21-Year-Old Woman Detained For $220,000 Love Scam

Atuonah Cynthia Chioma, a 21-year-old native of Anambra State, has been detained by members of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi-Lagos, on suspicion of defrauding a German national out of $220,000 by fraudulently converting, stealing, and obtaining it under false pretenses.

It was discovered that the suspect, Chioma, a 2019 Economics graduate from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, claimed to be a model and the owner of a massage parlor called The-Chi-Place. She lured the 50-year-old victim online by pretending to have romantic feelings for him, winning the victim’s trust and goodwill.

The victim was persuaded to move permanently to Nigeria so they could live together as husband and wife by Atuonah Chioma, who also made him a marriage proposal and extended numerous invitations for visits. The victim was forced to meet with Atuonah Chiomas’ parents in Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, in an effort to allay suspicions. There, he gained their approval to marry their daughter.

The suspect (Miss Atuonah Cynthia) convinced the victim to travel back to Germany in order to sell his home in Stuttgart and transfer the sale proceeds, along with his pension and life savings, to her domiciliary account in order to buy a home in Nigeria where they would live together as husband and wife and start a joint business venture, as stated in the bank transfer narration.

In confirming the arrest, SP Eyitayo Johnson, Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi-Lagos, Police Public Relations Officer, stated that during questioning, the suspect confirmed in her statement that the victim had transferred $220,000 to her account. The proceeds were then split between paying for her mother’s company and her father’s medical expenses while also purchasing a 2-Bedroom Terrace flat at Zara Estate, Ikota Villa, Lekki Phase II.

“While the Unit continues to be dedicated to carefully investigate and prosecute fraudsters who are out there harming the reputation of the country, efforts are still being made to recover other proceeds of the crime.

He stated that as soon as the investigation is through, the suspect will be charged in court.