Crime

How an Ondo Man, Fake Kidnapping to Scam Family Out of ₦500,000

Published by Tope Fakinlede on August 17th, 2025.

How an Ondo Man, Fake Kidnapping to Scam Family Out of ₦500,000

Police in Ondo State have apprehended a 29-year-old man, Bello Azeez, for orchestrating a bogus kidnapping plot aimed at extorting ₦500,000 from his relatives.

Azeez, who hails from Ipele in the Owo Local Government Area, allegedly devised the plan after his father declined his request for financial assistance to clear some personal debts.

Fabricated Kidnap Plot

Investigations revealed that on August 11, 2025, Azeez told his family he was heading to Ibadan. Instead, he remained in Owo and began contacting family members with frantic messages, claiming he had been abducted and that his captors were demanding a ₦500,000 ransom for his release.

Worried by the alarming news, his relatives quickly mobilized to raise the amount. In their desperation, they even set up a crowdfunding campaign, eventually transferring the full amount — not to any supposed kidnapper — but directly to Azeez’s own bank account.

Red Flags and Police Action

Doubt began to creep in when the family noticed the ransom was to be paid into the “victim’s” personal account — a detail inconsistent with genuine kidnapping incidents. Suspicious, they notified law enforcement.

Acting on intelligence, detectives tracked the phone number used in the ransom negotiations. Their findings confirmed that Azeez had never left Owo. He was swiftly arrested and confessed to fabricating the kidnapping.

Police Response

Confirming the arrest, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, noted that Azeez would face charges once investigations wrap up.

In a statement, the police condemned the act, describing it as a product of greed and poor judgment. “This case underscores how the desire for quick money can drive people to commit criminal acts. We advise families to stay vigilant and guide their loved ones away from criminal influences,” the statement read.

The police, under the leadership of CP Adebowale Lawal, reiterated their dedication to proactive, intelligence-based policing and the safety of all residents across Ondo State.