Indian authorities have arrested a 37-year-old Nigerian national accused of being involved in an elaborate online romance scam that allegedly defrauded a victim of about ₹68 lakh, equivalent to approximately N98.1 million.
The suspect, identified as Nwogu Osinachi, was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) at about 1:50 p.m. on August 11 at a residence in Kamal Vihar, Burari, Delhi.
According to Indian media reports, Osinachi, a native of Imo State, Nigeria, was wanted in connection with FIR No. 33/2026, registered at Madeyganj police station under the Lucknow Commissionerate.
Police said the investigation began after a resident of Daliganj reported losing a large sum of money in what initially appeared to be an online friendship.
According to Superintendent of Police Vishal Singh, the victim was contacted on Facebook by someone who used the name Doris William and allegedly claimed to be a British citizen. The suspect reportedly built a relationship with the victim before introducing the promise of expensive gifts, dollars and pounds supposedly being sent to India.
The victim was later allegedly told that a parcel containing the gifts and foreign currency had been intercepted by customs officials at an airport.
The scammers then allegedly posed as customs and income tax officers and demanded payments for customs duties, income tax, GST and other charges before the supposed package could be released.
To make the scheme appear legitimate, the gang allegedly provided the victim with a fake RBS certificate, purportedly issued in the United Kingdom. Police said the victim eventually transferred approximately ₹68 lakh to the fraudsters.
The investigation reportedly took STF cybercrime officers from Lucknow to Delhi, where they uncovered alleged links to a network involving Nigerian nationals.
Two alleged associates, Uchenwa and Obäse Prosper, were arrested on May 15 and July 18 respectively. Osinachi remained at large until investigators used technical analysis and intelligence gathering to trace him to Kamal Vihar, where he was arrested.
During the operation, officers reportedly recovered 11 mobile phones, a laptop, a passport, four ATM cards and 34 screenshots.
Police said some of the screenshots contained photographs and videos of foreign women allegedly used to create fake social media identities. Investigators also reportedly found material connected to the impersonation of customs officials.
Osinachi allegedly told investigators that he entered India on a business visa in 2022 but remained in Delhi after the visa expired. He reportedly claimed that other Nigerians introduced him to the alleged fraud operation.
According to police, Osinachi also allegedly admitted to participating in the ₹68 lakh scam alongside Uchenwa and Prosper.
