Did the Kolkata Police Capture Three Nigerians in a Rs 1 Crore Cyber Fraud Case?
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Synopsis
In a significant crackdown, Kolkata Police apprehended three Nigerians, including a woman, involved in a major cyber fraud that swindled a local resident of Rs 1 crore. The suspects allegedly posed as representatives of the WHO and a pharmaceutical company, employing sophisticated tactics to deceive their victim.
Key Takeaways
- Kolkata Police successfully arrested three Nigerian nationals involved in a significant cyber fraud.
- The fraudsters posed as representatives of the WHO and a pharmaceutical company.
- A total of Rs 1.1 crore was swindled from the victim.
- The investigation revealed the use of fake identities and foreign numbers to deceive.
- Seized items included smartphones and a laptop used for forgery.
Kolkata, Aug 4 (NationPress) In an impressive operation, the Kolkata Police announced on Monday the apprehension of three Nigerians, including a woman, from Delhi, linked to a fraudulent scheme that swindled an individual out of Rs 1 crore under the pretense of affiliation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and a private pharmaceutical entity.
A senior officer from the Kolkata police reported that the detained individuals had reached out to the victim, a Kolkata resident, by fabricating a fake email account and utilized a British number on WhatsApp to build trust.
"The suspects, including a woman, were arrested during a recent operation in Delhi. They are identified as Peter Mercy Oloumi alias Sophia, Kimeku Kailings, and Alexander Divine. All three are of Nigerian nationality," stated the police official.
The investigators were able to trace their permanent residences in Nigeria, alongside their operational base in Delhi.
Initial findings indicated that these cyber criminals employed foreign numbers and IP addresses to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
"From the arrested suspects, we seized twelve smartphones, three keypad phones, a router, and a laptop. The laptop was used to create counterfeit logos and seals associated with the World Health Organization and a pharmaceutical company," noted the police official.
The arrests stemmed from a complaint lodged in May at the Kolkata Police's Cyber Police Station.
The victim reported being contacted in the guise of the WHO and a pharmaceutical firm. After presenting various documents to establish credibility, the fraudsters managed to con him out of Rs 1.1 crore.
During the investigation, the cyber police discovered several WhatsApp numbers linked to the United Kingdom. The mobile device associated with those numbers had an IP address originating from Nigeria.
"Those WhatsApp accounts were also operational in Delhi around the same timeframe, using an Indian number. Based on this intelligence, a raid was executed, leading to the suspects' arrest," concluded the police officer.
Point of View
It is imperative to highlight the rising threat of cyber fraud and the need for increased awareness and vigilance among the public. The Kolkata Police's swift action in apprehending these suspects reflects their commitment to tackling this growing issue. We stand with the nation in ensuring safety and security in the digital age.
NationPress
08/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges were filed against the arrested Nigerians?
The three Nigerians were arrested for their involvement in a cyber fraud case that defrauded a local resident of Rs 1 crore, posing as representatives of the WHO and a pharmaceutical company.
How did the fraudsters contact their victim?
The fraudsters contacted the victim using a fake email ID and a British number on WhatsApp to gain his trust.
What evidence did the police recover from the suspects?
The police seized twelve smartphones, three keypad phones, a router, and a laptop, which was used to forge logos and seals of the WHO.
How did the police trace the suspects?
The police traced the suspects through WhatsApp numbers linked to the UK, which were found to have IP addresses from Nigeria.
When was the complaint filed?
The complaint was filed in May at the Kolkata Police's Cyber Police Station.
