A mother and her daughter have been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Police Public Liaison Officer of the NPF-NCCC, Abuja, DSP Unwana Imah.
According to the statement, the suspects are 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.
Police investigations reportedly uncovered that Emmanuel Amanfo, a Lagos resident currently at large and identified as Rokibat’s stepfather, allegedly worked with her to open and operate multiple bank accounts used for fraudulent transactions.
The police further alleged that proceeds from the suspected romance scam were paid through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat.
Investigators said the funds were later transferred into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.
“The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre is currently investigating a case involving computer-related fraud, identity theft and money laundering following an intelligence report received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit,” the statement read.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that one Emmanuel Amanfo, a resident of Lagos State, who is currently at large, allegedly conspired with his 22-year-old stepdaughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru, to open and operate multiple bank accounts for fraudulent activities.
“One of their victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld.
“Further investigations showed that funds were transferred through Money Transfer Operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts, all owned by Rokibat Imoru.
“Upon receipt, the funds were transferred into an Ecobank account belonging to her 39-year-old mother, Urowhe Diana, where the proceeds were allegedly expended.”
The police said forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities eventually led to the arrest of the mother and daughter for their alleged roles in the operation.
The statement added that efforts were ongoing to arrest Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.
According to the police, investigations are still ongoing and the suspects will be charged in court after the probe is concluded.
The NPF-NCCC also reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to combating cybercrime and protecting Nigeria’s cyberspace.
The centre urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official reporting channels.