Police arrest two over romance scam in Abuja
Police arrest two over romance scam in Abuja
The National Cybercrime Centre, Nigeria Police Force, has detained two guys in Abuja in connection with a romance fraud.
Jerry Okoye and Ifeanyi Nwosu were charged with criminal conspiracy and identity theft.
On Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed that proof of the illicit acts was found on the suspects’ electronic devices.
Adejobi emphasized in the report that the NPF will not relent in its “commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our citizens by relentlessly cracking down on criminal activities such as identity theft, romance scams, sextortion and other cyber-related crimes.”
The statement read in sections, “These suspects, namely Jerry Okoye and Ifeanyi Nwosu, both residents of Panasonic Estate in Idu, Abuja, have confessed to their participation in computer-related frauds associated with romance scams and identity theft. Substantial evidence from their electronic devices has shed light on their criminal activities.
“Jerry Okoye, a former student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), claimed to have been in the music industry since 2016 and operates a public relations company. However, he confessed to engaging in fraudulent activities dating back to 2014, primarily through Facebook. The investigation also uncovered compelling evidence, linking him to fraud and romance scams, extending up to the present day.”
“Similarly, Ifeanyi Nwosu, a close associate of Jerry Okoye, who was arrested along with the first suspect, claimed that his visit to the residence was for music recording purposes. However, he admitted to having a unique connection with a 69-year-old white woman known as Winnie, whom he identifies as both a fan and a friend.
“This connection goes beyond casual friendship as evidence indicating a series of cash exchanges between Ifeanyi Nwosu and the elderly woman have come to light,” Adejobi stated.
Adejobi stated that the NPF remains steadfast in its efforts, “We urge members of the public to remain vigilant and cautious when interacting with individuals online, especially those they have not met in person. We call upon all Nigerians and residents to actively collaborate with the Force in securing our cyber-space and protecting our communities from these menaces. Safeguarding Nigeria is a collective responsibility that must not be trivialised.”
