India’s Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force has arrested a 37-year-old Nigerian national over an alleged cyber fraud operation involving fake identities, romantic relationships and impersonation of government officials to extort money from victims.
The suspect, identified as Nwogu Osinachi, was arrested at about 1:50pm on August 11 at a residence in Kamal Vihar, Burari, Delhi.
According to the Times of India, Osinachi, who is from Imo State, was wanted in connection with FIR No. 33/2026 filed at Madeyganj Police Station under the Lucknow Commissionerate.
Superintendent of Police Vishal Singh said the investigation followed a complaint by a resident of Daliganj who allegedly lost about Rs 68 lakh, equivalent to approximately N98.1m.
Singh said the victim was initially contacted on Facebook by an individual using the name Doris William, who claimed to be a British citizen.
The suspect allegedly developed a relationship with the victim and gradually gained their confidence.
The victim was later allegedly told that expensive gifts, dollars and pounds had been sent to India.
The fraudsters subsequently claimed that the parcel containing the items had been intercepted at an airport by customs officials.
According to investigators, the suspects then allegedly posed as customs and income tax officials and demanded money from the victim under various pretexts, including customs duty, income tax and GST charges.
“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 reportedly took STF operatives from Lucknow to Delhi, where they uncovered the alleged involvement of Nigerian nationals in the fake-profile operation.
Two alleged associates, Uchenwa and Obäse Prosper, had previously been arrested on May 15 and July 18 respectively, while Osinachi remained at large.
Following technical analysis and intelligence gathering, the STF cyber team allegedly traced Osinachi to Kamal Vihar, Burari, where officers arrested him.
During the operation, authorities reportedly recovered 11 mobile phones, a laptop, a passport, four ATM cards and 34 screenshots.
According to investigators, the screenshots contained photographs and videos of foreign women allegedly used to create fraudulent social media profiles, alongside materials reportedly connected to the impersonation of customs officials.
Osinachi allegedly told investigators that he travelled to India on a business visa in 2022 but remained in Delhi after the visa expired.
He also allegedly claimed that other Nigerians introduced him to the fraudulent operation.
Investigators said Osinachi subsequently admitted to participating in the alleged Rs 68-lakh fraud alongside Uchenwa and Prosper.
