Cops trap e-mail lottery cheat

Charles had collected 6,000 e-mail IDs of Indians

The accused has been identified as Okonokwo Charles, who claims to be from Siberia.
According to the police, Charles collected e-mails of more than 6,000 Indians. He used to send mails to them claiming they had won several billion US dollars in an international lottery event.

He used to request them to deposit a few lakh in his bank account to clear certain procedures of the British Government, like income tax clearance, so that he could immediately release the dollars. Sometimes, he would claim that the receiver had won a BMW car and request the receiver to deposit some money towards income tax clearance. Besides mails, he would send SMS to mobile numbers, added the police.

Recently, he sent a mail to Avinash, asking him to deposit Rs 2.5 lakh. Suspecting foul play, Avinash contacted the police, who thought of a trap and asked him to inform Charles that he would pay in person. Charles fell for the trap and  he was arrested in Devanahalli when he came to collect the cash, said the DCP.

He also cheated Shivaraj Johar who had paid him Rs 10 lakh.

Police suspect there may be more victims who have fallen pray to Charles’s mail. They also suspect an international network behind such illegal activities. Further investigations are on. The police have cautioned the public not to fall prey to such e-mails.