Police Apprehend Former UNN Student, Friend in Abuja for Romance Scam

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has successfully apprehended two individuals in Abuja on charges of criminal conspiracy, identity theft, and involvement in romance scams.

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, the arrest was carried out in accordance with the directive of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to secure a safer cyber space for Nigerians.

The arrested suspects, residents of Panasonic Estate in Idu, Abuja, have reportedly confessed to engaging in computer-related frauds, primarily associated with romance scams and identity theft.

Substantial evidence gathered from their electronic devices has shed light on their involvement in these unlawful activities.

Notably, one of the suspects, a former student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), claimed to have been involved in the music industry since 2016 and also operates a public relations company. Shockingly, he admitted to participating in fraudulent activities since 2014 through the popular social media platform, Facebook.

The investigation has uncovered compelling evidence that links this former UNN student to a history of fraud and romance scams, extending to the present day.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that the two suspects share a close association, with the second suspect being apprehended in the company of the first. The second suspect initially claimed his visit to the residence of the first suspect was for music recording purposes. However, he eventually confessed to having a unique connection with a 69-year-old white woman, known as Winnie, whom he identified as both a fan and a friend. This connection raised suspicions, especially when evidence of cash exchanges between the suspect and the elderly woman came to light.

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi has reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of citizens by vigorously cracking down on criminal activities, particularly those carried out in the digital realm.

He also issued a warning to the public, urging them to remain vigilant and exercise caution when interacting with individuals online, especially when they have not met them in person. The arrest of these suspects serves as a reminder of the prevalence of online scams and the need for continued vigilance in the digital age.