Fraud Lottery Racket Arrested in South Delhi

Three members of an international group of conmen which includes a Nigerian national have been detained by the Southeast Delhi Police (India) for operating a forged lottery racket, as per the reports by ndtv.com on September 4, 2011.

The accused are as follows: Amanyunose Kingsley Uyi (31), a Nigerian national who masterminded the racket, Nafees Baig (24), a resident of Ghaziabad (India), and Rajpal Tyagi (25), hailing from Panipat (India). Police found Rs 5 Lakh cash, a Santro car, six rubber stamps, a money-counting machine, seven cell phones and 25 SIM cards from their belongings.

The gang used to entice users by sending mails and SMSs stating that they had won a huge prize in a lottery. The accused used fake documents to cheat people. After convincing the victims about the authenticity of the e-mail, the hackers recommended them to deposit a sum for carrying out necessary custom formalities. After they withdrew the money, the hackers would switch off their cell phones.

Police informed that the arrests were made after a complaint was filed by Mr. Satish Kumar, who said that in August (2011) he had got an e-mail that read: "You have won a prize of 500,000 pounds -- the Coca Cola Online Poverty Elevation Award, to be specific. The award was regulated by the Coco Cola Online Lottery Board, UK, as per the news by indianexpress.com on September 5, 2011.

Further, Police added that the mail asked Kumar to send his contact address, phone number and other information through e-mail. Kumar felt doubtful when the mail directed him to deposit Rs 25,000 and ultimately he lodge a Police complaint.

After getting the complaint, police traced the e-mail and it led them to Uyi, one of the culprits.

During interrogation, another accused (Kingsley) told that he and other Nigerian nationals would visit India often on business or study visas. They would get mobile numbers from local mobile phone shops during their short stay. Police also said that the gang has cheated several people. In addition, they said that they are looking for a few other Nigerians who are also a part of this group and were still disappeared.

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» SPAMfighter News - 9/15/2011