Nigerian actor IK Ogbonna denies involvement in alleged $75,000 romance scam

Nigerian actor IK Ogbonna has denied reports linking him to an alleged romance scam involving more than $75,000, describing the claims as false, malicious and entirely without merit.

The actor issued a statement on his Facebook page after reports surfaced online alleging that he had been invited for questioning by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), over an alleged romance scam involving a 49-year-old American woman.

Ogbonna categorically denied ever being involved in internet fraud or romance scams and insisted that the allegations circulating online had no factual basis.

“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.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time my name, image, and identity have been used by unknown individuals operating fake social media accounts to deceive unsuspecting members of the public. I would like to use this opportunity to state once again that I do not support, encourage, or participate in any form of internet fraud, romance scams, or any other fraudulent activity,” he wrote.

The actor went on to explain that online impersonation has been an ongoing issue, stressing that scammers have repeatedly created fake accounts using his identity to target unsuspecting victims.

He emphasised that he has never authorized anyone to represent him online or solicit money on his behalf and urged the public to verify any account claiming to belong to him.

“I have never authorized anyone to represent me online, solicit money on my behalf, or engage in private conversations pretending to be me.

“All of my official social media accounts are VERIFIED. If an account claiming to be me is not verified, it is fake. I do not operate secret, backup, or private accounts to communicate with fans,” he stated.

Ogbonna further cautioned fans and members of the public against sending money or engaging in private financial dealings with individuals claiming to be him on social media.

He reiterated that he does not privately communicate with fans in a manner that involves requesting money, gifts, investments or any other form of payment.

“If you are chatting with, sending money to, or engaging with anyone claiming to be me on social media, please know that it is NOT me. I do not privately entertain fans in that capacity, nor do I request financial assistance, gifts, investments, or any form of payment from anyone.

“Please remain vigilant and be extremely careful of impersonators and catfish accounts that exploit my identity to scam unsuspecting people. I sincerely appreciate everyone who takes the time to verify information before believing or sharing it. Together, we can help curb the spread of fake news and protect innocent people from online fraud,” he added.

The statement comes after reports emerged on July 10, 2026, alleging that the Nigerian actor had been invited by the EFCC in collaboration with the FBI over an alleged $75,000 romance scam.

According to the reports, a complaint was filed by a 49-year-old American woman identified as Kimberly Ann, who claimed she had been in an online relationship with someone she believed to be Ogbonna since 2025.

However, the actor has dismissed the allegations in their entirety, maintaining that the reports are fabricated and attributing the situation to individuals operating fake social media accounts while impersonating him online.



AK/EB