Gifting Scam: UP Cyber Police Arrests Nigerian Nationals From Delhi, Here is How They Cheat People

NOIDA: During the lockdown, scammers from Nigeria have cheated hundreds of Indians by posing as friends on social media and then offering to deliver expensive presents.

Cyber police of Uttar Pradesh have arrested a Nigerian national living in Delhi and defrauding people across India. The arrest was made while probing a fraud complaint filed by a Lucknow-based woman, who lost Rs 28 lakh to similar con artists.

According to the police, Nigerians befriended victims on social networking networks, particularly Facebook and Instagram.

They would present themselves as businessmen from the United Kingdom or other European countries. For several months, a gang member communicated with the victim. When the gang has acquired the victim’s trust, they inform them that they are sending some gifts—a few money, an expensive phone, and some jewellery.

ALSO READ: Woman Defrauded of Rs 13 lakh In Facebook Gifting Scam; FIR Filed in Mumbai

A few days later, the victim receives a call from another conman posing as a customs official from Delhi Airport, requesting payment to release the present parcel.

Once the victim has fallen into their trap, con artists deceive them into paying money under processing fees, customs duties, documentation, and other costs. But it won’t be long before they realise they’ve been tricked.

According to officials, the accused and his friends are members of a gang that has defrauded more than a dozen women over Rs 2.5 crore in the last two years.

Ndafirmi was apprehended in Delhi on Monday by authorities from the Cyber police station in Noida Sector 36 to a complaint filed in June of last year. According to officials, the accused, who has completed Class 12, arrived in India in 2019.

ALSO READ: Delhi Police Become Friends With Rapist Of A Minor Girl On Facebook To Arrest Him

Ndafirmi is from the Ivory Coast’s Krayaro Didievi state. He was staying in a rented apartment in Delhi’s Mahavir Enclave neighborhood. Last year, we received a complaint from a woman who stated that a person she had befriended online had committed a Rs 28.13 lakh fraud on her.

According to authorities, the gang members then tricked the woman into transferring the monies to them online and threatened to charge her in a bogus money-laundering case if she refused.

ALSO READ: Man From Agra Arrested For Creating Fake Profile Of Maharashtra DGP On Facebook

An FIR was filed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 419 (cheating by impersonation), and 420 (cheating by impersonation) (cheating). According to authorities, charges under the Information Technology Act were also filed in the case.

The Cyber Cell has warned people to exercise caution when engaging in online activities to prevent being tricked or bullied.

According to cyber cops, because the entire nation was forced to stay at home due to the pandemic, many people turned to social media to make new acquaintances and connections, leaving them more vulnerable to such crimes.

Follow The420.in on

 Telegram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube