A Nigerian-American is detained by the EFCC for N434 million in car import fraud.

A Nigerian-American has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on suspicion of committing a cross-border automobile import fraud of over $320,000 (about ₦434.88 million).

Adegoke Oluwatobi Adams, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, is being investigated for alleged criminal breach of trust and collecting money under false pretences, according to a statement posted on the Commission’s X page on Friday.

Adegoke Oluwatobi Adams, a Nigerian-American, has been detained by agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Directorate, for allegedly committing a cross-border automobile import fraud involving over $320,000 (about ₦434.88 million), according to the announcement.

According to the EFCC, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is purportedly a member of an American ring that defrauds Nigerians by pretending to import cars.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspect is allegedly a member of a US-based ring that specialises in scamming gullible Nigerians by pretending to buy and import cars for them.

According to the Commission, Adams allegedly promised to acquire and send a 2024 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG to Nigerian purchasers while he was overseas.

According to the statement, “investigations further revealed that, while residing in the United States, Adams allegedly advertised and circulated photographs of a 2024 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG to prospective buyers in Nigeria, promising to purchase and ship the luxury vehicle to them.”

It claimed that two victims paid a total of $320,000 for the car, with one victim allegedly paying $145,000 through a middleman and the other $175,000.

According to the findings, “two victims allegedly paid a total sum of $320,000 (over ₦434.88 million) for the vehicle.”

The EFCC further revealed that the suspect had a past criminal history in the US connected to the purported unlawful purchase of automobiles.

The commission further stated that Adams was detained by Ilorin Zonal Directorate agents upon his return to Nigeria and will be charged following the completion of investigations.