The National Cybercrime Centre, Nigeria Police Force, has arrested two men over a romance scam in Abuja.
The duo, Jerry Okoye and Ifeanyi Nwosu, were accused of criminal conspiracy and identity theft.
This was made available by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, who stated that evidence of the criminal activities was seen on the suspects’ electronic devices.
In the statement, Adejobi noted that the NPF would not relent in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of citizens by relentlessly cracking down on criminal activities such as identity theft, romance scams, sextortion and other cyber-related crimes.
The statement read in part: “These suspects, namely Jerry Okoye and Ifeanyi Nwosu, both residents of Panasonic Estate in Idu, Abuja, have confessed to their participation in computer-related frauds associated with romance scams and identity theft. Substantial evidence from their electronic devices has shed light on their criminal activities.
“Jerry Okoye, a former student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), claimed to have been in the music industry since 2016 and operates a public relations company. However, he confessed to engaging in fraudulent activities dating back to 2014, primarily through Facebook. The investigation also uncovered compelling evidence, linking him to fraud and romance scams, extending up to the present day.”
The Force PRO added that the second suspect, Ifeanyi Nwosu, had been involved in “cash exchanges” with a 69-year-old white woman identified as Winnie.
“Similarly, Ifeanyi Nwosu, a close associate of Jerry Okoye, who was arrested along with the first suspect, claimed that his visit to the residence was for music recording purposes. However, he admitted to having a unique connection with a 69-year-old white woman known as Winnie, whom he identifies as both a fan and a friend.
“This connection goes beyond casual friendship as evidence indicating a series of cash exchanges between Ifeanyi Nwosu and the elderly woman have come to light,” the Force PRO stated, adding “We urge members of the public to remain vigilant and cautious when interacting with individuals online, especially those they have not met in person.”
The statement added: “We call upon all Nigerians and residents to actively collaborate with the Force in securing our cyber-space and protecting our communities from these menaces. Safeguarding Nigeria is a collective responsibility that must not be trivialised.”
