The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) apprehended a Nigerian man named Obase Prosper in Delhi for orchestrating an online scam that targeted Indian individuals via fake social media profiles. Prosper, 27, was also found in possession of 5.085 kilograms of methamphetamine, valued at over Rs 10 crore in the global market. He had been residing in South Delhi after arriving in India on a medical visa in 2023, which had expired, leading to his illegal stay.
During interrogation, Prosper revealed his residence at house number 2/10 in Raju Park, South Delhi. The STF seized the methamphetamine, along with five mobile phones and two passports from him, estimating the narcotics’ worth to be more than Rs 10 crore internationally. Allegations suggest that Prosper ran an organized cyber fraud network by masquerading as a US or UK citizen on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Operating under false identities, Prosper would befriend young men and women from India and other nations, gaining their trust before deceiving them. He would deceive victims by promising expensive gifts or foreign currency parcels, later claiming that these items were held by authorities at the airport, necessitating payments for their release. This deceitful scheme led to the gang defrauding victims of significant sums of money.
In a specific case, Prosper allegedly defrauded a young man from Lucknow of Rs 68 lakh after befriending him on Facebook. Another individual named Uchenwa reportedly aided Prosper in executing the fraud. The STF had been pursuing the accused as part of its investigation, with a case already filed at Madeyganj Police Station. Prosper confessed during questioning that several other syndicate members were involved in the illicit activities.
On May 15, the STF detained one of Prosper’s associates in Delhi, leading to information implicating Prosper in drug trafficking. Subsequently, the STF, in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), arrested Prosper. The investigation into the matter is ongoing.
