Police arrest two over identity theft romance scam in Abuja

<p>The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre said it has arrested two suspects over criminal conspiracy, identity theft and romance scams in Abuja.</p>, <p>The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.</p>, <p>He said the arrest of the suspects was in furtherance of the matching order of the Acting Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, to bequeath a safer cyber space to Nigerians.</p>, <p>Adejobi said the suspects, residents of Panasonic Estate in Idu, Abuja, have confessed to their participation in computer-related frauds, associated with romance scams and identity theft.</p>, <p>The police spokesman said substantial evidence from their electronic devices had shed light on their criminal activities.</p>, <p>He said one of the suspects, a former student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), claimed to have been in the music industry since 2016 and also operates a public relations company.</p>, <p>Adejobi said the suspect had confessed to being engaged in fraudulent activities since 2014 through Facebook.</p>, <p>The police spokesman said an investigation had also uncovered compelling evidence linking him to fraud and romance scams till date.</p>, <p>He said the two suspects were close associates, adding that the second suspect was arrested along with the first suspect.</p>, <p>Adejobi said the second suspect had claimed that his visit to the residence of the first suspect was for music recording purposes.</p>, <p>“However, he admitted to having a unique connection with a 69-year-old white woman, known as Winnie, whom he identifies as both a fan and a friend.</p>, <p>“This connection goes beyond casual friendship as evidence indicating a series of cash exchanges between him and the elderly woman have come to light,” he said.</p>