Nigerian Police Arrest Fraudster for Defrauding 67-Year-Old American Woman of $597,000

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a 27-year-old suspect, Rabiu Aliyu Salisu, also known as Rabo, for alleged identity theft, computer-related fraud, and money laundering amounting to $597,000. The suspect, who hails from Kogi State, was apprehended following an investigation into online romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals.

Parading the suspect in Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that Salisu assumed the identity of an American citizen named Matthew Ramsey to defraud victims, including 67-year-old Deborah Woods from the United States. Salisu reportedly confessed to receiving a share of $200,000 from the fraudulent activities, which he used to acquire a three-bedroom terrace house worth ₦65 million. A search of his residence led to the recovery of multiple electronic devices used in the scam and eight BMW vehicles suspected to be proceeds of crime.

In a related development, the police also apprehended key members of an international fraud syndicate involved in a $4 million scam targeting global oil trading firms. The syndicate, allegedly operated by Marine Gold Oil Refineries Limited, Eagle Capital Management, and Richrice International Corporation, orchestrated fraudulent schemes across Nigeria, China, and the United States.

Among those arrested was David Emmanuel Udensik, also known as Dr. Jacob Bello, a Nigerian national accused of fabricating intelligence reports and forging documents from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to defraud oil traders of $610,000. Following a year-long investigation, police also arrested Engr. Isaac Jerome Oyakhilome, the managing director of Marine Gold Oil Refineries Limited and a director at Richrice International Corporation. Oyakhilome allegedly signed fraudulent crude oil sales agreements, facilitating a scam that netted $1,151,495 for his company, which reportedly lacks a physical address.

During the operation, police recovered ₦55 million in cash (approximately $33,428), assets worth ₦370 million, multiple electronic devices, and a Toyota Camry. The suspects have reportedly confessed to their roles in the fraudulent activities.

The police disclosed that 32 suspects were arrested in January 2025 by the NPF-NCCC, while an additional 52 arrests were made by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Lagos, bringing the total number of suspects detained to 84. ACP Adejobi attributed the success of these operations to the commitment of Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun in restoring Nigeria’s reputation and ensuring the country is removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List.