Cynthia Atuonah, a 2019 graduate of Economics from Nnamdi
Azikiwe University, Awka, has been apprehended by the police in Lagos for
allegedly using a romance scam to defraud a German man of $220,000 (N101
million). According to SP Eyitayo Johnson, the spokesperson of the Police
Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Ikoyi, Cynthia, who claimed to be a model and
owner of a massage spa known as “The-Chi-Place,” lured the victim on Instagram.
The suspect allegedly feigned romantic intentions towards
the 50-year-old victim, thereby gaining his trust and goodwill. Cynthia
promised to marry the victim and invited him to Nigeria for visits on several
occasions. She convinced him to emigrate to Nigeria so they could live together
as husband and wife. In a ploy to dispel suspicion, the victim was made to meet
with Cynthia’s parents at Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom, where he received their
blessings to marry the suspect.
Cynthia then persuaded the victim to return to Germany to
sell his house in Stuttgart and forward the proceeds of sale, together with his
pensions and life savings, to her domiciliary account at Fidelity Bank Plc. The
purpose of the money was to buy a house in Nigeria where they would both live
as husband and wife, as well as to establish a joint business outfit as indicated
in the bank transfer narration.
According to SP Johnson, Cynthia admitted that $220,000 was
transferred to her account by the victim. She claimed that part of the proceeds
was used to buy a two-bedroom terrace apartment at Zara Estate, Ikota Villa,
Lekki Phase II. Some of the money was also used to support her mother’s
business and to pay the medical bills of her father.
Efforts are currently ongoing to recover other proceeds of
the crime, and Cynthia will be charged in court as soon as the investigation is
concluded. The police have warned the public to be vigilant and cautious of
online friendships that may lead to financial losses.
