The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old man, Tony Ameachi, over an alleged ₦2.5 million fraud involving a failed online purchase of deep freezers.
Ameachi was arrested on September 22, 2026, in the Ojo area of Lagos State, following months of investigation into a complaint lodged in April.
According to the police, the incident occurred on April 1, when the complainant, a dealer in the purchase and resale of deep freezers, responded to an online advertisement for the products and contacted the person behind the offer.
The complainant subsequently transferred ₦2.5 million into a bank account bearing the name Abdulmoruf Abdulahi after discussions with the seller. However, the deep freezers were allegedly not delivered, while the person she had been communicating with stopped responding to her messages.
The matter was reported at the Igbesa Police Division on April 4, prompting detectives to commence an investigation.
The investigation reportedly led detectives to Ameachi, who was traced to Ojo, where he was arrested.
Police said a search conducted during the arrest led to the recovery of 25 ATM cards, 25 mobile phones and 16 SIM cards.
Further investigation allegedly revealed that the suspect obtained utility bills and newly registered SIM cards from associates, who were instructed to use them to open various bank accounts.
The police said Ameachi subsequently collected the ATM cards and allegedly used them in transactions linked to fraudulent activities.
The recovered ATM cards, mobile phones and SIM cards are being examined as investigators seek to establish their relevance to the deep-freezer transaction and determine whether they are connected to other suspected fraudulent activities.
The investigation is also expected to help police identify other persons and possible victims linked to the case.
The suspect, case file and recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
The police said Ameachi would be charged to court in accordance with the law after the conclusion of the investigation.
The command urged members of the public to verify the identity and credibility of online sellers before making substantial payments.
It also advised buyers to pay particular attention where the name on a receiving bank account differs from the identity of the person they are dealing with.
The police further urged members of the public to preserve transaction receipts, bank details, telephone numbers, messages and other evidence when conducting online transactions.
It advised suspected fraud victims to report cases promptly to give investigators a better opportunity to trace suspects and preserve evidence.
The command also warned members of the public against allowing others to use their ATM cards, bank accounts, SIM cards or personal documents for transactions they do not control.
Police stressed the need for caution when sharing utility bills and other documents that can be used for bank account registration, urging members of the public to independently verify online offers before transferring money.
