The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a mother and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a victim based in Malta of more than ₦18 million.

According to police statements, the suspects identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Imoru, were apprehended following intelligence received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

Investigators said the case involves computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering activities linked to multiple Nigerian bank accounts.

Police reports indicate that the fraudulent funds were allegedly sent by the victim in Malta through Money Transfer Operators and direct deposits into several accounts belonging to Rokibat.

It is further alleged that once the money entered these accounts, it was transferred to an Ecobank account owned by her mother, Urowhe Diana, where the proceeds were eventually spent.

Authorities also claimed that forensic analysis of digital activities and financial tracking played a key role in tracing the flow of the funds across different accounts.The investigation further revealed that a Lagos-based suspect, identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, is currently on the run.He is accused of collaborating with Rokibat to open and manage the accounts used for the alleged fraud.Police also described him as the husband of Urowhe and stepfather of Rokibat, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend him.

The NPF-NCCC stated that the suspects will be charged to court after ongoing investigations are concluded, while reaffirming its commitment to fighting cybercrime in Nigeria.

The case forms part of broader efforts by authorities to curb romance scams and other online fraud schemes targeting victims both locally and internationally.