Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) have arrested a mother and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than ₦18 million.
The suspects were identified by police as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru. Their arrest followed investigations into allegations of computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after intelligence was received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
According to a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Uwana Imah, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently on the run, allegedly conspired with Rokibat to open and operate several bank accounts used to receive proceeds from fraudulent online activities.
Police investigators said one of the victims was a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld for security and investigative reasons. Authorities alleged that the victim was deceived through an online romance scheme and persuaded to transfer large sums of money to accounts controlled by the suspects.
The police said funds from the alleged scam were moved through money transfer operators and deposited into multiple Nigerian bank accounts linked to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru. Investigators further alleged that part of the money was later transferred into an Ecobank account belonging to her mother, Urowhe Diana, where the proceeds were allegedly spent.
According to the NPF-NCCC, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities and financial transactions established links between the mother, daughter, and the alleged cybercrime operation. The findings reportedly led to their arrest by cybercrime detectives.
Police also disclosed that Emmanuel Amanfo, described as Diana’s husband and Rokibat’s stepfather, remains at large. Authorities said efforts are ongoing to apprehend him and dismantle the wider network behind the alleged fraud operation.
The suspects are expected to be charged to court after investigations are concluded, while police continue tracing the movement of the alleged illicit funds and identifying possible additional victims or accomplices.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to combating cybercrime, online romance scams, identity theft, and financial fraud under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. The NPF-NCCC also urged Nigerians and foreign nationals to remain cautious when engaging in online relationships and financial transactions with unknown individuals.
Romance scams have become a growing global cybercrime problem in recent years, with fraudsters using fake identities on social media and dating platforms to build emotional relationships with victims before demanding money under false pretenses. Nigerian security agencies say they have intensified efforts to track cybercrime syndicates involved in such activities.
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