The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has arrested a mother and her daughter for allegedly defrauding a Malta-based victim of more than N18m through a romance scam.
The Acting Police Public Liaison Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Unwana Imah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.
The police said investigations revealed that a Lagos resident, Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently on the run and identified as Rokibat’s stepfather, allegedly collaborated with her to open and operate several bank accounts used for fraudulent transactions.
The statement noted that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into multiple Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat.
Investigators further alleged that the funds were later transferred into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.
“The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre is currently investigating a case involving computer-related fraud, identity theft and money laundering following intelligence received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit,” the statement read.
It added that one of the victims was a Malta resident whose identity was withheld.
According to the police, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities led to the arrest of the mother and daughter over their alleged involvement in the fraud scheme.
The statement also said efforts were ongoing to apprehend Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.
The police noted that investigations were still in progress and that the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of the probe.
The NPF-NCCC reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to tackling cybercrime and safeguarding the nation’s cyberspace.
The centre also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official reporting channels.
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