Police Bust N400m Fraud Ring: Fake Cheques, Celebrity Impersonation Uncovered
Police Bust N400m Fraud Ring: Fake Cheques, Celebrity Impersonation Uncovered
Operatives of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, have arrested three suspects allegedly involved in forging international bank cheques and impersonating foreign celebrities.
The suspects—Innocent Odumosor (27), Ajie Samuel Chukwudi (31) and Godwin Divine (19)—were apprehended at their residences following an intelligence report. According to the police, the trio operated as part of a syndicate with members based abroad.
Investigations revealed that the alleged ringleader, Odumosor, lived in a luxury four-bedroom apartment at Ocean Freeze Estate, Ologoro, Ikate, while Ajie resided at Star Times Estate, Ago Palace Way, Okota.
Odumosor and Ajie reportedly confessed to defrauding victims of over N400 million in the past four years, with their fraudulent activities including tampering with foreign bank software and cloning sensitive financial details.
During police interrogation, Odumosor detailed how they purchased tools from various websites to manipulate banking systems.
“It works with the software of different foreign banks. We clone cashier cheques and contact other members of the syndicate overseas to source for foreign accounts where they can log in the cheques. The victim unknowingly cashes the cheque and sends it to the account our syndicate will provide. The victims are randomly chosen and engaged in long chats before we strike.”
The suspects primarily targeted U.S. banks, with one of their latest fraudulent transactions involving a $350,000 Bank of America cheque, from which Odumosor allegedly received N230 million. He used part of the proceeds to purchase a Mercedes GLE worth N120 million.
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Police investigations also revealed that after their last operation on March 28, 2024, Odumosor bought a Mercedes 223 GLE valued at N250 million, while Ajie purchased a Mercedes GLE 221 worth N150 million. The third suspect’s share remains frozen in his Nigerian bank account.
Ajie, who holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, admitted to receiving $50,000 as his share of the fraudulent proceeds.
Authorities are now working with Interpol to track down other members of the syndicate operating abroad. The suspects’ international passports have been confiscated, and banks linked to their operations are under scrutiny for possible internal collusion.
Confirming the arrests, AIG Zone 2 Adegoke Fayoade stated that investigations were still ongoing, with efforts being made to apprehend all individuals involved in the fraudulent scheme.
