Indian police have arrested a Nigerian national, Oliver Ugwu Okechukwu, 47, in Mumbai for allegedly defrauding a woman from Ilkal town in Karnataka State of ₦9.5 million (Rs 5.5 lakh) through a fake marriage promise.
The arrest, confirmed by Bagalkot Superintendent of Police, Siddarth Goel, followed weeks of investigations by the Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) police.
According to authorities, Okechukwu operated under false identities, exploiting matrimonial websites to lure unsuspecting women, particularly divorcees searching for partners.
How the Scam Unfolded
Investigators revealed that Okechukwu created a fake profile under the name “Satya Amit,” claiming to be a London-based professional seeking a life partner.
After contacting the Indian woman online, he gradually gained her trust and promised marriage.
Around 18 months ago, he told the victim that he had arrived in India but was detained by customs officers at the airport for carrying foreign currency worth Rs 1 crore.
Pretending to be stranded, he begged her to transfer Rs 5.5 lakh to help him recover the seized funds.
Believing his story, she wired the money via RTGS to a bank account he provided.
Immediately after receiving the funds, Okechukwu cut all communication and vanished.
Realizing she had been conned, the victim reported the matter to cybercrime police in Bagalkot, which launched a trail that led to his arrest in Mumbai.
SP Goel disclosed that Okechukwu operated multiple bank accounts under fake names to run his fraudulent schemes.
Authorities are now investigating whether he has defrauded other victims across India using similar tactics.
The case has reignited concerns about Nigerian fraud syndicates in India, who have been repeatedly linked to online scams involving fake job offers, romance schemes, and lottery cons.
Indian authorities say they are tightening cybercrime monitoring systems to track such activities more effectively.
The arrest highlights the growing abuse of online matrimonial platforms, which have become a common hunting ground for fraudsters exploiting emotionally vulnerable individuals.
Experts warn that victims often hesitate to report such scams due to shame, which allows the perpetrators to continue preying on others.
Okechukwu is currently in custody and will face charges under India’s cybercrime and fraud laws.
Authorities say his arrest should serve as a warning to online users to verify identities before making financial commitments.
The case has once again sparked discussions about cross-border cybercrime, with calls for closer cooperation between India and Nigeria in tracking, prosecuting, and dismantling international fraud networks.
