ABUDU-The Commissioner of Police in Edo State CP Johnson Kokumo said his command had arrested a four-man syndicate which specialised in sending fake bank payment alert to unsuspecting motor dealers in order to make them part with their vehicles.
CP Kokumo stated this while briefing journalists at Abudu the administrative headquarters of Orhiomwion local government area of Edo State, last weekend.
He said the suspects had recently approached a car shop at Ekpan in Delta State under the pretence of buying a vehicle.
He added that after agreeing on a price to be paid they assured the car seller that they were going to pay through immediate bank transfer system as one of them fraudulently did the transfer the alert of which was instantly received by the car dealer his mobile phone.
CP Kokumo further explained that the unsuspecting dealer who did not know it was a fake credit alert parted with his Toyota Corolla car as on arrival at the bank he discovered that the whole transaction was a scam.
He noted that a discreet investigation that followed the information received from Delta State Police Command led to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the Toyota Corolla car.
The Police boss gave the names of the suspects as Hon. Samuel Ogie a car dealer, Osayande Osagbe, Omorodion Matthew and Prince Owens Elema.
He however advised members of the public always confirm from their banks the genuineness of credit alert they receive before parting with their property.
“I want to put members of the public on the alert that svammers are everywhere.
“It is possible to receive credit alert when in actual fact nothing has been transferred into your account.” CP Kokumo stated.
Also, the police recovered a truck loaded with 38 tons of iron rods reportrdly snatched from its driver at gun point by three armed men along Benin-Asaba expressway by Evbobanosa village in Orhionmwion local government area of Edo State.
The truck was recovered along Sapele road in Benin City while 30 tons of the iron rods were recovered Amagba Community.
Three suspects who claimed to be labourers were arrested and paraded by the CP at Abudu police division, last weekend.
