In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Mohali Police have arrested seven foreign nationals in connection with a cyber fraud case. The accused allegedly ran a gang that duped several individuals across the country by befriending them on social media and tricking them into paying money under the pretext of customs clearance for a fake parcel.
Mohali’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmandeep Singh Hans stated that the arrested individuals hail from Ghana and Nigeria, and that a parallel network of the gang is operating from Nigeria. During the investigation, the police uncovered transactions amounting to ₹15 crore and seized numerous SIM cards, mobile phones, and laptops linked to the fraud.
"These people were operating a gang where they befriended people on social media, when there was a certain level of comfort they used to say they have sent a gift to the victims and even used to send photos of it. There were some photos we found where US dollars were in the photo and they said that is the gift which is sent," the SSP said.
Hans said many people from across the nation were targeted in the fraud, with some from other countries too.
"We have found many victims from different parts of the country and foreign countries as well. Our investigations also find that foreign nationals are involved in this. Our investigations also find that foreign nationals are involved in this. We have arrested 7 Africans, including citizens of Ghana and Nigeria. Their parallel gang is operating everything from Nigeria," he added.
Detailing the gang’s modus operandi, the SSP explained that the fraudsters would pretend to send a gift to the victim, and later claim that the package was held up at customs. They would then ask the victim to pay a fee for its release, directing the money into their own accounts.
"After that, they used to pretend that the gift is stuck in customs, and it is impossible for them to send money because they are out. So they used to tell the victims that they should send the payment, but the bank account for transfer was theirs only, and when the money was transferred, they used to block people," he said.
Upon investigation, the authorities discovered financial transactions amounting to approximately ₹15 crore linked to the group. The police also seized 79 mobile phones, four Apple laptops, 31 bank accounts, and numerous SIM cards used in the fraudulent activities.
"Around 79 smartphones, 4 Apple laptops, multiple SIM cards, and around 31 bank accounts have been found till now. According to our investigation, we have found around Rs 15 crore worth of transactions. We have taken a remand and we have looked up their bank accounts in mobile phones to see what other transactions will be revealed," he said.
While the current arrests involve only foreign nationals, the police are probing potential local connections. “They had rented a house here. We are investigating whether any local individuals were involved, and if such links are found, strict action will follow,” SSP Hans added.
The accused are currently in police custody, and further interrogation is underway to uncover the full extent of the cyber fraud network and identify additional victims.
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