Nigeria’s police authorities have returned $23,000 to a victim in the Cayman Islands after dismantling an alleged international online romance fraud linked to a Nigerian suspect.
The recovery was coordinated by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja, following a formal request from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.
Investigators were asked to assist in tracking a Nigerian national accused of deceiving a foreign resident through a relationship-based cyber scam.
According to police sources, the operation relied on covert intelligence gathering rather than routine enforcement tactics.
This approach, officials said, enabled operatives to identify the suspect, Achufusi Obioma Ikenna, trace the illicit funds, and secure the full amount involved in the fraud.
A senior officer familiar with the case said the investigation demonstrated how digital crime increasingly crosses borders, noting that “romance scams are no longer isolated incidents but organised schemes that exploit trust across continents.”
Furthermore, after concluding verification and legal documentation, Nigerian authorities transferred the recovered funds through diplomatic channels.
The money was handed over to representatives of the British High Commission in Abuja for onward delivery to the Cayman Islands police, ensuring it reached the victim securely.
Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that the suspect remains under investigation and will be charged once the process is completed.
He emphasised that the case reflects a broader strategy to address cyber-enabled crimes that harm Nigeria’s international reputation.
“This recovery sends a clear signal that cyber fraudsters cannot hide behind geography,” an official involved in the operation said.
“Illicit proceeds will be tracked, seized, and returned, no matter where the victim resides.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Police Force reiterated its commitment to international cooperation, describing partnerships with foreign law enforcement agencies as critical to disrupting transnational cybercrime networks.
Hence, authorities urged the public to remain cautious in online relationships and to report suspicious digital interactions promptly, as law enforcement intensifies efforts to curb internet-enabled fraud both locally and globally.