The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has apprehended a woman and her daughter over their alleged roles in a romance fraud scheme that reportedly defrauded a victim based in Malta of over ₦18 million.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja, the Acting Police Public Liaison Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Unwana Imah, confirmed the arrest of the suspects identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.
Investigators said the operation followed intelligence shared by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, which pointed to a coordinated case of cyber-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering.
Preliminary findings allegedly linked a Lagos-based man, Emmanuel Amanfo—who is currently on the run and described as Rokibat’s stepfather—to the creation and management of multiple bank accounts used in carrying out the fraudulent activities alongside Rokibat.
According to the police, proceeds from the scam were first routed through money transfer operators and various direct deposits into accounts belonging to Rokibat. The funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by her mother, Urowhe Diana, where they were allegedly spent.
The statement further noted that one of the victims of the scheme was a Malta-based individual whose identity has been withheld for security reasons.
Forensic tracking of digital and financial trails reportedly led investigators to the two suspects, resulting in their arrest over their alleged participation in the fraud network.
The police also disclosed that efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest Emmanuel Amanfo, who is believed to be a key figure in the operation.
Authorities stated that the suspects will be charged in court upon completion of investigations.
Reaffirming its commitment, the NPF-NCCC said it remains dedicated to tackling cybercrime and safeguarding Nigeria’s digital space under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police. It also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious online activities through official channels.