By: Odeh Favour
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old man, Tony Ameachi, over his alleged involvement in a ₦2.5 million fraud scheme involving an online deep freezer transaction.
Operatives of the command also recovered 25 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, 25 mobile phones, and 16 Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards from the suspect at the time of his arrest.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, made this known in a statement issued on Friday, revealing that the investigation into the matter commenced in April 2026.
According to the police, the complainant, who deals in the purchase and resale of deep freezers, had responded to an online advertisement for the sale of the items on April 1, 2026.
Babaseyi said, “Following discussions, she transferred ₦2,500,000 into a bank account bearing the name Abdulmoruf Abdulahi for the purchase of the deep freezers for resale.
The goods were not delivered, and the person with whom she had been dealing subsequently stopped responding to her messages.”
The police spokesperson noted that the complainant subsequently lodged an official complaint to initiate formal police action.
“The matter was formally reported at Igbesa Police Division on 4 April 2026, following which detectives commenced investigation,” Babaseyi stated.
“The investigation yielded a breakthrough in September 2026, when detectives traced Tony Ameachi to the Ojo area of Lagos State, where he was arrested on 22 September 2026,” he added.
“A search conducted during the arrest led to the recovery of 25 ATM cards, 25 mobile phones and 16 SIM cards,” Babaseyi noted.
“Further investigation established that the suspect allegedly obtained utility bills and newly registered SIM cards from associates, who were directed to use them to open various bank accounts. The ATM cards were thereafter collected by the suspect and allegedly used in transactions connected with fraudulent activities,” he explained.
“The recovered devices, ATM cards and SIM cards are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation to establish their relevance to the present case, determine whether they are connected to other similar transactions and identify other persons or possible victims linked to the investigation,” Babaseyi said.
“The suspect, case file and recovered exhibits have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further discreet investigation,” he confirmed.
“Upon conclusion of the investigation, the suspect will be charged to court in accordance with the law,” the PPRO added.
Following the arrest, the police urged members of the public to verify the identities and credibility of sellers before making substantial payments for goods or services, particularly during online transactions.
The command also advised members of the public to retain transaction receipts, account details, telephone numbers, messages, and other relevant records when conducting online transactions.
It further warned against allowing other people to use one’s ATM cards, bank accounts, SIM cards, or personal documents for transactions outside the owner’s control.
The police encouraged members of the public to report suspected fraud promptly, noting that early reporting could assist investigators in tracing suspects and preserving relevant evidence.
