Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a 33-year-old woman, Mbah Chidinma Sophina, for allegedly defrauding a victim of ₦19 million and €8,370 in a fake United Kingdom relocation scheme.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, disclosed that Sophina was apprehended by operatives of the commission’s Enugu Zonal Directorate over allegations of criminal breach of trust and obtaining money under false pretences.

According to the commission, the suspect allegedly deceived the victim by promising to secure a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a key document required for foreign workers seeking employment in the United Kingdom.

Oyewale explained that the victim, in a petition submitted to the EFCC, stated that he met Sophina on TikTok in 2024 while discussing his plan to relocate to the UK to work as a caregiver.

Sophina allegedly claimed she worked as an assistant psychologist at the Priory Health Unit in Glasgow, Scotland, and told the victim she had connections that could help him obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship for between €12,000 and €13,000.

The victim said the suspect instructed him to make payments partly in naira and partly in euros. She allegedly provided her personal bank details for the naira payments and directed that the euro payments be transferred into foreign accounts belonging to her associates, claiming she did not use her own foreign accounts for business transactions.

Investigations revealed that the victim paid ₦19 million in eight instalments between August 8 and November 12, 2024. He also transferred €8,370 in four separate payments between August 12 and November 21, 2024 for the processing of the document.

However, after confirming receipt of the funds, Sophina allegedly failed to provide the promised Certificate of Sponsorship.

When the victim later demanded a refund after waiting several months, the suspect reportedly sent a fake transfer alert and subsequently blocked him on social media.

Oyewale added that during interrogation, the suspect claimed she had handed the money over to another individual but had refused to assist investigators in identifying or locating the person.

The EFCC said Sophina would be charged to court once investigations are concluded.