JOIN USFour Nigerian nationals have been arrested from Safdarjung Enclave area of south Delhi for cheating people, telling them that he had won a foreign lottery but asking them to first pay up a hefty sum to cover the cost of delivering the `winnings.’
Onwutalobi Martin Oluchukwu, 30, Nneke John Odikpo, 29, Sunday Chukwulota, 33, and Benjamin, 35, had even misused the official logos of the International Cricket Council, Mumbai International Airport, Airport Authority of India, Union Finance Ministry, Central Board of Excise and Customs and United Nations.
The action was taken over a complaint by Prem Chand, a resident of Netaji Nagar, said Chhaya Sharma, deputy commissioner of police (south). “The complainant told us that a fraud message was sent on his son’s mobile phone about winning a United Kingdom lottery. His son later deposited Rs 48,000 in two bank accounts as per the instructions of a caller and was further told to submit Rs 1.85 lakh,” Sharma added.
The police said the gang operated from two rented houses in Arjun Nagar and Hamayupur of Safdarjung Enclave. “Upon specific information, a raid was conducted at both places and the Nigerian nationals were arrested,” she added.
The police said eight laptops, 126 sim cards of various mobile companies, 26 mobile phones, 20 envelopes of pre-paid sim cards, a walkie-talkie, nine Internet data cards, two ATM debit cards, cheque books and other incriminating documents were recovered from the suspects.
The arrested men told police they used to come to India on business and student visas or for medical treatment. “They have confessed to their involvement in several cases of cheating throughout India. They used to induce people to deposit a certain amount as custom clearance charges and expenses of a diplomat visiting India in connection with the lottery,” Sharma said.
The way the accused managed to procure mobile connections on fake IDs is also being probed, police said. The bank accounts are also being verified.