The Zone 7 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police in Abuja has successfully apprehended a suspected fraudulent car dealer and recovered $7,000 (equivalent to approximately N10.5 million at current exchange rates) in connection with the alleged scam. The arrest follows a petition filed by a complainant who reported a fraudulent sales transaction involving a defective Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.

Police have arrested a suspect and recovered $7,000 over alleged fraudulent sale of a defective Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon vehicle in Abuja.

According to the Zone’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Halima Mohammed, the incident was reported to the zone on June 19, via a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of the zone over a fraudulent sales transaction at Ilado Car Stand in Lokogoma area of Abuja, orchestrated by the suspect.

“The complainant reported that she saw a Facebook advertisement on June 10 for a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon offered for sale at N32 million, equivalent to $20,000,” she said

Mohammed added that the complainant had contacted the seller, now the suspect, and proceeded to inspect the vehicle at the designated car stand.

“Upon inspection, she was told that the only fault with the car was its power steering system, which would be fixed within one week.

“Based on this assurance, the complainant paid a deposit of $7,000 with a mutual understanding that the money paid will be returned if she chose not to proceed with the purchase.

“Upon conducting a follow-up inspection with a certified Mercedes-Benz mechanic, significant electrical and mechanical defects were discovered beyond the initially stated issue.

“When she requested for refund, the suspect insisted that no refund would be made unless the car was sold to another buyer,” she narrated.

Mohammed said the suspect had also, refused to provide a clear timeline for the payment, thereby suspecting a fraudulent act.

Upon the receipt of the petition, police detectives from the zone, led by CSP Akinlabi Ogundile took swift action.

She said the suspect, who was therefore, invited for questioning confessed to the crime during investigation and the sum of $7,000 was recovered from him.

Efforts are currently underway to apprehend an accomplice who is still at large. This significant recovery underscores the police’s commitment to combating fraud and protecting citizens from unscrupulous dealers.