Police Nabs 21-Year-old Model for Scamming German of $220,000

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

A self-acclaimed model, who graduated from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, simply identified as Ms Atuonah Chioma has been arrested by the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos State, for allegedly defrauding a 50-year-old German national of $220,000.

It was alleged that Chioma was able to defraud the 50-year-old German national after she promised to marry him.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed in her statement that the sum of $220,000 was transferred to her account by the victim.

Chioma stated that she used the money to purchase a 2 bedroom Terrace apartment at Ikota, Lekki Lagos, while some of the funds were sent to support her mother’s business.

SP Eyitayo Johnson, the Police Special Fraud unit spokesperson confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

Eyitayo stated that the suspect lured the victim on Instagram by allegedly faking romantic intentions towards him.

“The suspect, a 2019 graduate of Economics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka; who claimed to be a Model and Proprietress of a Massage Spa known as The-Chi-Place, lured the 50-year-old victim on Instagram by feigning romantic intentions towards him, thereby gaining the victims’ trust and goodwill.” The statement reads.

“Miss Atuonah Chioma promised to marry the victim, invited him to Nigeria for visits on several occasions and convinced him to relocate permanently to Nigeria 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 marry 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 the sale, together with his pension and life savings to her domiciliary account in Bank; to purchase 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 (USD 220,000) was transferred to her account by bye victim.

“Part of the proceeds was used 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 the medical bills of her father.”

It was reported that efforts are ongoing to recover other proceeds of the crime.