Nigerian gang leader lived in luxury and lavished money in Budapest after scamming wealthy women
On 8 January, Hungarian authorities arrested a 29-year-old Nigerian man in Budapest, suspected of being the leader of a fraudulent network that targeted wealthy women worldwide. The arrest follows earlier crackdowns by police in Hungary, where multiple members of the group were apprehended for their involvement in a series of scams.
The crime syndicate primarily operated through online dating platforms, where members sought to exploit middle-aged and elderly women. The scammers established false, caring personas to gain the trust of their victims, eventually fabricating emergency situations to ask for urgent financial assistance. According to police investigations, many victims were manipulated into sending substantial sums of money, with one victim losing up to HUF 70 million (EUR 170,000).
Despite the earlier arrests of several group members, including three foreign men and one Hungarian woman, the operation continued. Authorities soon identified the Nigerian man as one of the key figures in the ring. Much of the illicitly gained money was traced back to him, suggesting his central role in the operation. The suspect is believed to have lived a lavish lifestyle, wearing expensive clothing, financing luxurious travel, and spending large sums in Budapest’s nightlife.
Further investigation revealed that, at the suspect’s request, his girlfriend had opened a separate bank account to receive the proceeds from the scam. She has been charged with negligent money laundering but remains free while awaiting legal proceedings, the police reports. The Nigerian man is currently in police custody and has been formally charged with money laundering. The court has ordered his detention, and investigations continue into the full scope of the scam and its global reach.
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