A Nigerian national, Gabriel Onyeka, has been
arrested in India for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated online scam that
defrauded an Indian businessman of ?1.25 crore (approximately ?250.88 million).
The Scam Operation
Onyeka, 41, posed as a senior executive of a reputed
pharmaceutical company and approached a Vadodara-based civil engineer with a
lucrative business proposal involving the supply of Plukenetia volubilis,
an Ayurvedic liquid used in nutritional and cosmetic products.
He directed the victim to purchase the product from a
specific supplier, which was later discovered to be a fake entity controlled by
Onyeka himself. After the initial purchase, individuals posing as quality
control agents persuaded the businessman to make additional payments under
various pretenses, ultimately leading to a total loss of ?1.25 crore.
Arrest and Evidence
Authorities traced Onyeka through the mobile number he
used during the scam, leading to his arrest at his residence in Kalyan,
Maharashtra. During the arrest, police seized four mobile phones, one of which
contained incriminating evidence, including a screenshot of a WhatsApp message
sent to the victim.
Immigration Violations
Investigations revealed that Onyeka had been living
illegally in India since 2012. He initially arrived on a medical visa for
treatment in West Bengal but overstayed his visa and relocated to Mumbai. In
2020, Mumbai police had already filed a case against him for overstaying his
visa.
Legal Proceedings
Onyeka is currently in police custody as
investigations continue. Authorities are exploring the possibility of
additional accomplices and victims linked to his fraudulent activities.
This case highlights the growing concern over
international cyber fraud and the importance of vigilance in online business
dealings.
Comments:
Leave a Reply