Romance scam: EFCC returns $26,000 to 70-year-old British woman

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has returned $26,000USD to Christine Brown, a British national and a victim of internet fraud.

The commission in a statement on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, said the Briton was duped of her life savings by an internet fraudster posing as an American entertainer online after she got romantically involved with him.

Ms. Brown was presented with the sum of $26,000 by the Benin Zonal Command of the commission on Monday, August 28.

“Brown expressed gratitude to the Commission for its efforts which she said, has brought some succour to her after losing her life’s savings to the fraudsters,” the statement read.

"The 70-year-old had petitioned the Commission after being defrauded by an internet fraudster through a romance scam. Narrating her ordeal, Brown said she became a victim after she met a purported John Barrowman, an entertainer and citizen of America online

“Unknown to her, he was a fraudster. Brown said they became romantically involved, and the fraudster began to demand money which she sent to him through wire transfers, Bitcoin, and gift cards,”

Kanu Idagu, the Zonal Commander, while handing over the recovered fund, said the Commission will continue to discharge its mandate to the betterment of the society.

"We are doing a whole lot in ensuring that victims of fraud are restituted where possible, and we will continue to do more," he said.

He admonished the public to be circumspect in whatever they do online as fraudsters prowl the internet seeking to defraud unsuspecting victims.