EFCC raids automobile shop, seizes 29 cars

 

The Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday seized 29 exotic cars during a raid on the office of a Lagos-based car dealer, Astrax Auto Shop.

The raid followed intelligence report received by the commission on the activities of the operators of the auto shop, who were alleged to be a syndicate of organized internet fraudsters.

The commission’s acting spokesperson, Tony Orilade, in a statement, said investigation into the activities of the syndicate, which specialized in Business Emails Compromise, (BEC) in the United States of America (USA) showed that they usually moved proceeds of their alleged illicit business to a nominated bank account owned by their moles in the U.S.

He said the syndicate members allegedly launder the proceeds through money order, which they used to purchase cars in American auctions and ship same to Nigeria for sale.

The EFCC had earlier arrested one of the syndicate members, Olusegun Michael Adeyemi.

In his statement to the EFCC, Adeyemi said one Tayo Onilogbo Yusuf is the Managing Director of Astrax Autos and Automobile.

The cars recovered by the EFCC include: Toyota Corolla (4); Toyota Camry (7); Toyota Highlander (2); Toyota Venza (2); Range Rover (2); Ford SUV (1); Mercedes Benz (3); Toyota 4runner (1); Toyota Sienna (1); Honda Accord (4); Toyota Sequoia (1) and Kia (1).

The Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday seized 29 exotic cars during a raid on the office of a Lagos-based car dealer, Astrax Auto Shop.

The raid followed intelligence report received by the commission on the activities of the operators of the auto shop, who were alleged to be a syndicate of organized internet fraudsters.

The commission’s acting spokesperson, Tony Orilade, in a statement, said investigation into the activities of the syndicate, which specialized in Business Emails Compromise, (BEC) in the United States of America (USA) showed that they usually moved proceeds of their alleged illicit business to a nominated bank account owned by their moles in the U.S.

He said the syndicate members allegedly launder the proceeds through money order, which they used to purchase cars in American auctions and ship same to Nigeria for sale.

The EFCC had earlier arrested one of the syndicate members, Olusegun Michael Adeyemi.

In his statement to the EFCC, Adeyemi said one Tayo Onilogbo Yusuf is the Managing Director of Astrax Autos and Automobile.

The cars recovered by the EFCC include: Toyota Corolla (4); Toyota Camry (7); Toyota Highlander (2); Toyota Venza (2); Range Rover (2); Ford SUV (1); Mercedes Benz (3); Toyota 4runner (1); Toyota Sienna (1); Honda Accord (4); Toyota Sequoia (1) and Kia (1).