A 23-year-old Nigerian national has been arrested by the Ahmedabad police in India, for duping a trader out of N28m.
The accused identified as ‘Essis Esmel Octave’, was arrested from Delhi on Tuesday, August 10.
According to the police, a Nigeria-based company offered $200 for 10ml of ‘Urazi Herbal Oil’, citing its medicinal properties.
The callers told the Odhav-based trader that it is difficult to get the oil, and if he could source it from India, they would pay him handsomely.
There was only one catch, the trader would have to get the oil checked for quality. The money would be paid only if it matched the required standard.
“It was a con from the start, with buyers and inspectors from the same gang. The trader got lured by the astronomical amount offered for 500 litres of the oil, and kept paying till he had lost Rs 52 lakh,” said a cyber cell official.
Based on a complaint for cheating and breach of trust, a team reached Delhi and nabbed the Nigerian national.
The investigators have also traced the bank accounts and phone numbers used by the accused.
Cyber cell officials warned traders of this modus operandi in which they are approached from an international number and offered a good sum if they can procure oil ‘available only in India.’
“Don’t transact over any such offers or share account details,” said an investigator.
