Tony Ameachi, 45, traced to Lagos after complainant allegedly lost ₦2.5m in failed online transaction
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old man, Tony Ameachi, in connection with an alleged ₦2.5 million fraud involving a woman who reportedly paid for deep freezers advertised online but never received the goods.
The arrest, according to the police, followed a months-long investigation that began in April 2026 and culminated in the suspect's arrest in the Ojo area of Lagos State on September 22.
Police said the investigation was triggered by a complaint lodged after the victim allegedly transferred ₦2.5 million for the purchase of deep freezers intended for resale.
According to the account of the incident, the complainant, who is engaged in the purchase and resale of deep freezers, came across an online advertisement for the goods on April 1, 2026. She subsequently contacted the person behind the offer and, following discussions over the proposed transaction, transferred the sum of ₦2.5 million into a bank account bearing the name Abdulmoruf Abdulahi.
However, the deep freezers were reportedly not delivered after payment was made. The person with whom the complainant had been communicating allegedly stopped responding to her messages, prompting her to seek police intervention.
The matter was formally reported at the Igbesa Police Division on April 4, 2026, after which detectives commenced investigation aimed at identifying and tracing the persons connected to the transaction.
Breakthrough After Five Months
The investigation reportedly remained active for several months before detectives made a breakthrough in September.
Police said operatives traced Ameachi to the Ojo area of Lagos State, where he was arrested on September 22.
A search conducted during the arrest allegedly led to the recovery of 25 ATM cards, 25 mobile phones and 16 SIM cards.
The discovery has widened the scope of the investigation, with detectives now examining the recovered items to determine their relevance to the ₦2.5 million complaint and establish whether they may be connected to other transactions.
The police said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect allegedly obtained utility bills and newly registered SIM cards from associates and directed them to use the documents and SIM cards to open various bank accounts.
The ATM cards were subsequently collected by the suspect and allegedly used in transactions suspected to be connected with fraudulent activities, according to the police.
Authorities, however, said the investigation is still ongoing and that the recovered phones, ATM cards and SIM cards are being examined to establish their precise relevance to the case.
The examination is also expected to help investigators determine whether other persons may have been involved and whether there are other victims or similar transactions linked to the suspect.
Case Transferred to SCID
Following his arrest and the recovery of the exhibits, the suspect, case file and recovered items have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta.
The transfer is to facilitate further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged fraud and the wider network that may be connected to the recovered banking and telecommunications materials.
The police said the investigation would also seek to identify other persons who may have participated in the alleged scheme or whose accounts, SIM cards or personal documents may have been used.
Upon completion of the investigation, the police said the suspect would be charged before a court in accordance with the law.
The allegations against Ameachi remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.
Police Warn Public Against Online Transaction Fraud
The Ogun State Police Command has also highlighted several lessons from the case, urging members of the public to exercise greater caution when conducting online transactions.
Police advised prospective buyers to independently verify the identity and credibility of sellers before making substantial payments for goods or services, particularly where the transaction originates from an online advertisement.
Members of the public were also urged to pay attention to the identity of the person receiving payment. Where the name on a bank account differs from the person with whom a buyer is negotiating, the identity and relationship between the parties should be properly established before money is transferred.
The police further advised victims and potential victims of online fraud to preserve transaction receipts, account details, telephone numbers, messages and other relevant records, noting that such information can assist investigators in tracing suspects and establishing the circumstances surrounding a transaction.
Protect Your Banking Details
The case has also prompted renewed warnings against allowing other people to use personal banking and telecommunications materials.
Members of the public were advised not to hand over ATM cards, bank accounts, SIM cards or personal documents to people for transactions they do not personally control.
The police particularly cautioned against indiscriminate sharing of utility bills and other documents that can be used in bank-account registration.
According to the authorities, individuals should also exercise due diligence before responding to online offers, regardless of how attractive or convincing the advertisement may appear.
The investigation into the alleged ₦2.5 million transaction and the recovered exhibits continues at the SCID, Eleweran, as detectives work to determine the full circumstances of the case and establish whether additional persons or victims are connected to it.
