A Nigerian socialite, Nzube Henry Ikeji, is at the centre of an international fraud investigation after being accused of posing as Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in an alleged online romance scam that reportedly cost a Romanian woman about $2.5 million.
The case came to light following a cross-border investigation by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which alleged that the suspect operated a sophisticated online network targeting foreign women searching for companionship. Investigators believe the scheme relied on fake identities, emotional manipulation, and staged financial arrangements to gain victims’ trust.
According to reports, the woman — identified only as Laura — said she was first approached on LinkedIn roughly three years ago by a man claiming to be the Dubai royal. Their early conversations reportedly focused on charity and humanitarian work, but over time the communication shifted into what she believed was a genuine romantic relationship.
As trust grew, Laura was allegedly encouraged to travel to London to meet a supposed financial manager who claimed to handle royal business affairs. British authorities later identified the individual as Martins Abhulimhen, who allegedly used a false identity during the meeting and presented himself as someone responsible for managing funds connected to the fake prince.
The victim was subsequently given login details to an online account showing an alleged balance of about £202 million in her name. She was told the funds were connected to business and humanitarian investments and that she would need to pay administrative and legal fees to gain access to the money.
Believing the process was legitimate, Laura reportedly made multiple payments over time, eventually transferring about £2.5 million before discovering that the account and financial arrangement were fraudulent. The deception reportedly collapsed after disagreements within the alleged fraud network exposed key details about those involved.
Investigators said they later traced Ikeji to Abuja through public social media posts where he displayed an opulent lifestyle, including luxury cars, expensive shopping trips, and multiple high-end properties. These online activities reportedly helped journalists connect him to the alleged operation.
When contacted about the allegations, Ikeji denied any involvement in fraud but acknowledged knowing Abhulimhen. He claimed that funds linked to him were voluntary donations meant for his foundation rather than proceeds from any scam.
Meanwhile, a UK court has reportedly seized about £113,000 from Abhulimhen’s bank account as part of efforts to compensate the victim. Authorities in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and Romania are continuing investigations into the case, and no formal criminal charges have been announced against Ikeji at the time of reporting.
