At least seven nationals from Ghana and Nigeria are set to stand trial in India after allegedly defrauding more than 350 victims of over $94,000, according to the Punjab State Police.
The suspects, all men aged between 25 and 35, were apprehended by the Mohali Cyber Crime Cell during a sting operation that reportedly dismantled an international online fraud ring.
As reported by The Indian Express, the group had been operating from a rented apartment in Noida, where they had allegedly established a fake call centre to carry out various online scams.
During the raid, police seized 79 smartphones, four laptops—including two Apple MacBooks—99 SIM cards registered under both Indian and foreign names, and documentation linked to 31 fake bank accounts.
Authorities estimate the value of the confiscated items at approximately 30 lakh rupees. The total amount involved in the fraudulent schemes is estimated at 15 crore rupees, equivalent to over $94,000.
Senior Superintendent of Police Harmandeep Singh Hans confirmed the arrests, noting that the suspects used fake social media profiles to target both Indian and foreign nationals. They allegedly lured victims with promises of expensive gifts from abroad, later claiming the parcels had been held by customs and demanding bogus clearance fees or taxes.
“Our team used advanced cyber tools and covert strategies to track down and apprehend the culprits,” he said.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Rupinderdeep Kaur Sohi, who led the operation, noted that the house used for the operation was rented by a Nigerian woman whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
She also stated that the suspects had opened multiple bank accounts in private banks and that investigations were ongoing into the identities behind the accounts and the procurement of the SIM cards.
The scam, according to police, not only affects Indian victims. Some of the suspects allegedly targeted fellow Nigerian nationals by offering fake job opportunities in India.
The accused have already appeared before a court in Mohali and have been remanded in police custody for two days to assist with ongoing investigations.
This case follows a recent bust by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau involving another group of Nigerian nationals accused of drug trafficking.
That investigation revealed the use of fake identities, expired visas, and fraudulent marriages to support their illegal activities.
Credit: Mynewsgh.com
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