A new investigation has revealed how a Nigerian crime syndicate allegedly led by socialite Nzube Ikeji defrauded a Romanian businesswoman of more than $2.5 million through a romance and advance-fee scam.
The investigation, carried out by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and published on Monday, detailed how Ikeji posed as a Dubai prince, using the name Sheikh Hamdan Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
His associate, Martins Abhulimhen, also played a key role in the scheme, posing as a financial manager under the name Matthew Cros.
According to the report, Ikeji first contacted the victim — identified only as Laura — via LinkedIn, claiming he wanted to fund humanitarian initiatives in Romania. He requested her advice on organisations deserving of investment and financial support.
The interaction later developed into a personal relationship, eventually becoming an online romance.
As the relationship deepened, the fake “prince” reportedly proposed marriage and convinced Laura to pay costs related to their engagement.
He later asked her to travel to London to meet his supposed financial manager, Abhulimhen, to discuss opening a bank account and securing funding.
British police later identified “Matthew Cros” as an alias used by Abhulimhen.
Laura was reportedly given login details to an online account showing a balance of about £202 million in her name, which she did not realise was fake and digitally manipulated.
She initially paid £7,000 to make withdrawals, but each attempt to access the funds led to more demands for additional payments, pulling her deeper into the scam.
Over time, she reportedly transferred around $2.5 million, believing the money was real.
However, the operation later collapsed after disputes broke out among the co-conspirators over how to share the proceeds.
One member of the syndicate eventually contacted Laura and exposed the fraud, with Abhulimhen also confirming the details to her.
“He defrauded you of more than 3 million euros,” the scammers reportedly told her.
The investigation also claimed that Ikeji and Abhulimhen are connected to prominent Nigerians, including Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and his wife, billionaire Obi Cubana, and Arthur Eze.
