A 43-year-old Nigerian identified as Kingsley O. has been arrested in Turkey for defrauding a Hong Kong dentist of $2.5 million through a romance scam built on false promises of marriage.
Kingsley and four alleged accomplices were apprehended in Esenyurt, a district in Istanbul Province, following an investigation into claims that they swindled a female dentist, identified as Siu P.Y.F., out of millions of dollars.
According to Turkish media outlet Haberler, Kingsley allegedly posed online as a wealthy American businessman named Richard when he began communicating with the victim in 2020. The relationship reportedly developed into what the dentist believed was a genuine romance that would culminate in marriage.
Investigators said Kingsley later told the woman he was in Istanbul pursuing an investment opportunity and urgently needed financial support. Trusting him and anticipating their future together, the dentist reportedly transferred a total of $2.5 million in installments to several bank accounts in Turkey between 2020 and 2022.
The fraud came to light after Kingsley reportedly stopped responding to the victim’s calls and messages, prompting her to alert authorities. Turkish police traced the funds to multiple bank accounts and initially arrested five account holders.
Police said four of the suspects claimed they could not recall the transactions, while one admitted handing over money received in the account to a Nigerian man known as “Richard.”
Further investigations reportedly revealed that the man behind the online persona was Kingsley O., a Nigerian national.
Kingsley and his accomplices have since been charged to court. However, he has denied the allegations against him.
The post Nigerian-American Billionaire Arrested In Turkey Over $2.5m Romance Scam appeared first on Information Nigeria.
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