Authorities in Malta have remanded a Nigerian national in prison for allegedly acting as a middleman in an online romance scam.

According to MaltaToday, 29-year-old Godonu Dele was arrested on money laundering and handling stolen property charges. He was also accused of playing a role in the fleecing of an elderly woman of her savings, amounting to €21,500.

Dele, who works as a plasterer/bricklayer, was reportedly arrested after Maltan authorities launched a separate investigation into two Nigerian individuals who were alleged masterminds of the scam.

The duo – Oliver Chamberline Chibuike, 38, and  29-year-old Collins Eguavoen were arrested on Sunday and dragged before the court on Monday on charges bordering on acts of money-laundering allegedly committed between January and March.

Dele, who Malta today described as tall and dreadlocked, was arrested as an offshoot of the investigation into Chibuike and Eguavoen. In court, the Nigerian reportedly protested silently with his lawyer as the charges of money laundering and handling stolen goods, were being read out on oath by inspector Sarah Zerafa.

He pleaded not guilty.

The court also froze all his assets.