Nigerian police arrest a woman and her daughter over alleged romance scam that defrauded a Malta-based victim of over N18 million
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre have arrested a mother and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.
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The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, following investigations into alleged computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering.
According to the police, the arrests followed intelligence received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, which flagged suspicious financial transactions linked to multiple accounts.
The suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.
Investigators alleged that a Lagos-based suspect, Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, collaborated with the younger suspect to open and operate bank accounts used for fraudulent transactions.
Police said the victim, a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld, was targeted through an online romance scam that led to multiple transfers into Nigerian bank accounts.
The funds were allegedly moved through money transfer operators and direct deposits before being consolidated into an Ecobank account belonging to the mother.
Authorities further stated that forensic analysis of digital evidence linked both suspects to the alleged cybercrime operation.
The police added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect believed to be connected to the network.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting Nigeria’s digital space under ongoing national security efforts.
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Investigations are still in progress, and the suspects are expected to be charged to court upon conclusion of the case.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
