An investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has identified two highly connected Nigerians allegedly involved in a sophisticated romance and investment scam in which a Romanian businesswoman was defrauded of more than $2.5 million.
According to the findings, Nzube Henry Ikeji, 31, founder of the Nzube Ikeji Foundation, allegedly posed as a Dubai prince, while Dr. Martins Abhulimhen, 60, founder of the Jose Foundation, is accused of acting as the prince’s financial manager. The scheme reportedly unfolded over nearly two years and spanned Nigeria, the United Kingdom and Romania.
OCCRP said the alleged scam began when Ikeji contacted the victim, identified only as Laura, on LinkedIn, claiming interest in investing in humanitarian projects in her country. What started as a business proposal allegedly developed into an online romantic relationship. During this period, the fake prince reportedly proposed marriage and persuaded the woman to pay large sums of money for what he described as customary marital engagement expenses.
The investigation said Laura was later directed to meet the prince’s supposed financial manager in London. Abhulimhen allegedly introduced himself under the alias “Dr. Mathew Croos,” reinforcing the appearance of legitimacy surrounding the operation.
Over the course of the relationship, Laura reportedly wired more than $2.5 million to accounts linked to the alleged perpetrators. OCCRP said the London Metropolitan Police traced the funds to Abhulimhen’s bank accounts in the United Kingdom and Ikeji’s accounts in Nigeria.
Beyond the alleged fraud, OCCRP noted that both men cultivated high-profile public images and social connections. They have reportedly been photographed with prominent political and business figures in Nigeria and abroad, including senior government officials and influential socialites, a factor investigators say may have helped lend credibility to the scheme.
Digital evidence reviewed by OCCRP reportedly linked the fake royal persona to luxury properties, including what the organisation described as a newly built mansion in Abuja, suggesting a lifestyle investigators believe may have been funded with proceeds from the alleged scam.
OCCRP said the case highlights how carefully constructed online identities, emotional manipulation and fake advisers are used to sustain trust in transnational romance fraud schemes long enough to extract substantial sums from victims.
The revelations have renewed scrutiny on cross-border online fraud networks and the role of social media platforms in enabling high-value scams that exploit personal relationships under the guise of investment and philanthropy.