India nabs Nigerian man over love scam

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force has arrested a 37-year-old Nigerian national over an alleged cyber fraud in which criminals reportedly created fake foreign identities, built relationships with victims, and later impersonated customs and tax officials to extort money.

The suspect, who was identified as Nwogu Osinachi, was arrested around 1.50pm on August 11 from a house in Kamal Vihar, Burari, Delhi, in India.

According to the Times of India, the native of Imo State was wanted in connection with FIR No. 33/2026 registered at the Madeyganj police station in the Lucknow Commissionerate.

A Superintendent of Police, Vishal Singh, said the case was reported by a resident of Daliganj, who was allegedly defrauded of about Rs 68 lakh, approximately N98.1m.

Singh was quoted as saying that the victim was first contacted on Facebook by a person using the name, Doris William, who claimed to be a British citizen. The alleged fraud began with what appeared to be an innocent friendship, as the fake profile gradually gained the victim’s trust.

The conversation later shifted to promises of expensive gifts, dollars and pounds being sent to India, while the victim was allegedly informed subsequently that a parcel containing the gifts and foreign currency had been intercepted at an airport after customs officials detected the items.

The fraudsters allegedly changed identities, posing as customs and income aax officials and demanding payments for customs duty, income tax, GST and other charges to clear the consignment.

“To make the deception appear genuine, the gang also allegedly sent the victim a fake RBS certificate purportedly issued in the United Kingdom. Over the course of the fraud, the victim reportedly transferred around Rs 68 lakh,” Singh said.

The investigation led STF operatives from Lucknow to Delhi, where they uncovered the alleged involvement of Nigerian nationals in the fake-profile racket.

Two associates, Uchenwa and Obäse Prosper, were arrested on May 15 and July 18, respectively, while Osinachi remained at large.

But following technical analysis and intelligence gathering, the STF cyber team traced Osinachi to Kamal Vihar, Burari, where he was arrested.

Operatives recovered 11 mobile phones, a laptop, a passport, four ATM cards and 34 screenshots.

The screenshots reportedly contained photographs and videos of foreign women allegedly used to create fake social media profiles, as well as materials linked to impersonating customs officials.

Osinachi told investigators that he entered India on a business visa in 2022 but remained in Delhi after it expired.

He allegedly said other Nigerians introduced him to the fraud operation.

Osinachi reportedly admitted to carrying out the Rs68-lakh fraud with Uchenwa and Prosper.