The suspects, identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru, were taken into custody following a coordinated investigation into suspected cyber fraud, identity theft, and money laundering activities. Authorities said the case began after intelligence was received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, which flagged suspicious financial movements linked to multiple accounts within Nigeria’s banking system.
According to police findings, the alleged fraud network involved the use of staged online relationships to manipulate victims into sending money under false pretences. Investigators said the Malta-based victim was drawn into an online relationship that gradually transitioned into repeated financial requests, which were then processed through several channels to obscure the origin of the funds.
Detectives allege that a Lagos-based suspect, identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, played a coordinating role in the operation. He was said to have worked with Rokibat Imoru in setting up and managing multiple bank accounts that received payments traced to the scheme. These accounts were reportedly used to receive transfers routed through money transfer platforms before being dispersed across different financial channels.
Police reports indicate that Rokibat controlled several of the accounts used to receive the illicit funds. The investigation further alleges that portions of the money were subsequently transferred to an Ecobank account belonging to her mother, Urowhe Diana. Authorities said the funds moved through this account were later accessed and spent, forming part of the financial trail that investigators relied on to establish links between the suspects and the alleged fraud.
Officials involved in the investigation stated that digital forensic analysis played a central role in connecting financial transactions, communication records, and account ownership details. The forensic review reportedly helped trace how the funds were layered through different accounts in an attempt to conceal their origin. Investigators also said metadata and transaction logs supported the conclusion that both suspects had varying degrees of involvement in the movement of the proceeds.
The police added that Emmanuel Amanfo, who is also described in the investigation as Diana’s husband and Rokibat’s stepfather, remains on the run. Efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend him as part of continued inquiries into the wider network suspected to be behind the operation.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation is still active and may expand as additional financial records and digital evidence are reviewed. They noted that cybercrime cases of this nature often involve multiple actors operating across different locations, with layered financial pathways designed to complicate tracing efforts. As a result, detectives are continuing to examine related accounts and transaction histories to determine the full extent of the alleged scheme.
The Nigeria Police Force stated that the suspects will be formally charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations. Officials also reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police to strengthening cybercrime enforcement and improving the capacity of law enforcement agencies to respond to online financial offences.
In addition, the National Cybercrime Centre urged members of the public to remain cautious when engaging with individuals met through online platforms, particularly in situations involving requests for financial assistance or transfers. The centre also encouraged citizens to report suspicious online interactions and financial activity through its established reporting channels, noting that early reporting can assist in preventing further losses and improving investigative outcomes.
As the case continues, investigators say attention remains focused on recovering additional evidence, identifying other potential collaborators, and determining whether similar schemes may be linked to the same network. The arrested suspects remain in custody pending further legal steps.
