Nigerian Suspect Arrested in Istanbul Over $2.5 Million Fraud Targeting Hong Kong Dentist

Turkish police have arrested a Nigerian national in Istanbul suspected of defrauding a Hong Kong dentist out of $2.5 million. The victim, identified as Siu P.Y.F., reportedly met the suspect online in 2020 through a dating site. The man, who identified himself as Richard, posed as an American businessman.

Their online relationship progressed to phone calls, and after years of only speaking remotely, they decided to marry. The suspect then contacted Siu P.Y.F. claiming he was in Istanbul for an investment and needed money. Believing his story, the dentist transferred a total of $2.5 million to bank accounts provided by the suspect between 2020 and 2022.

When Siu P.Y.F. could no longer reach the man she expected to marry, she reported the incident to the Hong Kong police. Despite an investigation, Hong Kong authorities made little progress. The victim then authorized a lawyer to file a complaint with the Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office.

An investigation by the Istanbul Anti-Fraud Bureau led to the identification and arrest of five individuals whose bank accounts were used to receive the funds. Four of them claimed no recollection of the events, but one suspect admitted to passing the money to a Nigerian individual known as Richard. Police quickly apprehended Kingsley O., the Nigerian suspect, who denied the accusations during questioning at the Public Order Branch Directorate. The investigation into the case is ongoing, with six suspects referred to the courthouse.