The Rachakonda cyber crime team in Hyderabad, India, has apprehended two Nigerian nationals who allegedly masterminded a deceitful scheme under the pretense of sending expensive gift parcels. The accused, identified as Omenonye Sylvester and Alimeke Endurance Chukwuka, were taken into custody on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, from their rented residence in Tilaknagar, Delhi, by the diligent efforts of the Cybercrime Police.
Operating under student visas, the accused individuals had devised a nefarious plan to swindle unsuspecting victims, predominantly women, through a web of deception. Upon careful interrogation, it was disclosed that the culprits had separately arrived from Nigeria with the sole intention of carrying out online fraud.
The modus operandi employed by the duo involved the creation of fabricated online profiles, where they masqueraded as European citizens. Under the guise of building virtual friendships, the accused managed to establish a connection with their target, Divya, using the fake Instagram identity ‘Alex Williams’. By exploiting this connection, they artfully convinced Divya to part with a staggering sum of Rs 3,63,000, promising her lavish gifts and parcels.
The alarming incident came to light when Divya, realizing the deception, promptly approached the Cybercrime Police and formally lodged a complaint on August 15. The complaint served as a crucial starting point, enabling the authorities to gather technical evidence from both the complainant’s mobile device and the accused’s server.
Bolstered by the evidence collected, the Rachakonda Cybercrime Police embarked on a swift operation that led them to the accused’s location in Delhi. “The technical analysis of the mobile phones confiscated from the suspects, coupled with scrutiny of their SIM cards’ IMEI numbers, revealed that both perpetrators were implicated in five similar cases,” informed Rachakonda police commissioner D.S. Chauhan. Among these cases were one registered under KPHB Police Station limits, three under Cyberabad Cybercrime Police Station limits, and yet another under Chaderghat Police Station limits.
Upon apprehension, the authorities seized approximately Rs 1.78 lakh in cash, alongside incriminating evidence, including forged identification documents crafted to ensnare victims on social media platforms. Additionally, two Wi-Fi routers and six mobile phones were confiscated as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Rachakonda Police have issued a cautionary advisory to all internet users, urging them to exercise vigilance when receiving friend requests from strangers across social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and email. They emphasized the importance of avoiding interactions with unfamiliar individuals promising friendship gifts or packages. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the ever-present risks associated with online interactions and the critical need for users to remain cautious and discerning in their virtual engagements.
