LAGOS: Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has strongly refuted reports linking him to an alleged $75,000 romance scam, describing the claims as false and malicious while urging fans to remain vigilant against fraudsters impersonating him on social media.
The actor broke his silence after online reports claimed he was being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over an alleged romance scam involving an American woman.
Responding to the allegations in a statement shared on his verified social media accounts, Ogbonna dismissed the reports as fabricated and insisted that he has no connection to any fraudulent scheme.
“My attention has been drawn to a false story currently circulating online alleging that I have been invited for questioning by the EFCC and FBI over a romance scam. This report is completely false, malicious and without any factual basis, he stated.
The actor explained that the latest controversy is another example of criminals exploiting his identity to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
According to him, unknown individuals have repeatedly created fake social media accounts using his name, photographs and public profile to carry out fraudulent activities without his knowledge or consent.
Ogbonna stressed that he has never participated in internet fraud, romance scams or any other criminal activity, adding that he has never authorised anyone to solicit money or communicate privately with fans on his behalf.
He urged members of the public to interact only with his verified social media accounts, noting that any account bearing his name without an official verification badge should be treated as fake.
“I have never authorised anyone to represent me online, ask for money on my behalf or engage in private conversations pretending to be me, he said.
The movie star warned fans against sending money, gifts or investments to anyone claiming to be him through unofficial accounts.
He emphasized that he does not operate secret, backup or private social media profiles to communicate with followers and advised the public to verify information before believing or sharing it online.
Ogbonna also appealed to internet users to report fake accounts and remain cautious of impersonators who exploit the identities of public figures to scam unsuspecting victims.
The actor thanked his supporters for their continued trust and encouraged them to rely only on information released through his verified platforms.
The allegations surfaced after reports claimed that a 49-year-old American woman had lodged a complaint alleging she had been deceived by someone posing as the actor in an online relationship, prompting speculation about a possible investigation. However, Ogbonna insists he has no involvement in the matter and says the reports wrongly associate him with the activities of impersonators.
This is not the first time the Nollywood star has battled identity theft. In 2023, Nigerian authorities arrested a suspect accused of impersonating Ogbonna and allegedly defrauding an American woman of about $70,000 through a romance scam, highlighting the recurring misuse of the actor’s identity by online fraudsters.
As online impersonation and romance scams continue to target social media users worldwide, Ogbonna urged fans to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any account claiming to represent celebrities before engaging in conversations or making financial transactions.
