Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bauchi State have arrested a man in connection with a suspected ₦7 million car sale scam, authorities said, as online fraud schemes involving vehicles continue to proliferate across Nigeria’s digital marketplace.
The suspect, whose identity has been withheld pending formal charges, was taken into custody following a report by a victim who claimed to have been defrauded after attempting to purchase a car advertised online. According to the complainant, he responded to what appeared to be a legitimate offer on a social media platform for a vehicle being sold at a competitive price.
After initial contact with the advertiser, the victim was asked to make several payments — purportedly as deposits and processing fees — before the car could be released. The total amount transferred by the victim to the suspect’s bank account and mobile money wallet was approximately ₦7 million, according to the NSCDC statement.
When the payments were completed, however, the suspect reportedly ceased communication, blocked the victim’s number, and the promised vehicle was neither delivered nor made available for inspection. Alarmed by the sudden disappearance and lack of accountability, the victim approached the NSCDC command in Bauchi to report the matter.
NSCDC investigators traced the suspect through bank records and digital footprints linked to the phone numbers and accounts used in the transaction. They conducted surveillance and ultimately apprehended him at a location in Bauchi metropolis where he was found in possession of documents and electronic devices believed to be connected to the fraudulent scheme.
During the arrest, corollary evidence including mobile phones, SIM cards, bank deposit slips, and receipts were seized to assist in further investigation. Sources within the Corps said that preliminary examinations of the devices revealed multiple transaction histories and conversations consistent with patterns of online advance-fee fraud.
The Bauchi NSCDC command said the suspect will be arraigned on charges that may include fraud, obtaining by false pretences, cybercrime offences and involvement in advance-fee fraud under Nigeria’s Criminal Code and relevant anti-cybercrime legislation. Investigators are also working to determine whether the suspect is part of a broader network targeting buyers with fake vehicle sales and related scams.
NSCDC officials urged members of the public to exercise caution when engaging in online transactions involving significant sums of money, especially vehicle purchases, and encouraged prospective buyers to verify the authenticity of sellers, insist on physical inspections of vehicles, and use traceable payment methods only after due diligence.
Online vehicle scams — where fraudsters advertise non-existent or misrepresented cars at attractive prices — have become increasingly common in Nigeria as digital marketplaces and social networks are widely used for buying and selling vehicles. Scammers typically request partial payments upfront, then disappear once the money changes hands, leaving victims with substantial financial losses and little recourse.
Consumer rights advocates have also called for stronger public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians on how to spot and avoid fraudulent listings, and for law enforcement agencies to enhance cooperation to disrupt networks running such schemes.
Bauchi State residents expressed mixed reactions to the arrest. Some lauded the NSCDC for acting swiftly to apprehend a suspected fraudster, while others noted that many such scams go unreported or unresolved, allowing perpetrators to evade justice and repeat their offences in other states.
The NSCDC’s success in this case reflects growing efforts by security agencies to adopt digital investigation techniques, including tracking financial trails and electronic communication, to combat cyber-enabled crimes that increasingly target unsuspecting Nigerians across the country.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that additional arrests and asset tracing may follow as they work to unravel the full extent of the alleged scam and identify other victims or collaborators.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments