Fraudster detains American lady in Lagos hotel, defrauds her of N18.5m

Police operatives have rescued a citizen of the United States of America who was allegedly confined to a Lagos hotel against her wish for over one year.

The victim, who came from Washington DC, arrived in Nigeria on February 13, 2019, on a visit to 34-year-old Chukwuebuka Obiaku, a native of Ikeduru LGA of Imo State, whom she met on Facebook.

The retired civil servant reportedly lost about N18.5m to Obiaku, who allegedly took control of her credit and debit cards, as well as the operation of her bank accounts.

The suspect also allegedly took receipt of the American’s monthly retirement benefits and allowances for 15 months.


This is happening a few weeks after the police similarly rescued a Filipino woman, who was lured to Nigeria by her supposed lover whom she equally met on Facebook.

This is happening a few weeks after the police similarly rescued a Filipino woman, who was lured to Nigeria by her supposed lover whom she equally met on Facebook.

According to a statement on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, investigations show that Obiaku, a graduate of Business Administration and Management, is an Internet fraudster who has defrauded many unsuspecting members of the public, both locally and internationally.

Obiaku allegedly lured the victim into the country on the pretext of love and deceitfully married her on May 15, 2019.

“He subsequently held her captive in a hotel, extorted from her money amounting to a total of $48,000. He also forcefully collected and took control of her credit and debit cards, as well as the operation of her bank accounts, including the receipt of her monthly retirement benefits and allowances over the period of 15 months,” the police said.

The statement disclosed that the suspect also used the victim as a front to defraud her associates and other foreign personalities and companies.

The unidentified victim was reportedly rescued by police operatives attached to the Intelligence Response Team, Ogun State annex, following information received from a Nigerian in the Meiran area of Lagos State.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Cybercrime Unit, INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Abuja, has arrested three suspects, Samson Inegbenesun, 30; Blessed Junior, 32; and Muhammed Zakari, 36; all from Uromi in Edo State, for cybercrime-related offences, including advance fee fraud, money laundering and romance scam.