Lagos Police Arrest Seven in Major Fraud Syndicate Bust

Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Lagos State Police Command, led by CSP Sunday Cirman, arrested seven suspected members of two fraud syndicates that targeted traders in Lagos. The police uncovered a list of over 125 business operators marked as potential victims.

The syndicates operated in busy commercial areas, employing confidence tricks to defraud traders. Some members allegedly escalated their crimes to kidnapping, demanding ransoms for release.

One victim, a tyre merchant, was reportedly abducted and held until a ransom of approximately N24 million was paid for his release. The police's investigation was prompted by the abduction of a cloth seller in Ayobo.

One suspect, 61-year-old Patrick Nwankwo, described his transition into fraud after his second-hand clothing business failed, stating he became a "caller" for the syndicate, identifying and contacting potential victims with false business opportunities.