Essential Ndubuisi
The Police Special Fraud Unit in Ikoyi-Lagos has apprehended a 21-year-old lady, Atuonah Chioma, for allegedly defrauding a German citizen of $220,000 in a romance scam.
According to the Police, the suspect, who graduated in Economics from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2019, deceived the 50-year-old German through Instagram by pretending to be romantically interested in him. She claimed to be a model and a proprietor of a Massage Spa known as The-Chi-Place and promised to marry the foreigner.
The suspect, who has been arrested, allegedly convinced the victim to relocate to Nigeria permanently to live together as husband and wife. To allay the victim’s fears, Chioma introduced him to her parents in Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, who gave him their blessing to marry their daughter.
Subsequently, the suspect convinced the victim to sell his house in Stuttgart, Germany, and transfer the proceeds, his pension, and life savings to her domiciliary account in one of the new generation banks. The money was meant for the purchase of a house in Nigeria where they would both live and establish a joint business.
The police spokesperson, Eyitayo Johnson, confirmed Chioma’s arrest, stating that the suspect admitted in her statement that she received $220,000 from the victim, part of which she used to purchase a two-bedroom Terrace apartment at Zara Estate, Ikota Villa, Lekki Phase II. She also sent some funds to support her mother’s business and pay her father’s medical bills.
Efforts are ongoing to recover the rest of the proceeds of the crime, and the unit remains committed to investigating and prosecuting fraudsters who tarnish the country’s image. The suspect will face charges in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
