Fake Lover Rips Off Women for £20,000 in Online Romance Scam
Osagie Aigbonohan, 41, from Lagos, Nigeria, has been slammed with a 28-month jail sentence after conning women out of £20,000 using multiple fake identities online. The fraudster preyed on vulnerable women through dating and social media sites, cheating one victim alone out of nearly £10,000.
Romance Ruse: ‘Tony Eden’ and the £9,500 Scam
Under the alias ‘Tony Eden’, Aigbonohan built a ten-month relationship last year with one woman he met on a dating site. He spun a sob story about his overseas business needing drilling equipment and claimed he was broke after paying for funerals following a tragic machinery accident. The victim handed over £9,500 in nine transfers to accounts registered under fake names—money that ultimately landed in Aigbonohan’s personal account.
Cold-Hearted Conman Targets Dozens, Including the Terminally Ill
- Phone data revealed Aigbonohan contacted over 670 people and scammed money from at least eight other victims.
- Shockingly, he even pursued a terminally ill woman after she had passed away.
- Despite living in Abbey Wood, London, he spent looted cash across London, Manchester, and Glasgow.
Arrest and Justice: National Crime Agency Steps In
Officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested Aigbonohan in July 2021. At the time, he was carrying a fake driver’s licence and living illegally in the UK, having overstayed his visa by two years.
“Aigbonohan had no regard for these women. He went to great lengths to gain their trust, fabricating stories to exploit them out of thousands,” said Dominic Mugan, NCA Operations Manager.
“Romance fraud is a crime that affects victims emotionally and financially, sometimes impacting families. We urge anyone who thinks they’ve been targeted to report it without shame.”
James Lewis of the Crown Prosecution Service added: “Romance fraud is a particularly callous offence, exploiting emotional needs to extract money. With Valentine’s Day looming, be extra cautious. This case sends a strong message to other fraudsters.”
How to Stay Safe on Dating Sites
- Don’t share too many personal details with someone you haven’t met.
- Stick to the dating site’s messaging platform until you meet in person.
- Never send money to online contacts, no matter how trustworthy they seem.
- If you suspect fraud, report it at ActionFraud.police.uk.
- Follow the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign for easy tips to spot scams.
