Police return $23,000 to Cayman Islands romance scam victim
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigeria Police Force has repatriated $23,000 to a victim of an international romance scam in the Cayman Islands, marking another win against cybercrime.
In a statement Friday from ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja detailed the recovery.
“NIGERIA POLICE FORCE SUCCESSFULLY REPATRIATE $23,000 TO INTERNATIONAL ROMANCE SCAM VICTIM,” the statement opened.
The funds were traced back to Nigerian national Achufusi Obioma Ikenna, who defrauded a Cayman Islands resident via an online romance scam.
Acting on a request from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, INTERPOL NCB Abuja launched “discreet, intelligence-led investigations which led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the sum of $23,000.”
The money was handed over through the British High Commission in Abuja, represented by Shaun McLeary, for secure delivery to the victim.
The suspect faces arraignment once investigations wrap up.
Hundeyin emphasised the broader impact, “This successful repatriation underscores the Nigeria Police Force’s sustained commitment to intelligence-driven policing, effective international collaboration, and the disruption of transnational cybercrime networks.
The Force remains resolute in ensuring that proceeds of crime are traced, recovered, and returned to victims, while offenders are identified and brought to justice.”
