Three Nigerian nationals held for swindling man of over Rs 55 lakh

NEW DELHI: Three Nigerian nationals, who cheated a man by 'honey trapping' him on Facebook and enticing him by offering millions of 'black dollars', have been arrested from Madhu Vihar, Delhi Police said on Friday.

As many as 35 mobile phones, 25 SIM cards, five internet dongles, a laptop and two LEDs have been receovered from the accused, police said.

On March 24, a complaint was received at Mayur Vihar police station by a man from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, stating that he was cheated by two Nigerian persons of Rs 2,00,000 near Mayur Vihar's Star City Mall, on the pretext of selling mercury powder to be used for treatment of 'black dollars'.

The complainant stated that he had been in touch with the accused for sometime and they had cheated him of Rs 55,34,160 over a period of 1.5 months.

"Inquiry revealed that the complainant had been contacted by one Lena Angel for friendship on Facebook, who was purportedly working in the US Navy and posted in Syria. From there, she had sent some gifts to the complainant and at first, he was made to pay various 'custom' charges through online transactions.

"Thereafter, the complainant was lured to Delhi for collection of a parcel which contained 'black dollars'," said DCP (East) Omvir Singh.

The accused told the complainant that they had millions of dollars worth of currency notes, all of which were covered with a black coating to avoid detection by customs authorities and known as 'black dollars'.

They convinced him to pay them money to purchase 'chemicals' to treat these black dollars, so that it could be converted into legitimate currency.

The complainant was made to arrange Rs 50,00,000 to purchase a 'treatment solution' and then cover the black dollars with Indian rupee notes and place it in the fridge for 72 hours.

However, after taking the money, the scamsters decamped with the entire amount and left behind only the worthless black paper.

Immediately, the complainant approached Delhi Police and within a few days, all the suspects were arrested.