Businessman Henry Nzubechukwu Breaks Silence, Denies $2.5 Million Romance Scam

In a dramatic twist to one of the most sensational cyber fraud stories rocking Nigeria this year, prominent businessman and socialite Henry Nzubechukwu, popularly known as Nzube Henry Ikeji, has vehemently denied allegations of masterminding a sophisticated $2.5 million romance and investment scam by impersonating the Crown Prince of Dubai.

As chairman of Zube Sunstar Group of Companies and founder of the Nzube Ikeji Foundation, Ikeji insists the claims are “100 per cent false, malicious, and a desperate fabrication” designed to tarnish his reputation and sabotage his thriving business empire.

The explosive accusations surfaced in early February 2026 through an investigative documentary by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), titled “How We Tracked a ‘Fake Prince’ Scammer to his Nigerian Mansion.”

The report chronicles how a Romanian businesswoman, referred to only as Laura, was allegedly duped out of over $2.5 million in an elaborate online scheme that spanned three years.

According to the OCCRP, the fraud began when Laura was contacted via LinkedIn by an account posing as Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai.

The impersonator reportedly cultivated a romantic relationship while enticing her with promises of humanitarian investments in Romania, leading to multiple large transfers for supposed projects and personal needs.

The scam allegedly unraveled due to infighting among the perpetrators. One disgruntled associate contacted Laura, exposing the ringleader’s true identity as Nzube Henry Ikeji and providing video footage of him at a luxurious mansion in Abuja, purportedly purchased with illicit funds.

The investigation also implicated a 60-year-old Nigerian, Dr. Martins Abhulimhen, as a key accomplice who allegedly posed as the prince’s financial manager.

OCCRP reporters traced the suspects using social media images and geolocation data, leading them straight to Ikeji’s doorstep in Nigeria’s capital.

In the wake of the documentary’s release on February 4, 2026, the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) swiftly announced an investigation, with Director Ifeanyi Uche describing the allegations as “serious” and promising a thorough probe.

Reports indicate involvement from authorities in Nigeria, the UK, and Romania, with some funds already seized, though no formal charges have been laid against Ikeji as of now.

Adding intrigue, the OCCRP documentary mysteriously vanished from YouTube just 24 hours after its upload, sparking speculation of powerful interventions to suppress the story.

Further controversy emerged with claims that Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has ties to Ikeji and allegedly hired IT experts to scrub online links to the scandal.

Sources allege Egbetokun’s caution against public photos stems from fears of them being “weaponized” in such exposés, highlighting the high-stakes connections in this case.

Ikeji, however, has cooperated with agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), attending invitations to clear his name.

Supporters portray him as a legitimate entrepreneur in gadgets, real estate, and philanthropy, with funds received from Abhulimhen allegedly tied to his Nigerian charity work.

This scandal has reignited debates on the rampant issue of online romance scams in Nigeria, often dubbed “Yahoo Yahoo” locally, which exploit digital trust to siphon millions globally.

As investigations unfold, Nigerians and the international community watch closely, questioning how such high-profile frauds persist and what it means for the country’s fight against cybercrime. NaijaChoice News will continue to monitor developments in this unfolding drama.