NEW DELHI, India — The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force has arrested a 37-year-old Nigerian man, identified as Nwogu Osinachi, for his alleged involvement in a cyber fraud scheme that preyed on individuals through fake online relationships and impersonation of officials.

Osinachi was apprehended on August 11 in Kamal Vihar, Burari, Delhi. He is reportedly wanted in connection with a case registered at the Madeyganj police station in Lucknow, where a resident of Daliganj was defrauded of approximately Rs 68 lakh, equivalent to about N98.1 million.

According to Superintendent of Police Vishal Singh, the victim was initially contacted on Facebook by an individual using the name Doris William, who claimed to be a British citizen. The purported friendship gradually developed, leading to promises of expensive gifts and foreign currency being sent to India.

The fraudsters then allegedly informed the victim that a parcel containing these items had been detained at an airport. Subsequently, they impersonated customs and tax officials, demanding payments for duties, taxes, and other charges to release the consignment.

To bolster their deception, the gang allegedly provided the victim with a fake Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) certificate purportedly issued in the United Kingdom. The victim reportedly transferred around Rs 68 lakh throughout the course of the elaborate scam.

The investigation by the STF cyber team led them from Lucknow to Delhi. They uncovered the involvement of Nigerian nationals in the fake profile racket. Two associates of Osinachi, Uchenwa and Obäse Prosper, were previously arrested on May 15 and July 18, respectively, while Osinachi remained at large.

Through technical analysis and intelligence gathering, the STF was able to trace Osinachi to his location in Burari, leading to his arrest. Recovered items from his residence included 11 mobile phones, a laptop, a passport, four ATM cards, and 34 screenshots.

The screenshots reportedly contained images and videos of foreign women, allegedly used to create fake social media profiles, along with materials related to impersonating customs officials. Osinachi reportedly told investigators that he entered India on a business visa in 2022 and stayed in Delhi after its expiration.

He allegedly stated that other Nigerians introduced him to the fraud operation and admitted to carrying out the Rs 68 lakh fraud with his associates, Uchenwa and Prosper.