ROMANCE SCAM: 21 YEAR OLD ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY DEFRAUDING A GERMAN

Atuonah Cynthia Chioma

A 21-year-old model has been detained on suspicion of scamming a German man of $220,000 after offering to marry him

Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) officers in Ikoyi-Lagos have detained a 21-year-old lady, Atuonah Cynthia Chioma, for allegedly fraudulently converting, stfaling, and getting $220,000 from a German resident.

According to reports, the suspect, a 2019 Economics graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, who claimed to be a model and businesswoman, enticed the 50-year-old victim on Instagram by simulating amorous intents towards him, so winning the victims' confidence and goodwill.

SP Eyitayo Johnson, the unit's spokeswoman, said in a statement on Wednesday, April 19, that "Atuonah Chioma promised to marry the victim, invited him to Nigeria on multiple times for visits, and encouraged him to relocate permanently to Nigeria to live together as husband and wife."

To dispel suspicion, the victim was forced to meet with Atuonah Chiomas' parents in Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, where he gained their approval to marry their daughter.

The suspect (Miss Atuonah Cynthia) persuaded the victim to return to Germany to sell his house in Stuttgart and forward the proceeds, along with his pension and life savings, to her domiciliary account in order to purchase a house in Nigeria where they will both live as husband and wife, as indicated in the bank transfer narration.

During interrogation, the suspect confirmed in her statement that the victim transferred the sum of $220,000 USD to her account.

Some of the proceeds were then utilized to purchase a 2-Bedroom Terrace condominium at Zara Estate, Ikota Villa, Lekki Phase II, while the remainder was used to maintain her mother's company and pay her father's medical expenditures.