2 Nigerian ‘love scam’ suspects nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday warned the public against “love scam” carried out by foreign and local extortionists following the arrest of two Nigerians who allegedly blackmailed a businesswoman for P400,000.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the scam has become rampant on social media platforms.

Eleazar said the scammers lure people into affinity and use personal information they have obtained to blackmail the victims for cash.

“In some cases, the suspects are Filipinos pretending to be foreigners. But foreigners also carry out these illegal activities,” he said.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation recently arrested Nigerians Felix Aondowaase and Emmanuel Abia in Cavite for allegedly extorting $8,000 from a businesswoman.

The suspects allegedly used a fake Australian man’s social media account to entice the victim and asked her to send intimate photos, which they used to extort cash.

The suspects denied the accusations.

“I advise the public to be wary of persons they connect with online.  The anonymity offered by the internet makes it a playground for scammers, especially during the pandemic when most of us are spending longer hours online,” Eleazar said.

Police also arrested the Filipino accomplices of the suspects during an entrapment operation.