You have got a gift scam: Two Nigerian Nationals Arrested from Delhi, Here is How They Ran the Syndicate

Aligarh: This lockdown Nigerian scamsters have duped thousands of Indians by conning them by becoming friends on social media and then pretending to send expensive gifts to them. Cyber experts claim as the entire nation was forced to stay at home due to pandemic many resorted to social media looking for new friends and connections making them more vulnerable to such crimes.

Aligarh police of Uttar Pradesh have arrested two Nigerian nationals and a local who was living in Delhi and scamming people across India. The arrest came while investigating a fraud case registered by an Aligarh resident Bhagwati Dutt Sharma who lost Rs 31 to such conmen.

The police said that Nigerians befriended victims on social media network especially Facebook. They used to introduce themselves as a businessman from the UK or other European countries. “Gang member chatted with the victim for a few months. When the gang gauges that they have gained the victim’s trust then they tell them that they are sending some gifts—few dollars, an expensive phone and some jewellery,” said an officer investigating the case.

Then a few days later, the victim gets a call from another conman who identifies himself as customs officer from Delhi Airport asking for duty to get the gift parcel released.

Once the victim is under their trap, conmen trick them to pay money on the pretext of the processing fee, customs duty, documentations and other charges. But, till the time they find out that they have been duped it gets too late.

Acting swiftly, Aligarh police through technical surveillance tracked these scamsters to Delhi where a raid was conducted and two Nigerian nationals were arrested who were identified as John Bull and Marvellous. They were being assisted by a local resident – Sumir who has also been held.

Police said that Nigerians nations have duped many Indian through the same modus-operandi and were living in India on an expired visa. The kingpins had made fake visas and were involved in cybercrime.

Police are now trying to ascertain the amount of money made by them as they used to send a large chunk of money back to Nigeria.