Turkish police have arrested a Nigerian national accused of defrauding a Hong Kong-based dentist of 2.5 million dollars through an online romance scam that allegedly spanned two years.
The suspect, identified by Turkish authorities as Kingsley O., was arrested in Istanbul’s Esenyurt district alongside five alleged accomplices and was arraigned before a court on Thursday.
According to Turkish media reports, the victim, identified as Siu P.Y.F., met a man using the name “Richard” on a dating platform in 2020.
The man allegedly presented himself as a wealthy American businessman and developed a long-distance relationship with the dentist, promising marriage.
Investigators said the pair communicated primarily by telephone over several years and later agreed to formalise their relationship.
During the period, the suspect allegedly told the woman he had travelled to Istanbul for a major investment project and required financial assistance.
Believing she was helping her future husband, the dentist reportedly transferred a total of 2.5 million dollars in installments to several bank accounts in Turkey between 2020 and 2022.
Authorities said communication between the pair ceased shortly after the funds were transferred, with the suspect allegedly switching off his phone and disappearing.
The victim subsequently reported the matter to police in Hong Kong, but investigations reportedly yielded little progress.
She later engaged a Turkish lawyer who filed a complaint with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, prompting a fresh investigation.
The Istanbul Police Department’s Fraud Bureau traced the bank accounts that received the funds and initially detained five account holders.
Police said one of the suspects admitted transferring funds received through his account to a Nigerian national known to him as “Richard.”
The confession reportedly led investigators to intensify surveillance operations, eventually identifying the alleged mastermind as Kingsley O.
Police said the suspect was arrested during a raid and taken into custody for questioning.
Authorities added that Kingsley denied the allegations during interrogation.
Following the completion of police procedures, Kingsley and the five other suspects were referred to court under tight security.
The case remains under investigation by Turkish authorities.
