Indian law enforcement authorities have arrested seven Nigerian nationals accused of running a widespread online romance scam that defrauded over 350 victims across India.
The suspects were apprehended on Saturday by security operatives in Mohali, following a tip-off that led them to Gautam Budh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, northern India.
According to The Times of India, the group allegedly scammed their victims out of ₹15 crore (approximately ₦2.79 billion). During the arrest, authorities seized 79 smartphones, two laptops, two MacBooks, 99 SIM cards (both Indian and international), and 31 fake bank accounts.
Speaking on the arrests, Mohali’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Harmandeep Hans, said the suspects created fake social media profiles, often posing as pilots or engineers, to win the trust of their targets.
“They connected with hundreds of people—mostly men and women—built online relationships, and lured them with promises of expensive gifts and even US dollars,” Hans explained.
Once trust was established, the scammers would request money under the guise of customs or tax payments. In cases where the victims refused to pay, the suspects reportedly resorted to blackmail—particularly targeting married individuals—by threatening to release explicit photos or private conversations.
Separate Drug Trafficking Arrest
In a separate incident, two more Nigerians, Victor Onuwalla and Invebuva Chimaobi, were arrested in Maharashtra’s Palghar district for drug-related offenses. They were found in possession of cocaine, mephedrone, and other narcotics worth ₹11.58 crore (approximately ₦2.14 billion).
Devdiscourse, an Indian news outlet, reported that the arrests followed a police raid in Evershine City. According to crime investigator Samir Ahirrao, the case is being handled under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and further investigations are ongoing to uncover the broader network involved.
