A Nigerian national has been arrested in South Africa for his involvement in an elaborate romance scam. The suspect, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, allegedly posed as a white man on Facebook, using a fake profile to lure his victim into a fraudulent relationship. The woman, believing she was in a legitimate romantic relationship, was swindled out of a staggering R3 million.

The suspect’s modus operandi followed a familiar pattern used by romance scammers: establishing trust through regular communication, sharing fabricated personal stories, and expressing false love and intentions to marry. Over time, the scammer convinced the victim to send large sums of money under various pretexts, such as fake medical emergencies and supposed investments. The victim, hoping to support her “partner,” transferred the funds without suspecting she was being deceived.

The arrest of the Nigerian national was made possible through the coordinated efforts of South African law enforcement agencies and cybercrime specialists, who had been tracking the suspect for months. Authorities uncovered the scheme after the victim reported the suspicious activities when she became aware of the deceit.

Romance scams, especially on social media platforms like Facebook, have been on the rise, with scammers targeting vulnerable individuals seeking companionship. In response to this growing threat, South African authorities have intensified efforts to clamp down on such fraudulent activities, urging citizens to exercise caution while engaging with individuals online.

The suspect is currently in police custody, facing charges of fraud and cybercrime. Law enforcement agencies are hopeful that this arrest will serve as a warning to others involved in similar schemes.