Mother, Daughter Arrested for N18m Romance Scam Targeting Malta Victim

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre have arrested a 39-year-old woman and her 22-year-old daughter in connection with an alleged romance scam that defrauded a victim based in Malta of over N18 million.

The suspects, identified as Urowhe Diana and her daughter Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru, were taken into custody following intelligence received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit. According to police authorities, preliminary findings show that a Lagos resident named Emmanuel Amanfo who is currently at large and is Rokibat’s stepfather conspired with her to open multiple bank accounts used for illicit transactions.

Investigators revealed that funds from the scam were routed through money transfer operators and deposited directly into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat. The money was then moved into an Ecobank account held by her mother, Urowhe Diana, where the proceeds were allegedly spent.

A police spokesperson stated that forensic examination of digital evidence linked the mother and daughter to the fraudulent operation. Efforts are underway to arrest Amanfo, who is described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

The police confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged in court once the probe is concluded. The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre reaffirmed its commitment to tackling cybercrime and urged the public to report any suspicious online activities through official channels.