Nigerian businessman and socialite Henry Nzubechukwu (also known as Nzube Henry Ikeji), chairman of Zube Sunstar Group of Companies and founder of the Nzube Ikeji Foundation, has publicly declared his innocence amid allegations that he orchestrated a sophisticated $2.5 million romance and investment scam by impersonating the Crown Prince of Dubai.
The claims stem from a high-profile investigative documentary released in early February 2026 by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), titled “How We Tracked a ‘Fake Prince’ Scammer to his Nigerian Mansion.” The report details how a Romanian businesswoman, identified only as Laura, was allegedly defrauded of over $2.5 million through an elaborate online scheme that began around three years ago.
According to the OCCRP investigation, Laura was initially contacted via LinkedIn by an individual posing as the Crown Prince of Dubai. The impersonator built a romantic connection and convinced her to transfer substantial sums for purported humanitarian investment projects and personal purposes. The fraud reportedly unraveled due to internal disputes among the alleged perpetrators, with one aggrieved associate later contacting Laura to reveal the scammer’s true identity as Nzube Henry Ikeji and providing video evidence purportedly showing him at a newly acquired mansion in Abuja.
The documentary traced the alleged scammer to Nigeria, highlighting his connections and lifestyle. Following its publication, the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) announced it would investigate the matter, describing the allegations as serious and warranting thorough review. Reports indicate that authorities in Nigeria, the UK, and Romania have been involved, with some funds reportedly seized, though no formal charges have been filed against Ikeji as of now.
In response to the swirling accusations, Henry Nzubechukwu issued a statement dismissing the claims as “100 per cent false, malicious, and a desperate fabrication” aimed at sabotaging his business interests. He described the allegations as defamatory and part of an orchestrated campaign of character assassination by disgruntled elements. Nzubechukwu emphasized that he has never engaged in fraud, romance scams, or impersonation of any kind.
He has reportedly honored invitations from agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to address the matter and clear his name. Supporters and associates have echoed his denial, asserting that he is a legitimate entrepreneur active in sectors like gadgets and real estate.
The case has sparked renewed discussions about the dangers of online romance scams, impersonation fraud, and the challenges of verifying identities in digital interactions. Romance scams continue to be a global issue, often exploiting trust to extract large sums from victims.
As investigations proceed, both the public and authorities await further developments in what has become one of the most talked-about cyber fraud stories in Nigeria this year.
