Six Nigerians Arrested in India Over N53 Million Online Pharmaceutical Scam

Six Nigerian nationals, including a man identified as Steve Uzochi, have been taken into custody by Indian authorities for allegedly defrauding a businessman of approximately N53 million through a fraudulent pharmaceutical trade scheme. The arrests were carried out following a coordinated investigation across multiple Indian cities.

According to law enforcement officials, the suspects set up a sophisticated scam targeting investors by presenting themselves as representatives of a legitimate African pharmaceutical company. They allegedly offered the victim a homeopathic liquid claimed to treat malaria and dengue at a discounted rate, promising substantial profit margins if resold. To reinforce credibility, the suspects reportedly sent small product samples and arranged meetings with individuals posing as laboratory scientists and company executives.

The operation spanned several states, with suspects coordinating financial transactions and communications to maintain the illusion of authenticity. The businessman involved was persuaded to transfer a significant advance payment to bank accounts controlled by the fraudsters. Upon attempting to verify the company’s existence, the victim discovered the business addresses were fictitious, prompting him to report the fraud to local cybercrime authorities.

Police investigations indicate that the Nigerian suspects were operating in collaboration with local accomplices, residing in India under fraudulent documentation. The arrests follow a series of similar cases involving foreign nationals engaged in online scams, financial fraud, and other illegal activities across India.

Authorities have emphasized that these arrests are part of an ongoing crackdown on cross-border cybercrime, with further probes underway to recover the defrauded funds and identify additional participants in the scheme.

The case highlights the increasing sophistication of online business scams and the vulnerabilities investors face in international trade deals. Officials have urged individuals engaging in cross-border transactions to conduct thorough verification of company credentials and to exercise caution when approached with high-return investment offers.