Nigerian movie star IK Ogbonna has denied reports linking him to a viral alleged romance scam, insisting the claims are false after they gained widespread attention on social media.
Reports circulating online on Friday alleged that the movie star had been invited and was being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation over an alleged $75,000 romance scam.
According to the reports, the complaint was reportedly filed by a 49-year-old American woman identified as Kimberly Ann, who claimed she had been in an online relationship with the actor since 2025. The allegations quickly gained traction across social media before IK Ogbonna publicly denied any involvement.
However, denying the report on his Instagram story, IK 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.”
While warning the general public against the imposters, he said “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.”
“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 wrote in the disclaimer post.
BACKSTORY:
IK Ogbonna is one of Nollywood’s most recognisable actors, having featured in numerous films and television productions over the years. Beyond his acting career, he has built a strong presence on social media, where he regularly shares updates about his personal life, fitness, and professional activities.
The actor has largely stayed away from major legal controversies, making the reports alleging his involvement in a romance scam particularly surprising to many fans. The claims quickly gained traction online after they surfaced on social media, prompting widespread reactions and speculation before Ogbonna publicly denied any wrongdoing.
