FBI, EFCC Arrest 3 Nigerians and 4 Foreigners for Defrauding German Woman in Complex Global Cybercrime Case

In a major cross-border operation, the FBI and EFCC have arrested seven suspects—three Nigerians and four foreign nationals—accused of defrauding a German woman named Ms. Vera Rottstedt-Kraniz of thousands of euros through an international cyber fraud scheme.

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FBI, EFCC Arrest 3 Nigerians and 4 Foreigners for Defrauding German Woman in Complex Global Cybercrime Case

Eight individuals—four Nigerians and four foreigners—stand side-by-side in handcuffs and leg chains against a beige wall. Flanking the group are law enforcement agents from the FBI and EFCC, identifiable by their uniforms. The suspects appear serious and subdued. A bold blue banner at the bottom of the image contains a large white headline:

By GlobeStream Media Staff

Published: May 15, 2025

Location: Abuja, Nigeria | Munich, Germany | Washington, D.C.

In what authorities have described as a “textbook case of multinational cyber fraud and emotional exploitation,” seven individuals — including three Nigerian citizens and four foreign nationals — have been arrested following a joint operation between the FBI and Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The suspects are accused of orchestrating a large-scale romance and financial scam that defrauded a German woman, identified as Ms. Vera Rottstedt-Kraniz, out of more than €240,000.

This development marks one of the most significant international arrests of 2025 tied to romance fraud and digital deception, showcasing both the sophistication of cybercriminals and the growing collaboration among global law enforcement agencies.

A Scam Built on Trust and Technology

According to a joint investigative report released on Monday, the scammers used social engineering, emotional manipulation, and advanced digital camouflage to win over the 61-year-old German victim over the course of 16 months.

Ms. Rottstedt-Kraniz, a retired civil administrator living in Munich, Germany, met the initial scammer on a professional social networking platform in late 2023. From there, a web of identities — including individuals posing as U.S. soldiers, diplomats, engineers, and crypto investors — slowly infiltrated her online life. One of the fraudsters allegedly developed a fake romantic relationship with her, while others pretended to be associates requesting “urgent help,”investment support,” and even “visa and customs clearance fees.

By the time she realized she had been deceived, the criminals had already routed her funds through dozens of intermediary accounts in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Tracing the Digital Footprint

The case came to light when German cybersecurity authorities noticed irregular financial activity linked to overseas accounts. Upon review, officials flagged multiple suspicious transactions with Nigerian endpoints. Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) coordinated with INTERPOL, which passed the intelligence to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). From there, the FBI Cybercrime Division contacted the EFCC to assist in local surveillance and arrests.

The agencies launched Operation Silent Web, deploying undercover agents and tapping into digital forensics teams to monitor chat logs, bank flows, and encrypted phone communications. The investigation tracked activities to residences and rented office spaces in Lagos, Abuja, and Ogun State, where the seven suspects had been operating from. The Arrests On May 12, 2025, simultaneous raids were conducted on three properties. EFCC operatives — accompanied by FBI cyber liaison officers — apprehended three Nigerian nationals, along with a Romanian man, a Lebanese-Nigerian dual citizen, an Indian national, and a South African woman. The suspects had been living under aliases, with falsified immigration papers and forged employment credentials.

During the raids, authorities seized:

Over 15 smartphones, all containing traces of scam conversations
Fake U.S. military IDs, EU work permits, and multiple passports
Transaction receipts linking accounts in Dubai, Germany, and Ghana
Cryptocurrency ledgers totaling over $94,000 in Bitcoin and Tether
Photographs of the victim and documents used to manipulate her emotionally

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale noted,
The suspects thought they could hide behind digital screens and foreign citizenship. But law enforcement is now global, and Nigeria will not be a safe haven for cybercriminals.

International Legal Ramifications

The suspects are currently held at the EFCC’s Abuja headquarters pending trial. They face charges including:

Cyber-enabled fraud
Criminal impersonation
Money laundering
Forgery of official documents
Conspiracy to defraud

The governments of Germany and the United States have submitted preliminary extradition requests, particularly due to cross-border financial crimes and identity theft violations. Nigerian courts will determine whether local prosecution or extradition will proceed first.

FBI Assistant Director for Cyber Operations Rachel Lawton praised the EFCC’s cooperation:

What happened to Ms. Rottstedt-Kraniz is unforgivable — but through unified action, we’ve taken one step closer to justice. This case is a model for how cybercrime must be tackled: jointly, swiftly, and across borders.

The Victim’s Voice

In a written statement delivered by her attorney in Munich, Ms. Vera Rottstedt-Kraniz shared her emotional turmoil:

I gave my trust, my compassion, and my money to people who never existed. I was not just scammed — I was emotionally tortured. I’m relieved that someone finally listened, and I pray no one else goes through what I did.

She has also called for greater awareness campaigns in Europe targeting elderly internet users who may be vulnerable to romance scams and fake online investment proposals.

What Happens Next?

Legal experts anticipate that the prosecution process will unfold over several months, with both EFCC and FBI teams compiling evidence to ensure airtight convictions. The Nigerian suspects may face trial domestically, while the foreign nationals could be extradited.

Meanwhile, EFCC has urged Nigerian citizens to be cautious about engaging in “side gigs” online that involve financial routing, account leasing, or “relationship management” services. Many of these so-called gigs are fronts for international criminal networks.