Nigerian socialite Henry Ikeji has denied allegations linking him to a $2.5 million online romance and investment scam, describing the claims as a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation.
Ikeji spoke with AIT on Wednesday amid an ongoing review by the Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre of an investigative documentary that alleges he impersonated the Crown Prince of Dubai in a sophisticated online fraud.
The documentary, published by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, claimed a Romanian woman identified as Laura was contacted on LinkedIn by someone posing as the Dubai Crown Prince and later lost about $2.5 million in the scheme.
Responding to the allegations, Ikeji rejected claims that he defrauded the woman and questioned the narrative circulating online.
“The money was paid to me from a naira account. While I’m explaining this and saying all this, I feel like there is a targeted plan to destroy my reputation because, as it stands now, nobody believes me.
“All my people that believe in my reputation, they are all now doubting me.
“All my friends have flown away; everybody now is calling me a criminal. All over the internet is circulating that I scammed a Romanian woman,” he said.
Ikeji did not provide documentary evidence during the interview to support his claims but maintained that the accusations were affecting both his personal and professional life.
Police authorities have said they are still at the profiling stage of the investigation, analysing information already in the public domain.
Also Read
- 60 Diamond Years: Mohammed Idris, restorer of trust in public communication, by Rabiu Ibrahim
- Breaking: Hajj 2026: Inaugural flight moved from Ogun to Abuja, Kogi
- Coalition of Kogi Women purchase APC Senatorial forms for Yahaya Bello, says it’s reward for good governance
- 2027: Surulere leaders endorse ex-Sanwo-Olu aide for Lagos Assembly seat
- Obi, Kwankwaso to exit ADC on Monday — Galadima
A senior police official told the press last week that investigators have yet to receive a formal complaint from the alleged victim or the documentary producers and will gather more evidence before determining the next steps.
The National Cybercrime Centre has not announced any charges against Ikeji.
It also remains unclear whether a formal complaint has been filed by the alleged victim with law enforcement authorities in Nigeria or abroad.
