Nigerian fraudsters arrested for duping Baramulla man

SRINAGAR — Cyber Police Kashmir Zone in its recent action against fraudsters have arrested two Nigerian fraudsters from New Delhi involved in duping a man from Baramulla for Rs 36.35 lacs in an online scam.

In a statement issued here, a police spokesperson said that they received a written application from a resident of Baramulla, alleging therein that while surfing Facebook, he came in contact with some unknown fake Facebook user T.Jessica, who impersonated a purchase manager of a renowned pharmaceutical company Abbott.

The said lady enticed the complainant through Facebook messages that she has been promoted as Secretary in the said company and eventually asked the complainant to start a business of Kandu Nut/Palm Seeds/Sea Nuts. The complainant was convinced/motivated by using fake offers, orders, high returns and emails etc. to purchase the said product.

He further stated that in order to purchase the said product, the said Facebook user forwarded the contact details of one seller namely Mrs Jyoti T Kandu to the complainant. A business conversation started between the complainant and the fraudster Mrs Jyoti for selling/buying of the said Kandu nuts.

“The complainant was assured by the said fraudster that the said nuts are valued very high in the pharmaceutical market, owing to their medicinal benefits. The complainant, without knowing the plot behind the fraud, invested a hefty amount of Rs 36.35 lacs by transferring the said amount in different bank accounts of fraudsters for purchasing 50 packets of Kandu Nuts,” he added.

The spokesperson further added that on receiving the consignment of 50 packets of Kandu nuts, the complainant received a fake call from the Mumbai Custom office wherein the complainant was directed to deposit more money in order to be able to sell the said Kandu Nuts to pharmaceutical companies. This created doubt in the mind of the complainant.

The complainant then tried to contact the provided contact details in order to verify the facts. However, he did not get any response and felt cheated/duped by the Facebook user. The complainant then approached Cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone Srinagar and lodged a complaint.

Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 23/2022 under relevant sections of law was registered in Cyber Police Station Srinagar and an investigation was set into motion.

The spokesperson added that during the course of the investigation, it was found that the fraud has been done by the fraudsters under a highly technically built setup and accordingly the digital footprints of the accused persons involved in the commission of offence were tracked by analysis of bank accounts that have been used for siphoning money of the complainant. Besides, CCTV footage and analysis of suspect phone numbers by employing high-end technical investigative skills were also carried out.

Subsequently, two Nigerians were found involved in the offences and were tracked at Vashist Park Sagerpur New Delhi, PS Sagerpur.

Accordingly, on the directions of ADGP Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar, a special team of Cyber Police Station Srinagar proceeded to New Delhi. After strenuous efforts and with the assistance of Delhi Police, the team was successful in nabbing these two Nigerian national culprits namely Isioma Steven son of Alika and Collins son of Onwudengor, residents of Delta Agbor Nigeria, presently at Vashist Park Sagerpur New Delhi.

He added that the rented accommodation was raided and thoroughly searched and during searches, incriminating material including 14 cell phones of different make and models, one laptop, 14 SIM cards, one Wi-Fi router, one Wi-Fi dongle, six debit/credit cards and 45 packs of Kondu nuts/palm nuts were recovered from their possession.

“Investigation into the instant case is going on in full swing. More recoveries and arrests are expected,” he stated.