Abuja: Police nab two over identity theft and romance scams

The National Cybercrime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force has reported the arrest of two individuals in Abuja on charges of criminal conspiracy, identity theft, and romance scams.

According to ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, the arrests were made in line with the directives of the Acting Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, aimed at ensuring a safer online environment for Nigerians.

The suspects, who reside in Panasonic Estate, Idu, Abuja, have confessed to their involvement in computer-related fraud activities, particularly romance scams and identity theft.

Adejobi noted that substantial evidence from their electronic devices has revealed the extent of their criminal activities.

One of the suspects, a former student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), claimed to have been involved in the music industry since 2016 and also runs a public relations company. He confessed to engaging in fraudulent activities on Facebook since 2014.

Further investigations have uncovered compelling evidence linking him to fraud and romance scams extending to the present.

Both suspects are closely associated, with the second suspect apprehended at the residence of the first, ostensibly for music recording purposes. However, the investigation has revealed a unique connection between the second suspect and a 69-year-old white woman known as Winnie. Evidence suggests that this connection involves a series of cash exchanges between them.

These arrests reflect ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and protect the public from scams and identity theft.