A Nigerian national simply identified as Johnson has been arrested in Delhi for allegedly duping an Indian woman from Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, with a fake matrimonial profile and promising marriage.
Rajnandgaon police apprehended Johnson, who is accused of swindling the woman of lakhs of rupees under the pretense of marriage.
Police revealed that Johnson had been living in Delhi secretly, even after the expiration of his visa and passport.
According to the police, the accused created a fake profile on a matrimonial website where the victim’s profile was also listed.
He initially attracted the woman’s attention and convinced her that he was a UK-based businessman planning to expand his business to India.
The accused allegedly contacted the woman through his associate, claiming that he was stranded at the Delhi airport and needed money to exchange the UK currency he had.
Rahul Dev Sharma, the Additional Superintendent of Police at Rajnandgaon, said, “He blackmailed the woman and cheated her of ₹15,72,000 (approximately ₦9,100,000) with the help of his accomplice.”
Later, when the victim tried calling him, she found his phone switched off.
Realizing that she had been scammed, the woman lodged a case of fraud with the Dongargarh Police cyber cell.
“We started an investigation on the complaint of the applicant. With the help of a cyber cell, it was found that the accused lives in Delhi. Our team raided his Delhi accommodation and arrested him,” Sharma stated.
“Accused Johnson is a resident of Nigeria. He has cheated on many girls so far. We are trying to gather further information through interrogation.”
The police also noted that Johnson is around 40 years old. Authorities recovered a laptop and four mobile phones from the accused, and his bank account has been frozen.