The Airport Police Command has apprehended a 24-year-old individual named Precious Onudhona on suspicion of conducting a romance scam amounting to N48.5 million in Lagos.
According to the police spokesperson, ASP Mohammed Adeola, who provided details in a statement on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Onudhona, originally from Delta State, presented himself as an American doctor named 'Travis Kevin' on social media platforms to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims. He allegedly fabricated a banking website to display false account balances.
Onudhona was taken into custody on February 2 while he was preparing to board a flight from Lagos to Asaba, Delta State, acting on credible intelligence received by law enforcement.
ASP Adeola stated that the suspect claimed the funds were intended for nourishment and medical supplies due to injuries purportedly sustained during his duties.
The police further disclosed that their Anti-Fraud Unit is committed to combating criminal activities that exploit the aviation sector. The scam involved a total amount of N48,500,000 (Forty-Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira), translating to about $35,000.
"The arrest resulted from actionable intelligence. The suspect, identified as Precious Onudhona, a male from Delta State, was caught at the airport while attempting to take a flight to Asaba," the statement noted.
Initial investigations indicated that Onudhona had joined a group involved in romance scams since 2023.
The fraudulent group was reportedly targeting naive individuals on various social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram, by using carefully crafted false identities and misleading stories.
Reports suggest that Onudhona assumed the identity of 'Travis Kevin,' a fictional white American physician, and set up a fake banking site to show fabricated account statements to manipulate victims into providing financial assistance.
He allegedly deceived victims into believing that they would be reimbursed shortly, claiming the money was needed for food and medical care following injuries he had sustained in the line of duty, which he falsely asserted resulted from cryptocurrency dealings.
The Commissioner of Police at the Airport Police Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, Mnips, PhD, has mandated a thorough investigation to ensure justice and to identify and capture additional members of the fraud ring.
She reiterated the Command's strong stance against any form of illegality within the airport environment, emphasizing the need to maintain the aviation sector as a secure and lawful area.
"The suspect will be handed over to the Interpol section for further investigation and prosecution," she confirmed.
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