Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Indian authorities have arrested four Nigerian nationals over allegations of social media fraud and impersonation schemes involving fake identities, romance scams, and online financial deception targeting victims in India.
The arrests were carried out in separate operations by police units in Gurugram and Uttar Pradesh, following complaints from individuals who reported being defrauded through social media platforms. Investigators said the suspects allegedly used fake online identities, particularly posing as women, to build trust with victims before requesting money under false pretences.
According to reports dated 18 May 2026, three of the suspects identified as Chinedu, Sunday, and Jules were arrested by Gurugram police in Noida after an investigation triggered by a complaint filed on 25 April 2025. The complainant alleged that he was contacted on Instagram by a woman who claimed to have arrived in India and needed money to process a cheque and convert foreign currency at Mumbai airport.
Police said the victim transferred about 69,900 Indian rupees before realizing he had been deceived. A digital investigation was launched, leading officers to track the suspects and arrest them during a coordinated operation.
During the raid, authorities reportedly recovered 19 mobile phones, one laptop, and multiple SIM cards believed to have been used in carrying out the alleged fraud. Police said the devices were linked to several fake social media accounts used to communicate with different victims at the same time.
Investigators alleged that the suspects operated a coordinated scheme involving emotional manipulation through online relationships, commonly referred to as romance scams. Victims were reportedly persuaded over time before being asked to send money under different excuses.
Police further claimed that one of the suspects, Sunday, entered India illegally through Bangladesh in 2022, while Chinedu and Jules reportedly came into the country earlier on student visas in 2018 and 2017 respectively.
In a separate case, a fourth Nigerian national identified as Uchenwa was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force on 15 May 2026. Authorities alleged that he ran similar online scams using fake identities of foreign nationals, including profiles linked to people from the United States and the United Kingdom.
According to investigators, Uchenwa allegedly used these fake identities to target Indian victims with promises of gifts, luxury items, or foreign currency shipments. Victims were then reportedly asked to pay customs charges, clearance fees, or processing costs before discovering the fraud.
Police described both cases as part of a wider pattern of cyber fraud operations involving impersonation, social engineering, and emotional exploitation. They said such schemes are increasingly difficult to detect because they rely on long-term communication and trust-building rather than immediate financial demands.
The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue. Authorities said forensic analysis of the seized phones and laptops is ongoing, with the possibility of identifying additional victims and accomplices.
The Nigerian High Commission in India had not issued an official response as of the latest reports. However, cases involving Nigerians arrested abroad for cyber-related offences often draw international attention and raise concerns about the global reputation of online fraud linked to impersonation schemes.
Law enforcement agencies in India have in recent years intensified efforts to tackle cybercrime, particularly romance scams and fake investment schemes that target social media users. Officials say victims are often carefully selected and manipulated over time, making such crimes harder to prevent.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities say further arrests may follow as digital evidence is reviewed and more victims are identified.
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