Romance Scam Exposed: Four Arrested in Nigeria for Blackmailing Croatian National

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) has arrested four suspects involved in an alleged sextortion and romance scam. The suspects, identified as Abodunrin Rasheed, Abodunrin Tunde, and Abodunrin Rokeeb, were taken into custody following an intelligence report and an official complaint submitted through the NPF-NCCC’s e-reporting portal.

According to a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the suspects lured a Croatian national into a deceptive online relationship. Initially, the victim was approached on a dating app by the suspects, who posed as a woman. The conversations gradually shifted to Instagram and WhatsApp, where the relationship became more intimate.

The suspects persuaded the victim to share explicit photos, later using the images to blackmail him. They demanded a ransom, threatening to release the compromising pictures to his family and friends if payment was not made.

Adejobi revealed that a thorough investigation by the NPF-NCCC led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of several incriminating items, including six iPhones, a Techno phone, a Samsung phone, and a Lexus car. The investigation also uncovered evidence of previous cybercrimes involving global victims, with the suspects receiving payments through platforms like iTunes and Steam gift cards.

The suspects will face charges in court once the investigation is concluded. Authorities continue to warn individuals about the dangers of online scams, urging the public to remain vigilant against cybercriminals.