Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 33-year-old Mbah Chidinma Sophina for allegedly defrauding a victim of N19 million and €8,370 under the pretext of procuring a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for work in the United Kingdom.
According to the EFCC, the suspect allegedly met the petitioner on TikTok in 2024, where she claimed to be an Assistant Psychologist at Priory Health Unit in Glasgow, Scotland, and assured him she could secure a CoS at a cost of €12,000–€13,000.
“She instructed that payments be made partly in Nigerian Naira and partly in Euros. She provided her bank details for Naira payments and the foreign accounts of her associates for Euro payments, claiming she does not use her personal foreign accounts for business transactions,” the petitioner said.
The petitioner reportedly paid N19 million in eight tranches between August and November 2024, while Euro payments were made in four installments.
However, despite acknowledging receipt of the funds, Sophina failed to deliver the promised document. When the petitioner requested a refund, she allegedly sent a fake transfer notification before blocking him on social media.
During investigations, the suspect claimed the funds were handed to another person but has been uncooperative in helping authorities reach that individual.
The EFCC stated that Sophina will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.