India arrests Nigerian man over alleged $80,000 love scam

Authorities in India have apprehended a 37-year-old Nigerian national in connection with a sophisticated love scam that targeted individuals online. The alleged scheme involved criminals fabricating foreign identities to build trust and emotional connections with victims before impersonating customs and tax officials to extort substantial sums of money.

The suspect, identified as Nwogu Osinachi from Imo State, Nigeria, was arrested on August 11 in Delhi. The operation was carried out by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force, which had been investigating a case registered at the Madeyganj police station in Lucknow. According to police reports, a resident of Daliganj was defrauded of approximately 68 lakh rupees (about $80,000 USD).

Investigators detailed how the scam typically begins with fake social media profiles, often posing as British citizens, initiating contact and fostering seemingly innocent friendships. Once trust is established, the conversation shifts to promises of expensive gifts and foreign currency. The victim is then informed that a parcel containing these items has been intercepted at an airport, requiring payments for customs duties, taxes, and other fees to be released.

To lend credibility to their demands, the fraudsters allegedly provided victims with forged documents, such as a fake RBS certificate purportedly issued in the United Kingdom. The investigation, which led operatives from Lucknow to Delhi, also uncovered the involvement of other Nigerian nationals. Two associates, Uchenwa and Obäse Prosper, were previously arrested in May and July, respectively, while Osinachi remained at large until his recent capture.

During the arrest, authorities recovered multiple mobile phones, a laptop, a passport, ATM cards, and numerous screenshots. These screenshots reportedly contained images of foreign women used to create fake profiles and materials related to impersonating customs officials. Osinachi allegedly admitted to participating in the fraud with his associates after entering India on a business visa in 2022 and overstaying his permit.

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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.