Nigeria Police return $23,000 recovered from an international romance scam to a Cayman Islands victim after INTERPOL-led investigations

The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja, has successfully returned $23,000 recovered from an international online romance scam to a victim in the Cayman Islands.

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The repatriation followed a formal request by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, which sought assistance in the investigation of Achufusi Obioma Ikenna, a Nigerian national accused of defrauding a Cayman Islands resident through an online romance scheme.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, intelligence-driven investigations by INTERPOL NCB Abuja led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the stolen funds.

After the completion of all required documentation and coordination with international partners, the recovered money was formally handed over to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service through the British High Commission in Abuja for onward transfer to the victim.

Mr Hundeyin said the suspect would be arraigned in court at the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

The successful recovery and repatriation of the funds highlight a decisive step in Nigeria’s efforts to combat transnational cybercrime and reinforce cooperation with global law enforcement agencies.

The case underscores the growing capacity of Nigerian authorities to track, disrupt, and dismantle complex online fraud networks that operate across borders.

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The Nigeria Police Force said the development reflects its sustained commitment to professionalism, accountability, and international collaboration in protecting victims of cyber-enabled crime.