CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The Police at the Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, have uncovered how a 2019 graduate of Economics from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, swindled a 50-year old German to the tune of $220,000 equivalent of N154m under the false pretence of getting married to him, which turned out to be a scam.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the 21-year old graduate, Cynthia Chioma Atuonah, has been arrested and detained at PSFU undergoing interrogation over the alleged fraudulent act.
The suspect, Cynthia, who is model and proprietress of a massage spa, known as The-Chi-Place, lured the 50-year old German on Instagram by feigning romantic intentions towards him, thereby gaining the victim’s trust and goodwill.
This was disclosed by the PSFU Public Relations Officer, SP Eyitayo Johnson, who confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. He said that the suspect lured the German victim on Instagram by feigning romantic intentions towards him and made a false promise to get married to him.
“The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, has arrested one Miss Atuonah Cynthia Chioma, a 21-years old indigene of Anambra State, for alleged case of Fraudulent Conversion, Stealing and Obtaining the sum of Two-Hundred and Twenty Thousand Dollars ($220,000USD) by False Pretence from a German citizen,” the PRO said.
“Miss Atuonah Chioma promised to get married to the victim, invited him to Nigeria for visits on several occasions and convinced him to relocate permanently to Nigeria in order to live together as husband and wife.”
“In a ploy to dispel suspicion, the victim was made to meet with Atuonah Chiomas’ parents at Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, where he received their blessings to get married to their daughter.
The victim was persuaded by the suspect (Miss Atuonah Cynthia) to return to Germany to sell his house in Stuttgart, and forward the proceeds of sale, together with his pension and life savings to her domiciliary account in the bank; for the purpose of purchasing a house in Nigeria, where they will both live as husband and wife as well as to establish a joint business outfit as indicated in the bank transfer narration.”
During the interview session, the suspect admitted in her statement that the sum of Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand Dollars ($220,000USD) was transferred to her account by the victim.
Part of the proceeds was used then to buy a 2-Bedroom Terrace apartment at Zara Estate, Ikota Villa, Lekki Phase II, while some of the funds were sent to support her mother’s business and to pay medical bills of her father.
According to the Police, efforts are ongoing to recover other proceeds of the crime while the Unit remains committed to diligently investigate and prosecute fraudsters who are out there damaging the image of the country.
PSFU Public Relations Officer, SP Eyitayo Johnso, stated that the suspect will be charged to Court after the conclusion of investigation by the Police for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.