Police arrest mother, daughter over alleged N18m romance scam
Police Arrest Mother and Daughter in Alleged Romance Scam
Operatives from the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) have arrested a woman and her daughter in connection with a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than 18 million naira.
The arrests followed investigations prompted by intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), which indicated possible involvement in computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering.
According to a statement from Acting Police Public Relations Officer DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects have been identified as Urowhe Diana, 39, and her daughter Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru, 22.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a Lagos resident, Emmanuel Amanfo, who remains at large, worked with Imoru to open and manage multiple bank accounts used for fraudulent transactions.
The police report included information about one victim, a resident of Malta, whose identity has not been disclosed.
Authorities allege that proceeds from the scam were channeled through various money transfer operators and deposited into several Nigerian bank accounts held by Imoru. Investigators claim these funds were later transferred to an Ecobank account registered in Urowhe Diana’s name, where the money was reportedly spent.
Digital forensic analysis has linked both mother and daughter to the criminal operation, leading to their arrests. The police are actively seeking Amanfo, described as Urowhe Diana’s husband and Rokibat Imoru’s stepfather.
The investigation is ongoing, and both suspects are expected to be charged in court upon its conclusion.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu to protecting the country’s cyberspace and combating cybercrime. The NPF-NCCC has encouraged the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online portal and designated communication channels.
