Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested seven suspected members of two fraud syndicates accused of targeting successful traders and business operators across major Lagos markets.
Police said the suspects, who described themselves as "local 419," used fake business transactions, bogus investment opportunities and confidence tricks to defraud victims, studying targets and the commodities they traded before approaching them with seemingly lucrative deals.
Investigators recovered a list containing the names and details of more than 125 business operators across markets including Oshodi, Arena, Idumota, Alaba International and Trade Fair, allegedly compiled by one of the gangs as potential targets.
In one case, police said a tyre merchant was lured to the Aiyetoro-Itele area of Ogun State, where he was held captive until about N24 million was paid as ransom for his release.
The syndicates were uncovered after one of the gangs attempted to lure a cloth seller to the Ayobo area of Lagos, leading to the arrest of three suspects; the remaining four were subsequently apprehended.
One suspect, 61-year-old Patrick Nwankwo of Imo State, told investigators he joined the syndicate after his second-hand clothing business collapsed, working as a "caller" who identified and approached potential victims.
Lagos police spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi said the arrests reflect the command's ongoing effort, under Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani, to make the state difficult for criminal networks to operate in. Investigations are continuing to identify other members of the syndicates.
