Man Arraigned For Posing As American Citizen & Swindling 2 Women Of $7,000 Over Romance Scam

KINGSLEY EBERE 

Police Intelligence operatives from the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, have arrested a man, Samson Onaolapo, for allegedly posing as an American citizen and swindling two women to the tune of the sum of $7,000 in online romance scam. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect,  Onaolapo, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos, presiding by Justice Alexander Owoeye on four counts of conspiracy, impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

According to the Police, the defendant, who resides at Association Crescent, Abimbola Awoniyi Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos, allegedly posed as an American citizen identified as Scott Spark to deceive two victims, Patti Anna and Linda Morgan.

The prosecution, led by Williams Tijani, told the Court that the suspect allegedly used an email address to carry out the scam, through which he obtained and retained the sum of $7,000, knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

Tijani also stated that the offences were allegedly committed between 2019 and 2024 and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (as amended), the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, as well as Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act.

However, the defendant, Onaolapo pleaded not guilty.

Following the plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in custody.

However, defence counsel, Olalekan Ogunbunmi, informed the court that he had only just taken up the brief and sought a short adjournment to enable him to file a formal bail application.

In his ruling, Justice Owoeye adjourned the case to 27th May, 2026, for commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded at a correctional facility pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.