Nigerian socialite Nzube Ikeji has been accused of allegedly impersonating the Crown Prince of Dubai to defraud a Romanian businesswoman of more than $2.5 million, according to an investigation by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
The investigation states that the alleged scheme began around three years ago when a Romanian woman, identified as Laura, was contacted on LinkedIn by a man claiming to be the Crown Prince of Dubai.
The individual reportedly expressed interest in investing in a humanitarian project in Romania, before the online conversations evolved into a romantic relationship.
According to the report, the impostor later asked Laura to travel to London to meet his supposed financial manager in order to open a bank account. She was shown an account balance of over £200,000, which she later discovered was fake. When she attempted to withdraw money from the account, she was allegedly told to pay various fees.
OCCRP said Laura transferred more than $2.5 million in total before becoming suspicious and realising she had likely been defrauded.
The investigation further claimed that internal disputes among the alleged fraudsters led two accomplices to expose the scheme to Laura, identifying Nzube Ikeji as the person behind the fake Crown Prince identity. The accomplices reportedly shared videos showing Ikeji at a mansion in Abuja.
When confronted, the man allegedly denied the accusations, telling Laura: “They want to create enmity between us.”
Investigators said they traced Ikeji through social media posts and videos showing him in London shopping and later attending a music performance in Asaba, where he was seen spraying naira. An Instagram post by his wife reportedly helped identify his residence in Abuja.
According to OCCRP, when approached by a journalist, Ikeji denied knowing Laura and declined to answer questions about posing as the Dubai Crown Prince. He reportedly said enquiries regarding a UK-based associate, Martins Abhulimhen, should be directed to his lawyer.
The investigation links Abhulimhen to the case, identifying him as the alleged fake financial manager. UK police reportedly confirmed that Abhulimhen is under investigation over suspicious funds believed to be connected to Laura’s money, which investigators allege was transferred to Nigeria.
OCCRP said its investigation included a visit to Abuja, where journalists confirmed Ikeji’s residence and verified activities connected to the alleged impersonation and fraud scheme.
As of the time of reporting, no court ruling has been issued in the case, and all allegations remain subject to legal determination.
