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The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a mother and her daughter over their alleged involvement in an ₦18 million romance scam linked to cyber fraud and money laundering activities.
The suspects, identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru, were apprehended following an intelligence report received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
According to a press statement signed by the Acting Police Public Liaison Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Unwana Imah, investigations revealed that a Lagos resident, Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly conspired with his stepdaughter, Rokibat, to open and operate multiple bank accounts used for fraudulent transactions.
Police said one of the victims of the alleged scam was a resident of Malta whose identity was withheld.
Preliminary findings showed that funds were transferred through Money Transfer Operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts owned by Rokibat Imoru. The money was later allegedly moved into an Ecobank account belonging to her mother, Urowhe Diana, where the proceeds were reportedly spent.
The police disclosed that forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital footprints led to the arrest of the mother and daughter for their alleged active roles in the romance scam operation.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to arrest Emmanuel Amanfo, described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather to Rokibat Imoru.
The NPF-NCCC stated that investigations are still ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting Nigeria’s digital space under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
Members of the public were also urged to report suspicious cybercrime-related activities through the NPF-NCCC online reporting portal or official email channels.
