The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has arrested a mother and daughter over their alleged involvement in a ₦18 million romance scam targeting a victim in Malta.

The suspects, identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru, were picked up after months of investigation into computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering.

Police say the case began with an intelligence report from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, which flagged suspicious transactions connected to the duo. Investigators allege the women worked with a Lagos resident, Emmanuel Amanfo, who remains at large, to open and operate multiple bank accounts used to receive scam proceeds.

According to the police, funds were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into accounts controlled by Rokibat, then moved into her mother’s Ecobank account where they were allegedly spent.

DSP Uwana Imah, acting spokesperson for the NPF-NCCC, said forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities tied them to the scheme. The police added that efforts are ongoing to arrest Amanfo, described as Diana’s husband and Rokibat’s stepfather.

The suspects will be charged in court once investigations are concluded.

Source: Punch Online