A sophisticated payment fraud scheme has collapsed after police operatives intercepted a luxury vehicle allegedly acquired with a counterfeit bank transfer alert, exposing a growing trend in high-value scams.
Following actionable intelligence, officers tracked and arrested three men believed to be central to the transaction, recovering a white Mercedes-Benz GLE said to be worth N75 million.
Police identified the suspects as Ibrahim Tijjani, Jamilu Auwal and Mohammed Nura Dauda. Their arrest came after a tip-off led operatives to Kabuga Quarters, Kano, where the vehicle was traced and seized.
Investigators said the suspects allegedly posed as genuine buyers and used a fake transfer notification to secure the SUV from a seller in Abuja.
Moreover, authorities disclosed that the fraudulent alert was allegedly generated by another individual, Ibrahim Yahaya, who remains on the run.
Confirming the operation, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said the arrests reflected a renewed push to dismantle financial crime networks through intelligence-led strategies.
“This case shows that criminal ingenuity will not outpace coordinated policing,” Bakori said. “Once credible intelligence is received, we move decisively to protect citizens and their assets.”
Furthermore, the police chief praised the Special Intervention Squad for its swift coordination, adding that the recovered vehicle had been transferred to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command to deepen investigations and trace wider links.
Bakori also called on residents to stay alert, warning that fraudsters increasingly target luxury goods dealers and private sellers.
“Public cooperation remains critical,” he said. “Suspicious transactions or unusual payment claims should be reported immediately before losses occur.”
Meanwhile, police assured residents that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspect and uncover any additional accomplices.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to safeguarding lives, property and commercial transactions across Kano State, noting that financial crimes will be pursued relentlessly.