How Father, Daughter Romance Syndicate Scammed Swiss Woman Of N86 Million

A father and daughter syndicate operating from Port-Harcourt fleeced a Swiss woman of N86.4 million through an online dating scheme with the promise of marrying her, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt was told on Tuesday.

Igweneme Moses was indicted with his daughter, Nkiruka Blessing of fraudulently obtaining N86.4 million ($240,000) from a Swiss woman, Chantai Helene Maedery by falsely presenting a false picture of a man willing to marry her.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which investigated the case Igweneme Moses, 65 before Justice A. T Mohammed on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering contrary to Section 18 and punishable under Section 15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As amended).

Specifically, Moses was docked for defrauding a Swiss, the sum of $240,700 (Two Hundred and Forty Thousand Seven Hundred American Dollars) though several criminal disguises of love and promise of marriage.

He pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

In view of his plea, Prosecuting Counsel, A. Osu, prayed the court to fix a date for commencement of trial. However, Counsel to the defendant, C.V Oforleta made an oral application for bail of his client to enable him prepare for his defence. The application was, however,  turned down by the judge who ordered him to place a formal application for bail before the court.

Justice Mohammed ordered that the defendant’s case file be transferred to a vacation judge pending his formal bail application.  He also ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody. 

Troubles started for Moses when the EFCC was petitioned by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on behalf of Switzerland Government, concerning Chantai Helene Maedery, a Swiss that was defrauded by a two- man syndicate comprising Moses and his daughter, Igweneme Nkiruka Blessing (now at large) through  fraudulent  online dating schemes.

The petitioner alleged that the defendant “was involved in the act of fraud for commercial gain (Romance Scam) while pretending to be someone else through a dating app “Bumble.com” as of 19th February, 2018 and promised to marry Chantai Maedery  with the hope of building a future together in Switzerland”.

The petitioner also alleged that Moses and daughter feigned several different emergency situations and various other problems that ensnared Maedery into making a total of sixteen (16) different money transfers amounting to Two Hundred and Forty Thousand, Seven Hundred Dollars ($240,700). 

Investigations showed that the syndicate had also defrauded other foreigners through their fraudulent dating schemes. 

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