Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, working with the Special Squad, have smashed two syndicates of suspected fraudsters who allegedly targeted successful traders and business owners in major markets across Lagos.
Seven suspects were arrested in the operations, with investigators uncovering a list containing the names of more than 125 business operators allegedly marked out as potential victims by one of the syndicates.
The suspects reportedly targeted traders at popular markets including Oshodi, Arena, Idumota, Alaba and Trade Fair, using elaborate schemes involving fake commodity deals, dollar-washing and purported foreign business opportunities.
Police sources said members of one of the syndicates allegedly lured a tyre dealer to the Itele-Ayetoro area of Ogun State, where he was held captive until about N24 million was paid before his release.
The syndicate’s activities reportedly came under police scrutiny after members lured a cloth seller to the Ayobo area of Lagos, where operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit swooped on them and arrested three members.
The suspects, who described themselves as “local 419”, allegedly admitted exploiting victims’ desire to make quick money.
One of them, 61-year-old Patrick Nwankwo from Imo State, said he joined the syndicate after his second-hand clothing business collapsed.
Nwankwo, who operated at the Katangowa market, said he started as a “caller” whose job was to identify and approach potential victims.
He explained that the syndicate would identify businessmen and tell them that a customer urgently needed a large quantity of a particular commodity, often bicycle spare parts.
According to him, after the victims supplied the goods to a purported receiver, members of the syndicate would disappear with the goods.
“Our base is in Ogun State, but we target businessmen at popular markets, including Oshodi, Arena, Idumota, Alaba and Trade Fair. We already have our targets and know what they sell,” he said.
Asked how the gang convinced victims, Nwankwo said they took advantage of people eager to become wealthy quickly.
“We don’t pray for gullible people to finish. Gullible people cannot finish in Nigeria. They want to get very rich quick and we take advantage of that,” he said.
Another suspect, 60-year-old Emeka Obi, said he had previously operated a drug store before he was allegedly defrauded by another gang.
Obi said he later joined the same people who defrauded him and eventually became involved in fraud.
He claimed that he now allowed members of the syndicate to use his office for their operations and received 10 per cent of whatever they obtained from victims.
Forty-seven-year-old Charles Okeke, who hails from Imo State and previously made shoes in Aba, Abia State, said he joined the criminal trade after being stranded in Ghana following a failed attempt to travel abroad.
Okeke said he later met other Nigerians involved in fraud and joined them in deceiving victims under the guise of “washing money”.
Another suspect, 53-year-old Emmanuel Ekenta from Awka, Anambra State, said he had been a successful businessman exporting plates to Ghana before he was allegedly defrauded at the Togo border in 2006.
He said his experience eventually led him into the same criminal trade.
Ekenta explained that the syndicate operated through different roles, including a “catcher” and a “sitter”.
According to him, the catcher would pose as a sailor or foreigner who had just arrived in Lagos with goods for sale and convince prospective victims that they could make huge profits from selling the goods.
He said the victim would then be taken to the syndicate’s base under the guise of being shown where the goods were kept.
“Instead, we introduce them to dollar-washing business. We tell them that we have dollars but need chemicals to wash them. They will be asked to pay for the chemical. That is how we collect money from them,” he said.
Ekenta added that the “sitter” would remain at the base and corroborate the story told by the catcher, sometimes posing as the younger brother of a customs officer who purportedly cleared the goods.
Forty-six-year-old Uchenna Paul, a former foodstuff seller, also claimed that he joined the group after allegedly being defrauded of his master’s money while on an assignment to Lagos to purchase stockfish.
The Nigeria Police Force spokesperson, CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu, confirmed the breakthrough, saying the operation was carried out on the directive of the 23rd Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The IGP had directed the operatives to move against the syndicates before their activities escalated, stressing that crime knows no boundaries.
Disu also warned that criminals would not be allowed to undermine Nigeria’s business environment, assuring that the police would continue to take decisive action to protect legitimate businesses and ensure a safe environment for economic activities.
