Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has arrested a mother and her daughter over their alleged involvement in an ₦18 million romance scam.
The agency said the suspects were being investigated for computer-related fraud, identity theft and money laundering following intelligence received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Liaison Officer of the centre, Unwana Imah, the police identified the suspects as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.
The statement said preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident, Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly conspired with Rokibat to open and operate multiple bank accounts used for fraudulent activities.
According to the police, one of the victims was a resident of Malta whose identity was withheld.
Investigators disclosed that funds were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into bank accounts belonging to Rokibat before being moved into an Ecobank account owned by her mother.
The police alleged that the proceeds were subsequently spent by the suspects.
The statement added that forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital footprints linked them to a romance scam operation.
The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest Amanfo, identified as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat.
The agency noted that the suspects would be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to protecting the country’s cyberspace under the leadership of Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
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