POLICE ARREST MOTHER, DAUGHTER OVER ALLEGED N18M ROMANCE SCAM

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) have arrested a mother and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The Acting Police Public Liaison Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Unwana Imah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to the statement, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

The police said preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident, Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large and identified as Rokibat’s stepfather, allegedly conspired with her to open and operate multiple bank accounts used for fraudulent transactions.

Investigators alleged that proceeds from the romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Imoru.

The statement further disclosed that the funds were later moved 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.

It added that one of the victims was a resident of Malta whose identity was withheld.

According to the police, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital footprints led to the arrest of the mother and daughter over their alleged active involvement in the cybercrime operation.

The NPF-NCCC said efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

The police noted that investigations were still ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court upon completion of the probe.

The centre also reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to combating cybercrime and safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace.

The agency urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official reporting channels.