The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a mother and her daughter for their alleged involvement in a cross-border romance scam that defrauded a Malta-based victim of over N18 million, marking another major breakthrough in efforts to curb cyber fraud in Nigeria.
Key Highlights:
- Mother and daughter arrested over alleged N18m romance scam
- Victim based in Malta defrauded through coordinated fraud network
- Funds traced through multiple Nigerian bank accounts
- Money allegedly moved into Ecobank account linked to suspect mother
- Lagos-based alleged accomplice currently on the run
- Police intensify crackdown on computer-related fraud and identity theft
The Acting Police Public Liaison Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Unwana Imah, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Wednesday, naming the suspects as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.
Investigators said the operation also involves a Lagos-based suspect, Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large. He is alleged to have collaborated with Rokibat, his stepdaughter, to open and manage multiple bank accounts used to receive proceeds from fraudulent schemes.
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According to preliminary findings, funds from the romance scam were routed through money transfer operators and deposited into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Imoru. The money was later transferred into an Ecobank account linked to her mother, Urowhe Diana, where it was reportedly spent.
The police stated that forensic analysis of digital evidence helped trace the financial flow and establish links between the suspects and the fraudulent transactions. This led to the arrest of the mother and daughter for their alleged roles in the scam network.
The statement added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who remains on the run. Authorities also confirmed that the suspects will be charged in court upon completion of investigations.
The NPF-NCCC reiterated its commitment to fighting cybercrime, identity theft, and financial fraud under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, stressing that Nigeria’s cyberspace will continue to be monitored for criminal activity.
Members of the public were also urged to report suspicious online transactions and cyber-related activities through official police reporting channels to support ongoing enforcement efforts.
