LAGOS, Nigeria — The Airport Police Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 20-year-old man identified as Essien Emmanuel Akpama, described as a notorious celebrity scam and romance fraud suspect who defrauded multiple U.S. victims of over N1 billion.
Police said Akpama was apprehended on January 5, 2026, by the Command’s Anti-Fraud Unit while attempting to board a flight out of Lagos State. His arrest followed months of intelligence-led surveillance and monitoring based on credible tips, authorities said.
According to the police statement, Akpama, who previously lived in Calabar, Cross River State, relocated to Lagos on February 23, 2024, from where he allegedly coordinated several fraudulent schemes. In one reported incident, Akpama allegedly tricked a 47-year-old female U.S. victim into transferring $1 million under the guise of purchasing property in Florida for an orphanage.
The funds were reportedly solicited through a cryptocurrency scheme called “BullRun 2.0,” formerly known as “4 Way Mirror Money.” Investigators also allege that Akpama defrauded another U.S. victim, a 70-year-old woman, of approximately N25.7 million ($18,000), using a combination of gift cards, high-end mobile devices, and computer equipment shipped to Nigeria at his direction.
The Airport Police Command emphasized that the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to combat transnational crimes and prevent Nigerian airports from being exploited as escape routes for criminals. Authorities said investigations into the suspect and his network are ongoing.
