In a distressing incident, a female fan of Nollywood actor Bolanle Ninalowo has reportedly been defrauded of over ₦33 million by scammers impersonating the actor. The fraudsters allegedly used counterfeit documents, including a fake passport and bank ATM card bearing Ninalowo's likeness, to deceive the victim.
The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, believed she was in a romantic relationship with the actor. Over time, the impostors manipulated her into transferring large sums of money under various pretenses, exploiting her trust and admiration for Ninalowo.
Bolanle Ninalowo has previously raised alarms about such fraudulent activities. He shared images of the fake passport and ATM card on social media, warning fans to be cautious of individuals claiming to be him online.
"This is how far they go now to scam people," Ninalowo stated, emphasizing that he is not involved in any online solicitations and urging fans to verify identities before engaging in financial transactions.
The actor has also expressed frustration over numerous fake TikTok accounts created in his name, further complicating efforts to distinguish genuine interactions from fraudulent.
In a separate incident, Ninalowo distanced himself from a blackmail case involving a woman who was coerced into sending explicit images to a scammer posing as the actor. The fraudster later demanded $30,000, threatening to release the images if the ransom was not paid.
These incidents highlight a growing trend of scammers exploiting the identities of celebrities to defraud unsuspecting individuals. Fans are advised to exercise caution and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken action against such impersonators in the past. In February 2023, a fraudster who impersonated Ninalowo was sentenced to prison for obtaining money under false pretenses.
As the prevalence of online scams increases, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited communications, especially those involving financial requests or romantic propositions from supposed celebrities.
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