2 Nigerians in net for online lottery fraud

AFTER losing Rs 8.15 lakh to an online lottery scam, a city-based businessman decided to seek revenge and helped the police to trap two Nigerians, who have been operating in the city.

2 Nigerians in net for online lottery fraud

AFTER losing Rs 8.15 lakh to an online lottery scam, a city-based businessman decided to seek revenge and helped the police to trap two Nigerians, who have been operating in the city.

Akram Pasha, a resident of Shivaji Nagar received an SMS originating from the UK on his mobile, in the first week of April.
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The message stated that he had won prizes and a cash amount of Rs 70 crore.

Pasha contacted the official through an E-mail id provided in the SMS and was told to deposit Rs 18.15 lakh towards customs and RBI fees into a certain account. He was also informed to keep all information confidential.

Once more
After depositing the amount, he received a conformation mail informing him that his winnings would be transferred shortly, but received another mail seeking an additional fee of Rs 25 lakh as the tax to the RBI.
Suspecting that he was being scammed, Pasha discussed the details with relatives and friends, and was informed to approach the police.

Trap is set
The Shivaji Nagar police decided to set a trap and advised Pasha to call up the official who had been interacting with him during the entire sequence of events, and say that he would like to hand over the amount personally.

After some reluctance, the fraudster finally agreed upon the plan and asked the victim to come alone. Later, two persons claiming to be representatives of the lottery company arrived at a pre-decided spot.

The police team, which had been waiting at the spot, nabbed the duo identified as Kevin (35), and Nafiu Loqman (24), from Nigeria. During questioning, they revealed that they were part of a racket, which was being handled by a Delhi based Nigerian identified Jack.

The police have seized a fake passport, a laptop and data card and mobile phones from them. "We are investigating whether the accused have cheated any other persons using the same modus operandi and will book them accordingly," said Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashok Kumar.