Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has denied any involvement in an alleged $75,000 romance scam, describing reports linking him to the fraud as “false, malicious, and without any factual basis.”
The denial comes after a report surfaced online on Friday morning claiming that the actor was invited and was under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.
According to the viral report, a 49-year-old American woman identified as Kimberly Ann lodged a complaint alleging that she had been in an online relationship with someone posing as IK Ogbonna since 2025. The woman claimed she was defrauded of $75,000 during the course of the relationship.
The story quickly spread across social media and entertainment blogs, sparking reactions from Addressing the allegations directly, IK Ogbonna took to his Instagram story on Friday to set the record straight.
“This report is completely false, malicious, and without any factual basis,” the actor wrote. “I don’t support, or participate in any form of internet fraud, romance scams, or any other fraudulent activity.”
Ogbonna explained that this was not the first time his name and image had been misused by fraudsters. According to him, unknown individuals have repeatedly created fake social media accounts using his photos and identity to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
“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,” he stated.
The actor emphasized that he has never authorized anyone to represent him online, solicit money on his behalf, or engage in private conversations while pretendin
Celebrity impersonation and romance scams have become increasingly common in Nigeria and across the globe. Fraudsters often create fake profiles of popular actors, musicians, and influencers on Instagram, Facebook, and dating platforms. They then build relationships with victims, particularly people abroad, and solicit money for fake emergencies, travel, business, or medical reasons.
Law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC and the FBI, have warned the public several times to be cautious of online relationships that quickly turn into requests for money. The agencies have also urged celebrities to report cases of impersonation to help with investigations.
IK Ogbonna’s case is one of several involving Nigerian public figures whose identities have been hijacked for online scams. In recent years, other actors and musicians have had to publicly debunk similar claims after fans and foreign nationals reported being defrauded by imposters.
In his disclaimer, Ogbonna urged his fans and the general public to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to impersonators.
“Please remain vigilant and be extremely careful of impersonators and catfish accounts that exploit my identity to scam unsuspecting people,” he wrote.
He advised people to verify any account claiming to be him and to report suspicious profiles to the appropriate authorities. The actor also noted that all his official pages are verified and that he does not DM fans asking for money or personal information.
The EFCC has not released an official statement confirming or denying the alleged invitation or investigation as of the time of this report. The commission typically does not comment on ongoing investigations until charges are filed
The news of the alleged scam drew mixed reactions online. While some fans expressed shock, many others came to the actor’s defense, citing the prevalence of fake accounts using celebrity images.
Public relations experts note that false allegations like this can damage a celebrity’s reputation, even when they are quickly debunked. That is why many public figures now proactively address rumors to control the narrative.
IK Ogbonna, known for his roles in several Nollywood films and TV series, has built a reputation over the years as one of the industry’s recognizable faces. He has also been vocal about cybercrime in the past, urging young people to pursue legitimate means of livehood
Cybersecurity experts recommend the following steps to avoid falling victim to romance scams and celebrity impers No legitimate celebrity will ask fans or online acquaintances for money.
- Reverse image search: Fraudsters often steal photos. A quick Google image search can reveal if the pictures are being used elsewhere.
- Report and block: Report fake accounts to the social media platform and to law enforcement agencies like the EFCC.
The EFCC has a dedicated portal for reporting internet fraud and can be reached through As of now, IK Ogbonna remains uninvolved in the alleged $75,000 romance scam, and the actor has called on the public to disregard the report. The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of online identity theft and the need for greater public awareness.
Fans and well-wishers have continued to show support for the actor on social media, with many sharing his disclaimer post to warn others about the fake accounts.
For celebrities, the case is another reminder that fame in the digital age comes with the responsibility of constantly protecting one’s identity
