Mohali (Punjab) [India], May 24 (ANI): Punjab Police in Mohali have arrested seven foreign nationals from Ghana and Nigeria in connection with a cyber fraud case involving transactions worth approximately Rs 15 crore. The accused operated an international scam where they befriended victims on social media, tricking them into paying customs fees for fictitious packages.
Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmandeep Singh Hans explained that the gang convinced victims by sending fake photos of gifts, sometimes showing US dollars, claiming these were packages sent to the victims. The fraudsters then told victims the packages were stuck in customs and required payment to be released, directing the payments to bank accounts controlled by the gang. Once money was transferred, the scammers blocked the victims.
Police investigations revealed the gang’s operations are coordinated with a parallel group based in Nigeria. So far, authorities have seized 79 smartphones, 4 Apple laptops, multiple SIM cards, and around 31 bank accounts linked to the fraud.
SSP Hans noted that victims were located across India and abroad, and no Indian nationals have yet been implicated in the case. The accused had rented a house in Punjab, and authorities are probing for any local connections to the operation.
The police have secured remand custody of the accused to further investigate the extent of the fraud and trace other transactions. (ANI)
About The Author
