The Airport Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old man over his alleged involvement in a large-scale romance fraud valued at about N48.5 million, approximately $35,000.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Adeola, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos, stating that the suspect was arrested on Monday while attempting to board a flight to Asaba.
According to Adeola, the arrest was carried out by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Fraud Unit acting on credible intelligence.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect became a member of an organised fraud syndicate in 2023, which specialised in romance scams targeting unsuspecting victims through social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.
The police alleged that the suspect operated using the alias “Travis Kevin,” under which he posed as a white American medical doctor to gain the trust of his victims.
As part of the scheme, he was said to have created a fake online banking platform displaying fictitious account balances to further convince victims of his credibility and financial capacity.
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Investigators also alleged that the suspect solicited money from victims by claiming he urgently needed funds for feeding and medical supplies after purportedly sustaining injuries in the line of duty.
Victims were reportedly assured that the money would be refunded once he regained access to his accounts.
Adeola added that the funds were allegedly requested and transferred through cryptocurrency channels, making the transactions more difficult to trace.
He further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Mrs Olufunke Ogunbode, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the case and directed operatives to intensify efforts to track down and arrest other members of the syndicate.
“The Commissioner reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance for criminal activities within the aviation environment, stressing that airports are critical national assets that must not be exploited for illegal operations,” Adeola said.
He added that the suspect would be handed over to the Interpol unit for further investigation and prosecution as part of efforts to dismantle the wider criminal network.