A car sale gone wrong has landed a suspect in police custody, after detectives at Zone 7 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force arrested him for allegedly defrauding a buyer in a luxury vehicle transaction involving a faulty Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.
According to a statement released on Wednesday, July 2, by the Zone’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Halima Mohammed, the suspect allegedly orchestrated the fraudulent sale at Ilado Car Stand located in Lokogoma, Abuja.
The matter was formally brought to the attention of the Assistant Inspector General of Police through a petition submitted on June 19. In the petition, the complainant — a woman whose identity was withheld — said she came across a Facebook advertisement on June 10 promoting a 2014 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon priced at ₦32 million (approximately $20,000).
Excited by the offer, she contacted the seller and arranged to inspect the vehicle at the car lot. During that visit, she was told the only defect was a minor issue with the power steering, which the dealer promised would be fixed within one week. Based on this assurance, the buyer agreed to pay a $7,000 deposit, with a mutual understanding that the funds would be refunded if she later chose not to complete the purchase.
But things quickly unraveled.
A second inspection — this time with a certified Mercedes-Benz technician — revealed a laundry list of electrical and mechanical problems far more severe than initially disclosed. When the buyer demanded a refund, the seller refused, insisting that the money would only be returned after the vehicle was sold to someone else — without offering a timeline or certainty.
Sensing foul play, the buyer escalated the issue to the police.
Officers, led by CSP Akinlabi Ogundile, swung into action. The suspect was invited for questioning and reportedly confessed to the fraudulent transaction during the investigation. The police successfully recovered the $7,000 deposit from him. Authorities say efforts are ongoing to apprehend an accomplice who is currently on the run.
ASP Halima Mohammed emphasized that the case serves as a warning to others who may be involved in shady car deals, particularly those leveraging social media platforms to lure unsuspecting buyers. “The Nigeria Police will continue to protect the rights of citizens and ensure justice is served,” she said.
For many, the incident is a stark reminder: in the luxury car market, trust but verify — and always bring a qualified mechanic.
