Owner of Reportera News, Ibezim Nnamdi, Nabbed After Allegedly Defrauding Nigerians in UK WhatsApp Group

 

Mr. Ibezim Emmanuel Nnamdi, the man widely known online as Mr. Iruefi and the chief executive officer of the media platform Reportera News, has been apprehended following serious allegations of fraud involving over ₦5 million. According to emerging reports, the digital media personality vanished after allegedly collecting the funds from members of a UK-based WhatsApp group under the pretense of a currency exchange transaction.

Eyewitness accounts and victims from the group claim the incident took place during what was meant to be a peer-to-peer naira-to-pound exchange. Nnamdi, acting under his alias "Mr. Iruefi," reportedly received the money and disappeared shortly after, cutting all known communication lines. The total sum he allegedly absconded with is estimated to be more than five million naira.

Panic spread swiftly through the online community once his official Twitter account, @iruefing, was found to have been deactivated—an action interpreted by many as an attempt to cover his tracks. Prior to this incident, Nnamdi had cultivated a significant social media presence and built Reportera News into a recognizable digital news outlet. His sudden disappearance shocked followers and associates alike, especially considering his public image as a vocal commentator on justice, governance, and accountability.

Efforts to trace him bore fruit when authorities reportedly tracked him to a concealed location, where he was arrested. At the time of his arrest, no formal public statement had been issued by Reportera News, raising further questions about the extent to which the media outfit may have been involved or aware of the activities of its CEO.

Those claiming to be victims of the fraud have been urged to report their experiences and evidence to law enforcement, as the case may unfold into a larger investigation. Online forums and social media channels have since been flooded with discussions about the scandal, with some users expressing disbelief while others call for broader scrutiny of individuals running digital platforms without transparency or accountability.

Although full details about his arrest and potential legal charges have yet to be disclosed, the case of Ibezim Emmanuel Nnamdi is quickly becoming a cautionary tale about misplaced trust and unchecked influence in digital spaces. The once-respected face of Reportera News now finds himself at the center of a criminal investigation, accused of betraying the very public that once championed his media efforts.

This development has sparked wider debates about fraud in online communities, especially in informal currency exchange groups, which often operate on trust rather than regulation. As more individuals come forward with claims and evidence, this case may evolve into one of the more high-profile fraud incidents tied to a digital media figure in recent memory.

Members of the public who may have transacted with Nnamdi or have relevant information are encouraged to contact the appropriate authorities.

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