Nigerian Arrested in Turkey Over Alleged $2.5 Million Romance Scam

 

Nigerian Arrested in Turkey Over Alleged $2.5 Million Romance Scam

By DIP Connects Online News

A Nigerian man identified as Kingsley O. has been arrested in Turkey for allegedly defrauding a Hong Kong-based dentist of $2.5 million through a romance scam.

According to Turkish news outlet Haberler, Kingsley and four alleged accomplices were arrested in Esenyurt, a district in Istanbul Province, following an investigation into an online fraud scheme that reportedly operated over a two-year period.

Investigators alleged that the suspect posed as an American businessman named Richard and met the victim, identified as Siu P.Y.F., through an online platform in 2020. He allegedly developed a long-distance romantic relationship with the woman through regular phone communication and promised to marry her.

Police said the suspect convinced the victim that he was undertaking a major investment project in Istanbul and required financial assistance. Believing they would eventually get married, the dentist reportedly transferred a total of $2.5 million in instalments to several bank accounts in Turkey between 2020 and 2022.

Authorities alleged that after receiving the funds, the suspect cut off communication and became unreachable, prompting the victim to report the matter to law enforcement authorities in Hong Kong.

The report stated that initial investigations by Hong Kong police did not produce any significant results. The victim subsequently engaged a Turkish lawyer and filed a complaint with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, leading to a fresh investigation.

Operatives of the Istanbul Police Department’s Fraud Bureau traced the bank accounts that received the funds and arrested five account holders linked to the transactions.

While four of the suspects reportedly denied any knowledge of the alleged fraud, one suspect allegedly told investigators that he handed over the money received in his account to a Nigerian man he knew as Richard.

The confession reportedly led investigators to Kingsley, whom police identified as the alleged mastermind of the scheme. He was subsequently arrested during a police operation and taken into custody for questioning.

According to the report, Kingsley denied all allegations during interrogation.

Following the conclusion of police investigations, he and five other suspects were arraigned in court under tight security.

Authorities allege that the suspect used a false identity and the promise of marriage to persuade the victim to part with the funds under the guise of a romantic relationship. The case is currently before the court.

ADEOLA KUNLE