Srinagar Police on Wednesday said that Cyber Police Kashmir Zone in its recent action against fraudsters have arrested two Nigerian fraudsters from New Delhi involved in duping a man from Baramulla for ₹36.35lacs in an online scam.
In a statement issued on Wednesday police said that it received a written application from a resident of Baramulla wherein it was alleged that while surfing Facebook, he came in contact with some unknown fake Facebook user T.Jessica, who impersonated as a purchase manager of a renowned pharmaceutical company Abbott.
Stating that the said lady T. Jessica enticed the complainant through Facebook messages that she has been promoted as Secretary in the said company and eventually asked the complainant to start a business of (Kandu Nut/Palm Seeds/Sea Nuts), police in it’s statement further said that the complainant was convinced and motivated by using fake offers, orders, high returns and emails etc. to purchase the said product.
Police in it’s statement further said that in order to purchase the said product, the said Facebook user forwarded the contact details of one seller namely Jyoti T Kandu to the complainant after which a business conversation started between the complainant and the fraudster Jyoti for selling and buying of the said Kandu nuts. “The complainant was assured by the said fraudster that the said nuts are valuing very high in the pharmaceutical market owing to their medicinal benefits” , reads the above referred police statement, adding that “the complainant without knowing the plot behind the fraud invested a hefty amount of ₹36.35lacs by transferring the said amount in different bank accounts of fraudsters for purchasing 50 packets of Kandu Nuts”.
Stating that on receiving the consignment of 50 packets of Kandu nuts the complainant received a fake call from Mumbai Custom office wherein the complainant was directed to deposit more money in order to be able to sell the said Kandu Nuts to pharmaceutical companies which created doubt in the mind of complainant, Police in it’s statement said that the complainant thereafter tried to contact on the provided contact details in order to verify the facts,but he did not got any respond and felt cheated/duped by the Facebook user.
Police said that the complainant approached Cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone Srinagar and lodged a complaint and a case vide FIR No. 23/2022 under relevant sections of law was registered in Cyber Police Station Srinagar and investigation was set into motion.
Stating that during the course of investigation, it was found that the fraud has been done by the fraudsters under a highly technically built setup and accordingly the digital footprints of the accused persons involved in the commission of offence were tracked by analysis of bank accounts that have been used for siphoning money of the complainant, Police in it’s statement said that the CCTV footages and analysis of suspect phone numbers by employing high-end technical investigative skills was also carried out.
Disclosing that two Nigerians were found involved in the offences and were tracked at Vashist Park Sagerpur New Delhi, PS Sagerpur after which a special team of Cyber Police Station Srinagar proceeded to New Delhi on the directions of ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar , Police in it’s statement furthermore said that after strenuous efforts and with the assistance of Delhi Police, the team arrested the said two Nigerians national culprits namely Isioma Steven son of Alika and Collins son of Onwudengor residents of Delta Agbor Nigeria A/P Vashist Park Sagerpur New Delhi. Police in it’s statement also said that the rented accommodation was raided and thoroughly searched and during searches incriminating material including 14 cell phones of different make and models, 01 laptop, 14 SIM cards, 01 Wi-Fi router, 01 Wi-Fi dongle, 06 debit/credit cards and 45 packs of Kondu nuts/palm nuts were recovered from their possession.
Stating that the investigation into the instant case is going on in full swing and more recoveries and arrests are expected, Police in the concluding para of it’s above quoted statement advised people to remain cautious and not fall prey to fraudsters/scammers offering various benefits/deals. Police in it’s statenment also advised people to report any such Cyber fraud call to Cyber Police Srinagar and contact it on 9596770555 or dial National Cyber reporting toll free Number 1930.
