Airport Police romance scam arrest sees 24 year old suspect held over alleged N48.5m fraud at Lagos airport before flight to Asaba

The Airport Police Command arrested a 24 year old suspect, Precious Onudhona, on Monday at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, over an alleged N48.5 million romance scam while attempting to board a flight to Asaba, Delta State.

Also read: Onwumere, Anagor, Abdalkareem jailed for deadly US romance scam

The arrest followed what the command described as actionable intelligence, leading operatives of the Anti Fraud Unit to intercept the suspect within the airport facility.

Confirming the development on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mohammed Adeola, said the arrest formed part of sustained efforts to prevent criminal elements from exploiting the aviation environment.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Mohammed Adeola stated that preliminary investigations linked the suspect to a large scale fraud amounting to N48,500,000, estimated at about 35,000 dollars.

Investigators said the suspect allegedly joined a syndicate in 2023 that specialised in romance related scams, targeting victims through social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram using false identities and deceptive narratives.

According to the police, the suspect posed as “Travis Kevin,” described as a white American medical doctor, to gain the trust of victims before creating a fake banking domain displaying fictitious account balances.

The suspect allegedly used the fabricated platform to solicit funds from victims under the pretext of repaying them within a short period, claiming the money was needed for feeding and medical supplies after sustaining injuries in the line of duty.

Payments were reportedly received through cryptocurrency transactions.

Reacting to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Police Command, Commissioner of Police Ogunbode Olufunke, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the case.

Commissioner of Police Ogunbode Olufunke directed that a thorough investigation be conducted to ensure justice is served and that other members of the alleged syndicate are identified and apprehended.

The commissioner also stressed that the aviation environment remains a sensitive corridor that must not be exploited for unlawful activities.

The police spokesperson added that the suspect would be transferred to the Interpol Section for further investigation and prosecution.

Also read: Nigerian Nationals convicted for orchestrating $560,000 romance scam in the US

The arrest comes weeks after operatives of the command apprehended another suspected internet fraudster, Essien Akpama, aged 20, over an alleged fraud involving foreign victims amounting to about N1.25 billion and several high end electronic devices.