Lagos Police Arrest 31-Year-Old Woman Over Alleged N105m Rental, Rice Supply Fraud in Ajah

Lagos Police Arrest 31-Year-Old Woman Over Alleged N105m Rental, Rice Supply Fraud in Ajah

The Lagos State Police Command, SCID , Panti, has arrested a 31-year-old woman, Achumba Jennifer, for allegedly defrauding house seekers and a neighbour of a combined N105 million in separate rental and commodity scams in the Ajah area of Lagos.

The suspect was apprehended over her alleged involvement in a rental fraud estimated at N35 million, involving no fewer than 13 prospective tenants. She allegedly posed as the owner of a four-bedroom duplex located at 10 Charles Onyebe Street, Divine Homes, Thomas Estate, Ajah, and collected payments from unsuspecting accommodation seekers.

According to victims, the suspect received varying sums of money from individuals who believed they were securing rental units in the property. The payments were reportedly made into her bank account within a two-week period.

Trouble began when there was a prolonged delay in handing over keys to the apartments. The situation escalated after multiple individuals arrived at the property, each claiming to have paid for the same apartment. It was then discovered that several victims had been allocated the same residence.

One of the complainants disclosed that the scale of the fraud only became clear after more victims surfaced.

“When the matter got to the police, we did not know the victims were up to 13 until more people came forward with proof of payment. As of now, the number may have risen to 15, and more could still come forward,” the victim said.

The suspect is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, where she is undergoing investigation and interrogation.

In a related development, Jennifer was also accused of defrauding her immediate neighbour of over N70 million after allegedly claiming she had connections to a supplier in Northern Nigeria who could provide parboiled rice at a discounted rate. The transaction was said to have turned out to be fraudulent.

Police sources said the alleged offences include conspiracy, advance fee fraud, impersonation, and breach of trust, leading to significant financial losses for the victims.

The suspect reportedly confessed to the crimes and attributed her actions to financial hardship following her separation from her husband, stating that she needed money to care for her sick child. She pleaded for release, promising to raise funds to refund the victims.

Confirming the development, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, Mr. Dayo Akinbisehin, said investigations are ongoing and assured that the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of the probe.