Nigerian airport police have arrested a 20-year-old man accused of orchestrating an international romance and celebrity fraud scheme that allegedly defrauded victims in the United States of more than $1 million, authorities said Tuesday.
The suspect, identified as Essien Emmanuel Akpama, was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Airport Command, Lagos, while attempting to leave the country, according to a statement signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Ademola.
Police said the arrest was part of an intensified effort to combat transnational financial crimes and prevent Nigeria’s airports from being exploited as exit routes for suspects facing international fraud investigations.
“In line with sustained intelligence-driven operations, the Airport Police Command has arrested a notorious romance and celebrity scam suspect responsible for defrauding multiple victims in the United States of America of over ₦1 billion, equivalent to more than $1 million,” the statement said.
Akpama was taken into custody on January 5, 2026, following months of covert surveillance and monitoring based on what police described as credible intelligence. Investigators said the suspect previously lived in Calabar, Cross River State, before relocating to Lagos in February 2024.
U.S. Victims Targeted Through Celebrity and Crypto Scam
Police said at least two United States-based victims were allegedly targeted in separate schemes. In one case in 2024, investigators said Akpama posed as a celebrity figure and convinced a 47-year-old American woman to transfer $1 million, claiming the funds would be used to purchase property in Florida for an orphanage.
Authorities said the money was funneled through a cryptocurrency operation known as “BullRun 2.0,” formerly called “4 Way Mirror Money.”
Further investigations revealed that another victim, a 70-year-old woman in the United States, was allegedly defrauded of ₦25,709,400, which police said is equivalent to approximately $18,000.
According to the statement, the fraud was carried out through the purchase of gift cards, high-end mobile phones, and computer equipment, which were shipped to Nigeria at the suspect’s direction.
Devices Recovered, False Identity Uncovered
Items recovered during the investigation include a MacBook Pro 14-inch, an iPhone 17 Pro Max, two Google Pixel 10 Pro XL devices, and a Google Pixel 10 Pro, collectively valued at ₦8,141,367, or about $5,300, police said.
Investigators said Akpama allegedly impersonated a 60-year-old orthopedic surgeon working with the United Nations in Nigeria, claiming the devices were necessary to maintain secure communications with victims abroad.
Police Vow Continued Crackdown
The Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, said the arrest underscores the command’s resolve to block criminal networks from exploiting Nigeria’s aviation corridors.
She said the command would continue deploying intelligence-led operations to “detect, disrupt, and dismantle” fraud syndicates operating within and around the country’s airport environment.
Police said the case has been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Special Fraud Unit (NPF-SFU) for further investigation, adding that the suspect will be formally charged in court once inquiries are concluded.
Sahara Reporters
