An investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has uncovered the identities of two highly connected Nigerians accused of posing as a Dubai prince and his financial manager to defraud a Romanian businesswoman of more than $2.5 million through a sophisticated romance and investment scam.
The findings, released in February, detail how Nzube Henry Ikeji, 31, founder of the Nzube Ikeji Foundation, allegedly impersonated the Dubai Prince, while 60 year old Dr. Martins Abhulimhen, founder of the Jose Foundation, is accused of acting as the prince’s financial manager. According to OCCRP, the scheme unfolded over nearly two years, beginning on LinkedIn and stretching across Nigeria, the United Kingdom and Romania.
OCCRP reported that Ikeji, posing as royalty, contacted the Romanian woman, identified only as Laura, claiming interest in investing in humanitarian projects in her country. What began as business outreach allegedly evolved into an online romance, during which the fake prince proposed marriage and convinced her to pay for their marital engagement based on what he described as custom.
The investigation stated that the supposed prince later directed Laura to meet his financial manager in London. Abhulimhen allegedly introduced himself under the alias Dr. Mathew Croos during the meeting, reinforcing the illusion of legitimacy surrounding the fake royal operation.
Over the course of the relationship, Laura wired more than $2.5 million to the alleged scammers. OCCRP said the London Metropolitan Police traced the funds to Abhulimhen’s accounts in the United Kingdom and Ikeji’s accounts in Nigeria.
Beyond the alleged fraud, OCCRP noted that both men maintained high profile public images and social connections. They have reportedly been pictured with powerful figures in Nigeria and abroad, including the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and his wife, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
The report added that the suspects also mingled with prominent social and business personalities such as Cubana Chief, Obi Cubana, Arthur Eze and other influential Nigerians, helping to project credibility around their operations.
In a separate account, OCCRP described how digital traces from LinkedIn messages led investigators from the fake prince’s online persona to what it called a “brand new mansion in Abuja,” exposing what it described as a millionaire lifestyle allegedly funded by romance scam proceeds.
“A Romanian businesswoman thought she was helping Dubai’s Crown Prince invest £200 million in a humanitarian foundation. She wasn’t,” OCCRP wrote. “By the time she discovered the truth, she’d already sent $2.5 million to a Nigerian scammer a man who’d spent years perfecting his royal impersonation.”
The organisation explained that the scheme relied on carefully constructed identities, fake advisers and emotional manipulation to sustain trust long enough to extract large sums of money from the victim.
The revelations have renewed attention on transnational romance fraud networks and the role of social media platforms in facilitating high value scams that cross borders and exploit personal relationships under the guise of investment and philanthropy.
Ademide Adebayo
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