The Nigeria Police Force has begun an investigation into a viral documentary that accuses a Nigerian socialite of posing as the Crown Prince of Dubai to defraud a foreign businesswoman of millions of dollars.
The probe is being handled by the National Cybercrime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force. The Commissioner of Police in charge of the centre, CP Uche Ifeanyi, confirmed the development on Thursday during a press briefing.
According to Ifeanyi, the police are already studying the documentary and other information circulating in the media, even though no formal complaint has yet been submitted to the police by the documentary makers or the alleged victim.
“I tell you, we were able to intercept that case that is actually trending now. Just this morning, I summoned my people to conduct a profiling and analysis of the facts that we’ve seen,” he said.
The documentary alleges that a Nigerian man, identified as Nzube Henry Ikeji, pretended to be the Crown Prince of Dubai and used the false identity to carry out a romance and humanitarian investment scam. The report claims the scheme cost a Romanian businesswoman, identified only as Laura, about $2.5 million.
The police commissioner explained that investigators are currently relying on information already available in the public space while their review continues.
“We’ve not been contacted by the YouTuber, so what we have on the ground is information that is already out there in the media. We are analysing this and we’re going to do justice to it,” Ifeanyi said.
He stressed that the Nigeria Police Force would not ignore the case simply because it emerged from a documentary or social media investigation rather than a formal petition.
“It’s a very serious issue, and the Nigeria Police Force cannot sweep it under the carpet. Whether it’s coming from a YouTuber or a petition, it’s a complaint and we’re going to treat it seriously,” he added.
The documentary was published by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global investigative journalism group known for exposing corruption and financial crimes. Since its release, the report has sparked widespread discussion online, especially among Nigerians concerned about the country’s image and the growing problem of cybercrime.
According to the documentary, the alleged fraud began about three years ago. The victim was reportedly contacted on LinkedIn by an account claiming to belong to the Crown Prince of Dubai. Over time, the relationship developed into what was described as a mix of romance and humanitarian investment discussions.
The report claims the suspect convinced the victim to send large sums of money for supposed charitable projects and personal needs, using the prestige and influence associated with Dubai’s royal family to gain her trust.
The documentary further alleged that internal disagreements among those involved in the scheme eventually led to its exposure. One of the alleged partners reportedly became unhappy and decided to reveal the truth to the victim.
According to the report, this individual contacted Laura and disclosed that the person she believed was the Dubai Crown Prince was actually a Nigerian named Nzube Henry Ikeji. The whistleblower allegedly backed up the claim by sending a video of Ikeji at what he described as his newly acquired mansion.
The documentary team also reported that they travelled to Abuja as part of their investigation. There, they met with a Nigerian journalist, Chikezie Omeje, who helped them track the alleged impersonator.
By examining Ikeji’s Instagram account and that of his wife, the team claimed they were able to locate him and gather further details about his lifestyle and movements.
The Nigeria Police Force has not confirmed any of these claims and has not declared Ikeji guilty of any crime. Police officials say their investigation is still at an early stage and will be guided by evidence and due process.
CP Ifeanyi also used the opportunity to speak more broadly about cybercrime in Nigeria and the growing role of digital platforms in exposing such cases. He revealed that the police have, in the past, worked with YouTubers and other online content creators to resolve cybercrime-related cases, especially those involving online investment fraud.
He noted that while some online reports may lack full details, they can still provide useful leads for investigators.
Beyond the specific case, the police commissioner warned Nigerians to be careful about online investment schemes and relationships, especially those involving strangers met through social media or professional networking platforms.
“When an investment looks too good, people should ask questions,” he said. “If you suspect any, report to the Office of the Inspector General of Police, and we will do justice to it.”
Cybercrime has become a major concern for Nigerian authorities in recent years. With increased internet access and the use of social media, cases of online fraud, identity theft and romance scams have grown more complex and more international in nature.
Such crimes often involve victims from Europe, North America and Asia, and they frequently damage Nigeria’s reputation abroad. Security agencies have repeatedly said that while many Nigerians are hardworking and law-abiding, the actions of a few criminals continue to cast a shadow over the country.
The National Cybercrime Centre was established to handle cases involving online fraud, hacking, digital identity theft and other internet-based crimes. The unit works with local and international partners to track suspects, recover stolen funds where possible and prosecute offenders.
For now, the police say their focus is on verifying the claims made in the documentary and determining whether a crime was committed under Nigerian law. If sufficient evidence is found, the next steps could include inviting suspects for questioning or opening a full criminal case.