged the AUTOREG vehicle tracking platform to trace and recover the stolen vehicles. Police said the technology has significantly aided ongoing efforts to dismantle the criminal network.

So far, 16 of the 29 allegedly stolen vehicles have been located, while 12 have been successfully recovered and returned to their rightful owners.

Authorities disclosed that vehicles valued at about N534 million are still unaccounted for, adding that investigations and recovery operations are continuing.

The matter is currently being handled by the Financial Crimes Section of the SCID, Yaba, under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, DCP Dayo Akinbisehin, as efforts continue to recover the outstanding vehicles and bring all those involved in the alleged fraud scheme to justice.