Varsity Female Graduate Nabbed for N154m Romance Scam Against German Man

Cursory: A fresh graduate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Akwa (UNIZIK) Anambra State Nigeria, has been nabbed by the Nigerian police for scamming a German man, off his life savings. The fraudster had capitalized on the man’s eagerness to be romantically involved with her, to persuade him to relinquish all of his money so they can live as husband and wife.

Chioma Atuonah, a recent graduate, was detained by the Police Special Fraud Unit in Ikoyi, Lagos, on suspicion of scamming a 50-year-old German of $220,000 after promising to wed him, Punch reports.

According to SP Eyitayo Johnson, the unit’s spokeswoman, who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, the suspect allegedly seduced the victim on Instagram by pretending to have romantic feelings for him.

The statement read in part, “The suspect, a 2019 graduate of Economics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; who claimed to be a model and proprietress of a massage spa known as The-Chi-Place, lured the 50-year-old victim on Instagram by feigning romantic intentions towards him, thereby gaining the victims’ trust and goodwill.

“Miss Atuonah promised to marry the victim, invited him to Nigeria for visits on several occasions and convinced him to relocate permanently to Nigeria to live together as husband and wife.

“In a ploy to dispel suspicion, the victim was made to meet with Atuonah Chiomas’ parents at Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, where he received their blessings to marry their daughter.

“The victim was persuaded by the suspect to return to Germany to sell his house in Stuttgart, and forward the proceeds of sale, together with his pension and life savings to her domiciliary account in bank; for the purpose of purchasing a house in Nigeria where they will both live as husband and wife as well as to establish a joint business outfit as indicated in the bank transfer narration.”

According to the authorities, the suspect acknowledged during an interview that the victim had transferred $220,000 to her account.

“Part of the proceed was then used to buy a two-bedroom Terrace apartment at Zara Estate, Ikota Villa, Lekki Phase II, while some of the funds was sent to support her mother’s business and to pay medical bills of her father.

“Efforts are ongoing to recover other proceeds of the crime,” the statement added.

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