Three Nigerians, identified as Lezhu John, Gibril Mohammed, and Egboola Ekena, have been arrested in Delhi for allegedly defrauding an Indian woman of over ₹2.62 lakh. They face a minimum of three years imprisonment if convicted under India’s cybercrime laws.
The arrests followed an investigation by the cybercrime police, who uncovered the suspects’ involvement in an online fraud scheme targeting victims across India. The suspects allegedly created fake social media profiles using stored photographs to deceive individuals into financial transactions.
Details of the Case
The case began when the victim lodged a complaint at the Cybercrime Police Station, reporting that she had been defrauded by a person she connected with on Instagram. One suspect, posing as “Sohn Yunmin,” claimed to be a U.S.-based chemical engineer heading to Assam for work. Over time, he manipulated her into transferring ₹50,000, followed by additional payments totaling ₹1.69 lakh.
The scheme escalated when another accomplice, posing as a customs officer, demanded additional payments for the clearance of a supposed parcel containing U.S. dollars. Realizing the scam, the victim approached the police, leading to an investigation that tracked the suspects via bank transactions.
Cybercrime Network Exposed
Authorities revealed that the suspects used over 500 bank accounts to execute the fraud, with more than 900 related complaints filed across India. ACP (Cybercrime) Vadodara, M.M. Rajput, described the operation as a widespread cybercrime racket, with the suspects allegedly linked to multiple victims.
Legal Implications
If convicted, the accused face penalties under Section 66D of the Indian Information Technology Act, 2000, which prescribes up to three years imprisonment and a fine for cheating by personation using digital platforms. The Indian Penal Code may impose additional penalties.
The arrests highlight the growing concern over cyber fraud in India, with officials urging the public to remain vigilant against online scams.