The Niger State Police Command has apprehended an 18-year-old identified as Victor Ugwu for allegedly posing as a woman to defraud unsuspecting men through social media dating scams.
According to a statement released on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, the suspect, who resides on Easy Life Street along Kaduna Road, was arrested on October 16, 2025, by officers from the Maje Division. The arrest took place after Victor was spotted arguing publicly with a resident identified as Peter.
Abiodun explained that Peter had reported meeting Victor about a year ago and had requested his help in connecting with one of Victor’s supposed female colleagues. However, instead of facilitating the introduction, Victor allegedly disguised himself as a woman—taking photos in wigs and female clothing—and sent them to Peter via social media while asking for money.
“During a search of the suspect’s residence, police recovered a wig and women’s clothing believed to have been used in the deception,” the statement read.
Further investigation revealed that Victor had been sharing these pictures on Facebook and TikTok, where he posed as a woman to lure victims into online relationships and solicit money. He also confessed that he engaged in the act to gain more followers and reach the one-thousand-viewer threshold required for social media monetisation.
“The suspect admitted to creating fake profiles and using them for dating scams, as well as for increasing his online visibility,” Abiodun added, confirming that the case remains under investigation.
The police have since urged the public to exercise caution when interacting with people online, especially those they have never met in person. Authorities emphasised the need for individuals to verify digital identities and avoid sharing personal or financial information with strangers.
This incident highlights the rising trend of online scams and identity fraud in Nigeria, where fraudsters increasingly use social media platforms to deceive victims for financial gain.
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