India Arrests Nigerian Man Over Alleged $100m Love Scam

Indian authorities have arrested a 37-year-old Nigerian national, Nwogu Osinachi, over an alleged cyber fraud scheme in which criminals reportedly used fake foreign identities to build romantic relationships with victims before extorting money from them.

Osinachi, a native of Imo State, was arrested on August 11 in Kamal Vihar, Burari, Delhi, by operatives of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF).

According to Indian authorities, the case involved a victim from Daliganj who allegedly lost about 68 lakh Indian rupees (approximately ₦98.1 million).

Investigators said the victim was initially contacted on Facebook by a person using the name Doris William, who claimed to be a British citizen. The suspect allegedly developed a relationship with the victim before promising to send expensive gifts, dollars and pounds to India.

The victim was later allegedly told that the parcel containing the gifts and foreign currency had been intercepted at an airport by customs officials.

The fraudsters reportedly posed as customs and tax officials and demanded payments for customs duties, income tax, GST and other charges before the parcel could be released.

Authorities said the suspects also allegedly provided the victim with a fake Royal Bank of Scotland certificate to make the scheme appear legitimate.

The investigation reportedly uncovered the involvement of several Nigerian nationals in the fake-profile operation. Two alleged associates, Uchenwa and Obäse Prosper, were arrested on May 15 and July 18 respectively, while Osinachi remained at large.

Following technical analysis and intelligence gathering, the STF cyber team reportedly traced Osinachi to his residence in Delhi, where he was arrested.

Police recovered 11 mobile phones, a laptop, a passport, four ATM cards and 34 screenshots from the suspect.

The screenshots allegedly contained photographs and videos of foreign women reportedly used to create fake social media profiles, as well as materials allegedly connected to the impersonation of customs officials.

Osinachi reportedly told investigators that he entered India on a business visa in 2022 but remained in the country after his visa expired.

He allegedly claimed that other Nigerians introduced him to the fraudulent operation and reportedly admitted participating in the 68-lakh-rupee scam alongside Uchenwa and Prosper.