The Digest:
The Airport Police Command in Lagos has arrested a 24-year-old man, Precious Onudhona, for his alleged involvement in a fraud scheme totaling ₦48.5 million (approximately $35,000). According to the police, Onudhona was apprehended on February 2, 2026, while attempting to board a flight to Asaba, Delta State. Investigations reveal he joined a syndicate in 2023 that used fake social media identities, including posing as an American doctor named “Travis Kevin”, to deceive victims through romance scams and fabricated financial appeals.
Key Points:
• Individuals targeted through social media face significant financial and emotional harm from such elaborate scams.
• The use of cryptocurrency in these schemes complicates financial tracking and recovery for victims.
• The syndicate benefits from anonymity and social engineering, while victims lose savings and trust.
• This arrest signals ongoing efforts to secure travel hubs from being used as escape routes for fraudsters.
• Increased vigilance is required as criminals increasingly blend online fraud with physical mobility.
The case highlights the evolving nature of financial fraud and the continued need for public awareness and robust inter-agency collaboration.
Sources: Daily Trust
