Police officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos have arrested a man suspected of running an international "romance scam" that defrauded victims of over ₦1 billion.
The suspect was arrested after a long investigation into a network of fraudsters who trick people into falling in love online to steal their money.
According to the police, the suspect and his team allegedly targeted wealthy individuals, mostly living abroad, by pretending to be romantic partners in need of financial help.
Security experts say these scammers use fake social media profiles with stolen photos to build trust with their victims.
Once a victim feels a "romantic connection," the scammer begins to ask for money for fake emergencies, travel costs, or "investment opportunities."
In this specific case, the suspect is linked to a massive network that successfully moved ₦1 billion through different bank accounts.
The Lagos Airport Police Command caught the suspect as he was reportedly attempting to move funds or travel.
This arrest is being hailed as a major win for Nigeria's image.
Many international partners have complained about these "Yahoo-Yahoo" activities, and this arrest shows that Nigerian authorities are working hard to stop them.
"This arrest sends a strong message," a police source said. "The airport is not a safe zone for criminals. We are watching."
Authorities are now working to track down other members of the gang.
They also advise the public to be very careful about sending money to people they have only met on the internet.
