Hyderabad: A Nigerian who allegedly duped people on the pretext of sending gift parcels after befriending them over social media platforms was arrested by the Rachakonda police on Monday.
The police seized five mobile phones, 13 cheque books, nine ATM cards and a passport from him. The man identified as Albert Emeka Christopher alias Albert David (38) stayed at Uttam Nagar in Delhi.
In August 2020, the suspect called the victim Shiva Kumar over WhatsApp and became friends. A week later, he said he was sending a gift parcel containing an iPhone and other expensive gifts. “A few days later, some persons pretending to be customs and immigration officials of Delhi airport called Shiva Kumar over phone and asked him to send money towards various taxes and fees for claiming the parcel,” said S Harinath, ACP (Cybercrime) Rachakonda.
The victim transferred Rs. 1.62 lakh to the accounts provided by Albert to him and later on realizing he was duped, approached the police.
In another case, Albert allegedly cheated a woman in a similar manner of Rs. 3.29 lakh. The suspect conned the woman saying that he works for a multinational company and asked her to pray for his promotion. A few days later, Albert told her that her prayers were answered and he got a promotion. As a gesture, he is sending a gift parcel for her. As usual, the victim received phone calls from some persons claiming to be immigration and customs officials. “The woman transferred Rs. 3.29 lakh in the bank accounts provided by the fake officials,” said the ACP.
The man was caught in West Delhi and brought to the city on transit warrant. He was produced before court and remanded.
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