Nigerians trio nabbed for matrimony fraud in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The Rachakonda cybercrime police caught three African nationals from New Delhi on charges of duping people through matrimony fraud here on Wednesday. Officials seized 10 mobile phones, 14 SIM cards and 26 ATM cards from them.

The arrested persons were Serge Olivier (33), Owolabi Abiodun Omorilewa (31) and Osas Freedo (39), all from Nigeria and residing at Dalip Vihar, Nilothi Extention, New Delhi. Two suspects, Kanon Evrard and Canteh Marie, were absconding.

Police said the gang came to India on business and tourist visas and were living in a rented room in New Delhi. “They learned about various frauds on Facebook including matrimonial frauds. They downloaded pictures of European men and women registered on matrimonial apps with fake names and profiles using those pictures,” an official said, adding that the gang then posed as foreigners and targeted women on matrimony sites. After promising to marriage, they cheated the victims in the guise of sending gifts, medical expenses and being caught by customs officials at airports.

Recently, they cheated a woman from the city in similar fashion of Rs 26 lakh. Based on a complaint, the cybercrime police booked a case and traced them to New Delhi, from where they were arrested and brought to Hyderabad. They were produced before court and remanded in judicial custody.