Nigeria Police Return $23,000 to Romance Scam Victim, Arrest Suspect
The Nigeria Police Force, through its INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, has successfully repatriated the sum of $23,000 to a victim of an international online romance scam in The Cayman Islands, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to combating transnational cybercrime.
The recovery and repatriation followed a formal request from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, which sought the assistance of INTERPOL NCB Abuja in investigating a Nigerian national, Achufusi Obioma Ikenna, accused of defrauding a Cayman Islands resident through an online romance scam.
Acting on the request, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja launched discreet, intelligence-driven investigations that led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the $23,000 traced to the fraudulent scheme.
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Upon the conclusion of necessary documentation and in close collaboration with international law enforcement partners, the recovered funds were formally handed over to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service through the British High Commission in Abuja. The handover was conducted in the presence of a representative of the High Commission, Mr. Shaun McLeary, for onward transmission to the victim in The Cayman Islands.
Police authorities confirmed that the suspect will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
The Nigeria Police Force described the successful recovery and repatriation as a testament to its sustained commitment to intelligence-led policing, effective international cooperation, and the disruption of cross-border cybercrime networks. The Force reiterated its resolve to ensure that proceeds of crime are diligently traced, recovered and returned to victims, while perpetrators are identified and prosecuted in line with applicable laws and international best practices.
The development further highlights the growing role of international partnerships in addressing cyber-enabled crimes and restoring confidence among victims across jurisdictions.
By PRNigeria
