One Bello Azeez has been arrested in Ondo State for faking his own kidnap, a scheme he used to extort money from his family members and acquaintances.
The incident happened in Ondo State.
It followed Azeez’s request to his father to borrow him N500,000 to repay a debt to which the man declined.
The refusal, according to DSP Olushola Ayanlade, Ondo Police command’s spokesperson, prompted the 29-year-old to start making distress calls to his family and friends claiming he was kidnapped on his way to Ibadan on August 11 while his abductors were demanding N500,000 in ransom.
Ayanlade narrated that the suspect instructed his family to raise N500,000 ransom through family contributions and a GoFundMe account and transferred the money to his personal bank account.
The official account added that the directive was initially complied with.
However, suspicion that he may be up to something, which later arose brought the police into the matter.
The discovery by the police following the tracking of his phone number bore a striking resemblance to the suspicion.
It was found out that the suspect had remained in Owo throughout the alleged abduction.
The culmination was his arrest and interrogation during which he admitted to the crime.
Ayanlade further said that the suspect would be charged to court.
