Nigerian held for fraud

With the arrest of a Nigerian national, Delhi Police claim to have busted a gang of international cheats.

Lawrence Chukks’ gang is based in Nigeria and induced victims to pay multiple amounts in the name of stamp duty, registration fee, attorney fee, bond deposit, money transfer fee and money conversion fee.

“However, Lawrence was held after probe over a complaint that a person had been cheated to the tune of Rs 50 lakh,” said B S Jaiswal, deputy commissioner of police (outer).

A case of cheating has been registered with Kanjhawala police station. In October 2010, the complainant, who has a garment manufacturing and trade business, received an email saying health ministry of Nigeria is floating a tender of one lakh t-shirts to promote breast feeding. The cheats further convinced him to transfer an amount of Rs 50 lakh. Recently, he understood that he was cheated and contacted police.

On August 6, the complainant received an email that a diplomat from Nigeria will be coming to India for further transaction and finalisation of the tender. On this, police advised the complainant to call the person to Kanjhawala.

A deal was struck that a consignment ‘releasing fund’ of Rs 1.5 lakh will be paid to the caller so that the money paid earlier will be refunded.

“The caller as per the plan came to Kanjhawala to collect Rs 1.5 lakh and was nabbed on the spot. Further investigation is going on,” Jaiswal added.