Airport Police Arrest Suspect in Alleged N1.25 Billion Internet Fraud,

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Airport Police Command, have apprehended a 20-year-old man suspected of defrauding foreign nationals, primarily in the United States, of approximately N1.25 billion and several high-value electronic items.

The suspect, identified as Essien Akpama, was arrested on January 5, 2026, while attempting to board a flight out of Lagos.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer for the Command, ASP Mohammed Adeola, the arrest followed months of intelligence-led surveillance by the Anti-Fraud Unit. Adeola stated that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat transnational crime and prevent criminals from using airports as escape routes.

Investigations indicate that Akpama, previously residing in Calabar, relocated to Lagos in February 2024, where he allegedly coordinated multiple fraudulent schemes targeting victims abroad.

In one major case from 2024, police allege that the suspect used a celebrity impersonation and romance scam to deceive a 47-year-old American woman into transferring $1 million, purportedly for purchasing property in Florida for an orphanage. The transaction was reportedly facilitated through a cryptocurrency scheme.

Police also claim that Akpama defrauded a 70-year-old American woman of $18,000 through gift cards and electronic goods shipped to Nigeria.

Recovered items linked to the case include a MacBook Pro, an iPhone, and several Google Pixel devices, with an estimated total value exceeding N8 million. The suspect allegedly posed as a 60-year-old UN-affiliated surgeon to justify receiving the equipment.

The Commissioner of Police for the Airport Command, Ogunbode Olufunke, reaffirmed the commitment to safeguarding the aviation sector from criminal exploitation.

The case has been transferred to the Police Special Fraud Unit for further investigation, and the suspect is expected to be arraigned upon completion of inquiries.