WorldStage– Nigeria’s anti corruption agency, the Economic and Finacial Crime Commission (EFCC) has arrested Nzube Henry Ikeji, a socialite and businessman based in Abuja, the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, for allegedly impersonating the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, to defraud a Romanian businesswoman of approximately $2.5 million.
The arrest followed a high-profile documentary released in February 2026 by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), titled “Exposed: Fake ‘Dubai Prince’ Tracked to Nigeria.”
The scheme allegedly involved Dr. Martins Abhulimhen, who posed as the “Prince’s financial manager” in London to facilitate the fraudulent transfers.
The arrest was revealed by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), an international investigative journalism network that recently released a documentary examining the alleged fraud operation.
According to the organisation, Ikeji was taken into custody by Nigerian authorities shortly after the documentary exposed details of the scheme and the individuals allegedly involved in it.
The scam began in 2023 when Ikeji reportedly contacted the victim on LinkedIn under the guise of investing in humanitarian projects. The interaction evolved into an online romantic relationship over two years, during which Ikeji allegedly proposed marriage and persuaded the victim to fund engagement expenses and other “fees”.
The victim was given access to a digitally doctored online account showing a balance of approximately £202 million in her name to lure her into paying “activation fees”.
The operation unraveled due to disputes among co-conspirators over the division of funds, leading one member of the syndicate to leak Ikeji’s true identity to the victim.
While Ikeji is in custody, formal charges have reportedly not yet been filed as of mid-March 2026, though investigations continue with potential cooperation from UK and Romanian authorities.
Authorities indicated that another potential victim from Romania has recently come forward.
Before his arrest, Ikeji denied the allegations, claiming the funds were legitimate donations to his foundation.
A spokesperson for the anti-graft agency said investigations are ongoing.
Investigation also linked another Nigerian, Martins Abhulimhen, to the scheme.
Abhulimhen, a 60-year-old who founded the Jose Foundation, allegedly acted as the “financial manager” to the fake prince.
In the alleged operation, he reportedly used the name “Dr. Mathew Croos” when meeting the victim in London.
Investigators said the victim was instructed to deal with Abhulimhen regarding financial transactions connected to the supposed investment projects.
According to investigation reports, the victim transferred more than $2.5 million over a period of about two years.
Authorities later traced the funds to bank accounts allegedly connected to the suspects.
The London Metropolitan Police reportedly tracked some of the payments to Abhulimhen’s accounts in the United Kingdom and to accounts linked to Ikeji in Nigeria.
The investigation also revealed that both men had been photographed at events with several influential individuals in Nigeria.
Among those mentioned were the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike.
They were also reportedly seen at social gatherings with business figures such as Obi Cubana and Arthur Eze.
However, investigators did not suggest that any of these public figures were connected to the alleged fraud.
Authorities have not yet announced when Ikeji may be formally charged in court.
The EFCC said investigations are continuing as it gathers evidence related to the alleged scheme.
The case highlights the growing problem of romance and online investment scams, where fraudsters impersonate wealthy or powerful individuals to build trust with victims before requesting money.
If proven in court, the alleged fraud could become one of the most high-profile international romance scam cases involving Nigerian suspects in recent years.
