Nigerian, Pinay collared for P2.28M ‘love scam’
AUTHORITIES arrested a Nigerian and his Filipina cohort allegedly involved in a “love scam” after victimizing a woman and carting away her P2.28 million.
The Nigerian and her Filipina accomplice were arrested by operatives of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) in Barangay Molino I in Bacoor, Cavite, said QCPD Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
Torre said police took the suspects into custody based on a warrant of arrest issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 230 Jude Maria Gilda Loja-Pangilinan for swindling or estafa.
Their arrest stemmed from the complaint of a victim who claimed she and the foreigner had a virtual relationship after meeting on the online dating site MeetMe in April 2020.
Using a fictitious name, The Nigerian suspect had asked for financial assistance from the victim through a bank account owned by the female suspect, who posed as a man named “Mohammed”.
Torre said the victim gave the suspects a total of P2.28 million, including proceeds from a property she sold.
The victim became suspicious when the foreigner asked for an additional P650,000 in payment for a supposed certificate from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to release his money worth $1 million.
Torre reminded the public to be cautious when talking to people through online dating apps and other social media platforms.
