Police arrest mother, daughter over alleged N18m Malta-based romance scam

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

The arrests followed investigations into allegations of computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering, triggered by intelligence received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), according to the police.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Preliminary investigations reportedly linked both suspects to a coordinated cyber fraud network, alongside a Lagos-based suspect identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large.

Police investigators alleged that Amanfo collaborated with Rokibat Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in receiving proceeds from the scam.

One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta, whose identity has been withheld for security reasons.

According to the statement, funds obtained through the romance scam were allegedly transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Imoru.

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The police further disclosed that the illicit proceeds were later moved into an Ecobank account belonging to Urowhe Diana, where the funds were allegedly accessed and spent.

Forensic digital analysis, according to investigators, reportedly established a link between the suspects and the cybercrime operation, leading to their arrest.

The statement added that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Imoru.

Police assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to strengthening the fight against cybercrime and securing Nigeria’s digital space.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious online activities through its official reporting channels, as part of efforts to curb cyber-related fraud in the country.