Four Nigerians Arrested in India Over Alleged Online Romance and Impersonation Scams
- May 19
- 2 min read
Indian authorities have arrested four Nigerian nationals in separate cybercrime operations linked to alleged online fraud and impersonation schemes targeting victims through social media platforms.
According to reports from Indian law enforcement agencies, three suspects identified as Chinedu, Sunday, and Jules were apprehended by police in Gurugram following investigations into an alleged romance scam network operating online. The suspects were accused of creating fake female identities on social media to deceive victims and extort money from them.
Police later tracked the suspects to Noida, where they were arrested during a late-night operation. Security operatives reportedly recovered several mobile phones, SIM cards, and a laptop believed to have been used in carrying out the fraudulent activities.
Authorities disclosed that one of the suspects allegedly entered India illegally through Bangladesh in 2022, while the other two reportedly travelled into the country years earlier on study visas.
Investigators further alleged that the group specialised in gaining the trust of victims online by posing as women before convincing them to send money under false pretences.
In a separate operation, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force arrested another Nigerian national, identified as 49-year-old Uchenwa, over an alleged international cyber fraud syndicate targeting Indian citizens through fake social media accounts.
Officials alleged that the suspect and his associates impersonated foreign nationals from countries including the United States and the United Kingdom to emotionally manipulate victims with promises of gifts, foreign currency, and luxury items supposedly being shipped into India.
Victims were later contacted by individuals posing as customs or tax officials who allegedly demanded payments for clearance charges, taxes, and duties before the fictitious packages could be released.
One complainant from Lucknow reportedly told investigators he lost millions of rupees after developing an online relationship with a woman using the name “Doris Williams.” The victim was allegedly persuaded to make multiple payments after being informed that the woman had been detained at an airport for carrying large sums of foreign currency.
The Special Task Force said its cybercrime unit used intelligence gathering and digital surveillance to trace and arrest the suspect in Delhi. During interrogation, Uchenwa reportedly admitted relocating to India years ago for business purposes before turning to cyber fraud after experiencing financial setbacks.
The arrests add to a growing number of international cases involving Nigerians accused of cybercrime, online impersonation, and financial fraud in several countries.
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