₹100 Crore Cyber Fraud Racket Exposed in Meerut, Nigerian Among Those Arrested

The420.in Staff
3 Min Read

The Meerut police have busted a ₹100 crore fraud racket that operated across 18 states, arresting five people including a Nigerian national. The gang relied on fake social media and matrimonial profiles to lure victims, promising marriage or lucrative parcels from abroad, before coercing them into transferring large sums of money.

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How the Scam Worked

The investigation began after a schoolteacher reported losing ₹94.78 lakh to fraudsters. She had been contacted by a man posing as a foreigner on social media who claimed to have sent her an expensive gift parcel. Soon after, impersonators posing as customs officials demanded payments to release the package, threatening her with legal trouble. Terrified, the teacher transferred money in multiple installments, only to realize later that she had been duped.

Police found that this was not an isolated case. The gang had created over 100 bank accounts and laundered money through mule accounts. They fabricated identities as doctors, NRIs, and business professionals on platforms like Instagram and Shaadi.com, gaining victims’ trust before defrauding them of their savings.

The Arrests and Recovery

Those arrested include Nigerian national Chinweoke Enmanuel Kanu, who had earlier run a travel agency before allegedly shifting to cybercrime during the COVID lockdown. His Indian accomplices, including Sangeeta Bahadur and Mamta, were picked up in Delhi and Noida. Police recovered a large cache of evidence including multiple ATM cards, SIM cards, POS machines, chequebooks, mobile phones, and fake documents used to operate the racket.

Investigators revealed that the network was highly organized, with members spread across states and funds diverted into luxury purchases and property abroad. Kanu is believed to have invested in vehicles and real estate in his home country using the proceeds of fraud.

Police Action and Wider Concerns

Meerut police confirmed that 37 FIRs across the country were linked to the accounts used by this gang. Assets have been frozen and further investigations are underway to trace the wider syndicate. Officials emphasized that such scams are increasingly blending technology with psychology, preying on emotional vulnerabilities through fabricated relationships.

Cyber experts warn that online platforms, when misused, can become tools for large-scale fraud. Authorities urged citizens to remain vigilant, avoid sharing personal or financial details with strangers, and verify all claims before making any transfers. Victims have also been advised to use the 1930 cybercrime helpline or report cases at cybercrime.gov.in.

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