Lagos Gadget Seller Arrested Over Alleged ₦500 Million iPhone Fraud

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have taken into custody a 35-year-old woman, identified as Modupeola Bamisade, over her alleged involvement in a large-scale online gadget fraud estimated at over ₦500 million.

Investigations revealed that the suspect reportedly operated as an online gadget vendor, focusing mainly on Apple products such as iPhones, iPads, and related accessories. According to police findings, she attracted buyers by advertising these items at highly reduced prices, sometimes offering discounts of up to 50 percent, a strategy that convinced many unsuspecting individuals to patronize her business.

Sources within the police command disclosed that the suspect leveraged the influence of popular social media personalities to promote her sales campaigns. These influencers shared promotional content on their platforms, which helped her reach a wide audience across different parts of the country. Many customers reportedly made payments after seeing the endorsements, believing the offers were genuine.

However, after payments were made, the promised gadgets were allegedly never delivered. Victims were said to have received repeated excuses ranging from shipping delays to logistical issues. In some instances, the suspect allegedly staged fake delivery attempts, including calls from individuals posing as dispatch riders, only for no delivery to occur.

A police source explained that the suspect had been running the operation for an extended period and had reportedly defrauded more than 100 individuals. During questioning, she allegedly admitted to using influencers as a major channel to reach potential buyers and convince them to trust her offers.

Her arrest reportedly followed a formal complaint by one of the influencers who began to notice repeated customer complaints regarding undelivered products. Growing suspicion led the influencer to alert law enforcement authorities, which triggered an investigation and subsequent arrest.

Following the arrest, several alleged victims reportedly visited the police command to identify the suspect. One complainant narrated how she transferred ₦1 million for an iPhone after being assured it was available. She claimed that after payment, the suspect confirmed the phone had arrived and would be delivered shortly, but continued to give conflicting explanations over time.

Law enforcement officials have reiterated that online fraud involving electronics often thrives on unrealistically low prices. They emphasized that buyers should be cautious and verify sellers thoroughly before making payments, especially when transactions involve large sums.

Security agencies have repeatedly warned Nigerians about the rise in digital scams, including fraudulent online sales, fake investment platforms, and impersonation schemes. Similar warnings were previously issued by the Ogun State Police Command concerning the growing sophistication of internet-related fraud activities.