Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18 Million Romance Scam in Lagos
By Trek Africa Newspaper
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a mother and her daughter for their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 mill!on.
The suspects, identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru, were arrested following an investigation into allegations of computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, the Acting Police Public Liaison Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Unwana Imah, said the investigation was launched after an intelligence report from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
According to the police, preliminary findings revealed that a Lagos resident, Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently on the run, allegedly conspired with his stepdaughter, Rokibat Imoru, to open and operate multiple bank accounts used for fraudulent activities.
Investigators discovered that one of the victim!ms, a resident of Malta whose identity was withheld, transferred funds through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts allegedly owned by Rokibat Imoru.
The police further stated that the funds were subsequently moved into an Ecobank account belonging to Urowhe Diana, where the proceeds were allegedly spent.
Following forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities and financial transactions, authorities arrested both women for their alleged roles in the romance scam operation.
The police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who is believed to be the mastermind of the scheme. He is also identified as the husband of Urowhe Diana and the stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.
The NPF-NCCC noted that investigations are still ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the probe.
