An American lawyer, Nicole Kierulff Sayers, has testified against a Nigerian man, Nwachi Chidozie Kingsley, accused of defrauding her of $370,000 in a romance scam.
Sayers told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that she met Kingsley on Facebook and was convinced to send him money to finance a contract with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
Sayers explained that her relationship with Kingsley began innocently enough on Facebook, where he appeared charming and trustworthy. Over time, he convinced her that he was involved in a lucrative contract with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in Nigeria. Kingsley allegedly claimed that he needed financial support to complete the contract and promised Sayers substantial returns on her investment. Trusting him, Sayers decided to help him with the funds he requested.
She alleged that Kingsley and his entire family, including his parents, siblings, and daughter, conspired to defraud her, showing her fake documents and logos to convince her of the contract’s legitimacy.
To further gain her trust and convince her of the contract’s authenticity, Kingsley allegedly showed Sayers various documents that appeared legitimate. These documents included official-looking contracts and correspondence supposedly from the Nigerian government. Kingsley also introduced Sayers to his family members through phone calls and online video chats. Sayers claimed that Kingsley’s parents, siblings, and even his daughter participated in the scheme, all playing their parts to make the scam seem believable.
Sayers claimed she sent a total of $40,000 before traveling to Nigeria to meet Kingsley and another $200,000 over the next year, totaling $370,000.
Sayers detailed how, after sending the initial $40,000, she decided to travel to Nigeria to meet Kingsley in person. During her visit, she felt reassured by Kingsley’s warm reception and the continued presence of his family, who all seemed supportive of the purported contract. Feeling confident about the investment, Sayers continued to send more money over the next year, ultimately totaling $370,000.
The defendant’s family members, including his parents, siblings, and daughter, were present in court, and Sayers identified them as participants in the scam.
During the court proceedings, Sayers pointed out Kingsley’s family members who were present, identifying them as accomplices in the fraud. She recounted specific instances where each family member played a role in convincing her of the contract’s legitimacy. Sayers described how they would join video calls, provide reassurances, and even show her additional forged documents to bolster the scam’s credibility.
The trial has been adjourned until November 7, 2024, for continuation. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Kingsley on charges of stealing, obtaining by false pretense, and criminal possession of fake documents.
The case against Kingsley and his family is being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a Nigerian agency known for tackling financial crimes. The EFCC has charged Kingsley with multiple offenses, including stealing, obtaining money under false pretenses, and possessing counterfeit documents. The trial, which has garnered significant attention due to the international aspects of the scam, has been adjourned until November 7, 2024, for further proceedings. Sayers remains hopeful that justice will be served and that others will be warned about the dangers of online romance scams.
This case highlights the increasing prevalence of romance scams, where individuals are targeted online, often losing substantial amounts of money. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of verifying the authenticity of online relationships and being wary of requests for money, especially when the person involved is someone you have never met in person.
