Nigeria Police Force, through its INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has successfully repatriated 23,000 dollars recovered from an international romance scam to the victim in the Cayman Islands.
Police
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Hundeyin said the repatriation followed a request from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, which sought the assistance of INTERPOL NCB Abuja to investigate a Nigerian national, Achufusi Obioma Ikenna, accused of defrauding a Cayman Islands resident through an online romance scam.
“Acting on the request, INTERPOL NCB Abuja conducted discreet, intelligence-led investigations which led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the sum of 23,000 dollars,” he said.
According to Hundeyin, after the completion of all necessary documentation and in collaboration with international partners, the recovered funds were formally handed over to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.
He explained that the handover was carried out through the British High Commission in Abuja, represented by Mr. Shaun McLeary, for secure delivery to the victim.
Hundeyin added that the suspect would be arraigned in court at the conclusion of the investigation.
“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,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Force’s resolve to ensure that proceeds of crime are traced, recovered and returned to victims, while offenders are identified and prosecuted in line with applicable laws and international best practices.
