EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Fraud Suspect Discovered Living Lavishly in Dubai
In mid-December, 30-year-old Nigerian Friday Adejoh shared a video on Instagram, enjoying a luxury yacht cruise off the coast of Dubai.
“Life in 2024… amazing,” he captioned the post.
However, his alleged victim would likely disagree.
Wanted for a Multi-Million Dollar Scam
According to a U.S. indictment filed in February 2024, Adejoh is wanted for allegedly running a “romance scam.” Authorities claim he and his associates defrauded multiple people, including an e-sports athlete who lost $1.3 million in Bitcoin.
Shortly after cashing out that cryptocurrency, Adejoh purchased two properties in Dubai worth a total of $860,000. Dubai Land Department records reveal he used a passport from St. Kitts and Nevis for these transactions in 2020. He still owns a one-bedroom apartment in the high-end SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences in Business Bay.
How the Scam Worked
Prosecutors allege that Adejoh created a fake dating app profile under the name “Mabel.” Using this persona, he built trust with Victim 1, an e-sports professional from Orange County, California. Working with his Nigerian associate, Chekwube Mefoh, he then lured the victim into investing Bitcoin through a fake trading platform, “Whalepool.tech.”
The scammers allegedly convinced the victim to deposit Bitcoin into wallets they controlled, promising commissions in return. U.S. authorities say the full list of conspirators remains unknown.
A Life of Luxury in Dubai
Neither Adejoh nor Mefoh responded to requests for comment. Shortly after journalists reached out via Instagram, Adejoh deleted his social media accounts. However, reporters had already saved screenshots of his lavish lifestyle.
His Instagram, under the handle “jerradpb,” showcased exotic cars, luxury trips, and expensive possessions. One post captured him petting a tiger at a zoo. Another showed him sitting on a BMW motorbike, while others featured him posing with a yellow Lamborghini Urus.
“Lamborghini or Ferrari?” he asked in one post last August.
Later, he added: “I love Porsche too.”
