The Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Center (NCCC) says it is currently investigating a case involving computer related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering involving a man, his wife, and step-daughter.
It said the investigation followed an intelligence report received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
The Acting Police Public Liaison Officer, NPF-NCCC, Abuja, DSP Unwana Imah, said in a press statement that preliminary investigations revealed that one Emmanuel Amanfo, a resident of Lagos State who is currently at large, allegedly conspired with his 22-year-old stepdaughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru, to open and operate multiple bank accounts for fraudulent activities. One of their victims was identified as a resident of Malta (name withheld).
Further investigations showed that funds were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts, all owned by Rokibat Imoru.
Upon receipt, the funds were transferred into an Ecobank account belonging to her 39-year-old mother, Urowhe Diana, where the proceeds were allegedly expended.
Imah said following forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital footprints, the mother and daughter were arrested for their active involvement in a romance scam operation.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect, Emmanuel Amanfo, who is the husband of Urowhe Diana and step-father of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru,” he said, adding, “Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.”
The spokesman said: “The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu psc(+), NPM, remains committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and protecting the nation’s cyberspace.
“In furtherance of this, the Director, NPF-NCCC urges members of the public to report suspicious cybercriminal activities through our official online reporting portal at https://nccc.npf.gov.ng/ereport/signin or our email: nationalcybercrimecenter@nccc.gov.ng.”
