Popular Nollywood actor Bolanle Ninalowo has expressed shock after learning that a fraudster impersonating him allegedly scammed a woman of N33 million.
The actor took to Instagram to share a copy of the victim’s petition, filed with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in which she accused one Bolanle Azeez of pretending to be Ninalowo to obtain the money.
In his reaction, Ninalowo, visibly stunned by the amount involved, questioned how anyone could fall for such a scheme. “Which kine juju be this naa?” he wrote in disbelief.
Expressing further shock, the actor revealed that he has never been paid such a sum for a Nollywood role. “This one loud ooo. N33,000,000 for wetin? Even Nollywood wey blow me never pay me N33 million per film,” he said.
The incident has sparked renewed concerns over the growing number of impersonation and celebrity scam cases in Nigeria, particularly on social media.
This is not the first time Ninalowo has had to deal with impersonators exploiting his name for fraudulent purposes. In 2023, a man was sentenced to prison for impersonating the actor and defrauding unsuspecting victims.
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More recently, in March 2025, the Picture-Perfect star lamented on social media about the rise of fake accounts created in his name on TikTok and other platforms. He said such impersonations have led to innocent fans losing money to online fraudsters posing as him.
“I have lost count of the number of fake accounts using my pictures and name,” Ninalowo wrote earlier this year. “I can’t even imagine how many innocent people have been duped. It is frustrating.”
Celebrity impersonation has become a major concern in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with several actors and musicians raising alarms about scammers using their names to deceive fans.
Experts say many of these scams prey on emotionally vulnerable victims, offering fake promises of romantic relationships, job opportunities, or business investments. In most cases, victims are asked to send money, often believing they are directly supporting their favorite star.
The EFCC has warned the public to remain vigilant and to verify any claims of financial requests from celebrities or their management teams. The anti-graft agency continues to investigate cases of impersonation, including Ayano’s petition against Bolanle Azeez.
Bolanle Ninalowo, popularly called “Makanaki,” is one of Nollywood’s most bankable actors, known for his roles in hit movies such as Shylock, Breaded Life, and Far From Home. His popularity has also made him a target for impersonators seeking to exploit his fame.
Despite the repeated scams, Ninalowo continues to engage with his fans online, urging them to remain cautious and avoid falling for fraudulent schemes.
For now, the actor appears more shocked than angry, using humor to process the news of the massive scam. But his message to fans is clear, be careful and do not trust anyone claiming to be him, especially when money is involved.
