Nigeria Police Force has handed over $23,000 recovered from a suspected international romance scam to British High Commission in Abuja for onward transfer to the victim in the Cayman Islands.
Gatekeepers News reports that the money was recovered from Achufusi Obioma Ikenna, a Nigerian who is under investigation for allegedly defrauding a resident of the Cayman Islands through an online romance scheme.
The case was initiated following a formal complaint received by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.
In a statement released on Friday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that the Nigerian police acted on the request from the Cayman Islands authorities by launching a discreet, intelligence-driven investigation that led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the funds.
“The repatriation followed a request received from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service seeking assistance of the INTERPOL NCB Abuja to investigate a Nigerian national, Achufusi Obioma Ikenna, who defrauded a resident of the Cayman Islands through an online romance scam,” the statement reads.
“Acting on the request, INTERPOL NCB Abuja conducted discreet, intelligence-led investigations which led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the sum of $23,000.
“Following the completion of all necessary documentation and in collaboration with international partners, the recovered funds were formally handed over to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, through the British High Commission in Abuja, represented by Mr. Shaun McLeary, for secure delivery to the victim.
“Meanwhile the suspect will be arraigned at the conclusion of investigation.
“This successful repatriation underscores the Nigeria Police Force’s sustained commitment to intelligence-driven policing, effective international collaboration, and the disruption of transnational cybercrime networks.”
The funds were officially transferred through Shaun McLeary, a representative of the British High Commission, who received the money on behalf of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service to ensure its safe return to the victim.
Romance scams, which often involve criminals creating fake online identities to deceive victims into emotional relationships for financial gain, have continued to rise globally, prompting increased cooperation among international law enforcement agencies.
The Nigerian police said the successful recovery and repatriation of the funds reflect ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and protect victims across borders.
