A 21-year-old lady, Atuonah Cynthia Chioma has been arrested by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos for allegedly defrauding a 50-year-old German national of $220,000.
The unit spokesperson, SP Eyitayo Johnson,
who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, said the
suspect lured the victim on Instagram by feigning romantic intentions towards
him and made a false promise to marry him.
“The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi,
Lagos, has arrested one Miss Atuonah Cynthia Chioma, a 21-years old indigene of
Anambra State for an alleged case of Fraudulent Conversion, Stealing, and Obtaining
the sum of Two-Hundred and Twenty Thousand Dollars ($220,000USD) by False
Pretence from a German citizen,” the statement read.
“The suspect, a 2019 graduate of Economics,
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka; who claimed to be a Model and
Proprietress of a Massage Spa known as The-Chi-Place, lured the 50-year-old
victim on Instagram by feigning romantic intentions towards him, thereby
gaining the victims’ trust and goodwill,”
"Miss Atuonah Chioma promised to marry
the victim, invited him to Nigeria for visits on several occasions and
convinced him to relocate permanently to Nigeria to live together as husband
and wife.
"In a ploy to dispel suspicion, the
victim was made to meet with Atuonah Chiomas’ parents at Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom
State where he received their blessings to marry their daughter.
"The victim was persuaded by the suspect
(Miss Atuonah Cynthia) to return to Germany to sell his house in Stuttgart, and
forward the proceeds of the sale, together with his pension and life savings to her
domiciliary account in Bank; for the purpose of purchasing a house in Nigeria
where they will both live as husband and wife as well as to establish a joint
business outfit as indicated in the bank transfer narration.
"During the interview session, the suspect
admitted in her statement that the sum of Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand
Dollars ($220,000USD) was transferred to her account by the victim.
"Part of the proceed was used then used
to buy a 2-Bedroom Terrace apartment at Zara Estate, Ikota Villa, Lekki Phase
II, while some of the funds was sent to support her mother’s business and to
pay medical bills of her father.
"Efforts are ongoing to recover other
proceeds of the crime while the Unit remains committed to diligently investigate
and prosecute fraudsters who are out there damaging the image of the country.
“The suspect will be charged to court as soon
as investigation is concluded.”
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