Lagos Police Arrest Fake Customs Officer Over Alleged ₦1.8 Million U.S. Shipment Scam
By The People’s Voice Nigeria News
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man for allegedly impersonating an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and orchestrating a ₦1.8 million shipment scam by falsely claiming he could clear and deliver goods purportedly shipped from the United States.
The suspect allegedly deceived the complainant into paying ₦520,000 as an initial payment for the purported clearing and delivery charges before becoming unreachable.
The arrest followed an investigation into allegations of obtaining money by false pretence, impersonation, and stealing after the victim petitioned the police.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, to intensify investigations to ensure a thorough probe of the case.
The investigation is being handled by the Swift Enquiry Team (SET) under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the SCID, DCP Dayo Akinbisehin.
According to a police source, the case began on July 15, when the suspect contacted the complainant, claiming that goods shipped from the United States had arrived in Nigeria.
To make the claim appear genuine, the suspect allegedly forwarded a shipping label and tracking number before demanding ₦1.8 million as clearing and delivery charges for the consignment.
Believing the representation to be genuine, the complainant agreed to the payment and made an initial transfer of ₦520,000, with the balance expected to be paid upon delivery of the goods.
However, the suspect allegedly became unreachable immediately after receiving the part payment and stopped responding to the complainant’s telephone calls.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect also falsely presented himself as a licensed clearing agent to lend credibility to the alleged scheme.
Police recovered a purported Nigeria Customs Service identity card bearing the suspect’s name, as well as another identification card portraying him as a serving Superintendent of the Nigeria Customs Service with Service Number 34549.
Investigators believe the recovered items were allegedly used to impersonate public officials and facilitate the fraudulent operation.
Police said detectives later lured the suspect into appearing to collect the outstanding balance of the money. He was subsequently arrested at the agreed meeting point after officers laid an ambush.
According to the police, investigations are ongoing to determine whether the suspect used the same method to defraud other victims.
The suspect is expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
