Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has firmly denied reports linking him to an alleged $75,000 romance scam, insisting he has no involvement in any investigation by either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The actor reacted after online reports claimed he was being investigated over an alleged romance scam involving an American woman who reportedly believed she had been communicating with him online.
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Responding to the allegations in a statement shared on his social media platforms, Ogbonna described the reports as completely false, malicious and lacking any factual basis.
He stressed that he has never participated in internet fraud, romance scams, or any other criminal activity throughout his career.
IK Ogbonna dismisses the allegations
Addressing the rumours directly, the actor said the reports were fabricated and warned the public not to fall for misinformation.
According to IK Ogbonna, criminals have repeatedly created fake social media accounts using his identity to deceive unsuspecting people.
He explained that these impersonators often pretend to be celebrities to gain the trust of victims before requesting money or personal information.
Ogbonna said:
“This report is completely false, malicious, and without any factual basis. I don’t support or participate in any form of internet fraud, romance scams, or any other fraudulent activity.
“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.”
The actor added that he has never authorised anyone to represent him online or solicit money on his behalf.
Fake accounts continue to target fans
Ogbonna revealed that fake social media profiles impersonating him have existed for years, with fraudsters using his photographs and name to trick people into believing they are communicating with the real actor.
He urged fans and followers to remain vigilant whenever they receive unexpected messages from accounts 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.
“Please remain vigilant and be extremely careful of impersonators and catfish accounts that exploit my identity to scam unsuspecting people,” he said.
The actor noted that he does not ask fans for financial assistance, gifts or private payments through social media.
How the allegations emerged
According to reports circulating online, the allegations reportedly originated from a complaint filed by a 49-year-old American woman, identified as Kimberly Ann.
The woman allegedly claimed she had been communicating online with someone posing as IK Ogbonna since 2025.
She reportedly lost $75,000 during the interactions after believing she was speaking with the Nollywood actor.
However, Ogbonna maintains that he has absolutely no connection to the individual behind the fake account or the alleged fraud.
Ik Ogbonna also stated that he has not been contacted by the FBI, EFCC or any law enforcement agency regarding such allegations.
Celebrity impersonation remains a growing problem
Cybersecurity experts have repeatedly warned that scammers frequently impersonate celebrities, politicians and other public figures to target victims across social media platforms.
These fraudsters often create fake Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) profiles using publicly available photographs and videos.
After gaining victims’ trust, they sometimes request money, gift cards, cryptocurrency or other financial assistance under false pretences.
Several Nigerian celebrities have previously issued similar warnings after discovering fake accounts using their identities.
IK Ogbonna urges caution
The actor,IK Ogbonna, concluded by encouraging members of the public to verify social media accounts carefully before engaging with anyone claiming to be him.
He advised fans to rely only on his verified accounts and to report suspicious profiles impersonating him.
His latest statement also serves as another reminder of the dangers posed by online impersonation scams, which continue to affect thousands of internet users around the world each year.
While the rumours have attracted significant attention online, IK Ogbonna insists he has no involvement in any romance scam or criminal investigation and hopes his clarification will help prevent more people from falling victim to fraudsters exploiting his identity.
Learn more about online romance scams and how to protect yourself from impersonation fraud on the FBI’s official website: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/romance-scams
