Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a demonstration of expanding international law enforcement cooperation, the Nigeria Police Force has recovered and repatriated $23,000 to a victim of an online romance scam based in the Cayman Islands, marking a notable breakthrough in cross-border cybercrime enforcement.
The operation was coordinated by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja following a formal request from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. Authorities in the Caribbean territory had alerted Nigerian counterparts after tracing fraudulent financial transfers to a Nigerian suspect believed to be involved in a romance scam scheme targeting the victim.
According to police authorities, the request triggered an intelligence-led investigation that relied on surveillance, digital tracking and financial analysis. Investigators focused on a Nigerian national identified as Achufusi Obioma Ikenna, who was subsequently tracked and apprehended. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the entire $23,000 allegedly obtained through the scam was recovered during the operation.
Romance scams typically involve perpetrators creating false identities on social media or dating platforms to establish emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending money under false pretenses. Such schemes have become a persistent form of transnational cybercrime, often exploiting digital anonymity and cross-border financial systems to complicate recovery efforts.
The recovered funds were formally handed over on Friday, February 6, 2026, during a ceremony held in Abuja. The transfer was conducted through the British High Commission, which facilitated the repatriation of the funds to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. The High Commission was represented at the event by Mr. Shaun McLeary.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, described the recovery as evidence of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and international collaboration. He stated that the operation reflects ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational cybercrime networks and to ensure that proceeds of crime are traced and returned to victims wherever possible.
The suspect remains in police custody and is expected to be arraigned once investigations are concluded. Authorities indicated that additional forensic and financial analysis is ongoing, which may determine whether the case is linked to a broader network of cybercriminal activity.
Cybercrime remains a significant concern globally, with romance scams accounting for substantial financial losses annually. Law enforcement agencies have increasingly relied on cross-border cooperation, information sharing and joint investigations to track suspects and recover funds transferred across jurisdictions. The successful recovery in this case underscores the importance of international policing frameworks, particularly through INTERPOL channels, in addressing crimes that transcend national boundaries.
The Nigeria Police Force has in recent years sought to strengthen its cybercrime response capabilities, including improved digital forensics, intelligence gathering and collaboration with foreign law enforcement bodies. Officials say these measures are aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s reputation in combating cyber-enabled crimes and discouraging individuals who exploit the country’s digital ecosystem for fraudulent activities.
Authorities emphasized that the outcome of the case sends a clear signal that cybercriminals can be identified and held accountable regardless of geographic distance. They also urged members of the public, both within Nigeria and internationally, to exercise caution when engaging in online relationships and to report suspicious financial requests to appropriate law enforcement agencies.
The repatriation of the $23,000 to the Cayman Islands victim highlights the operational value of sustained international partnerships and coordinated investigative strategies. Law enforcement officials indicated that continued collaboration between Nigeria and its global partners will remain essential in tackling the evolving landscape of cybercrime and safeguarding victims from financial exploitation.
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