The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has arrested a mother and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The Acting Police Public Liaison Officer of the cybercrime centre, DSP Unwana Imah, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to the police, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators alleged that the pair collaborated with Emmanuel Amanfo, a Lagos resident currently at large and identified as Rokibat’s stepfather, to operate multiple bank accounts used for fraudulent transactions.

The police said intelligence reports received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit triggered the investigation into alleged computer-related fraud, identity theft and money laundering activities.

Preliminary findings showed that funds obtained from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Imoru.

According to investigators, the money was later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the proceeds were allegedly spent.

The police added that forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities led to their arrest.

Authorities said efforts were ongoing to apprehend Amanfo, who remains on the run.

The cybercrime centre noted that investigations were still ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court after the completion of the probe.

The police also reaffirmed their commitment to tackling cybercrime and urged members of the public to report suspicious online activities through official reporting channels.