Nigerian National Arrested in Haryana for Defrauding Gujarat Man of Rs. 14.8 Lakh

AMRELI, GUJARAT : In a significant breakthrough, the cyber police team of Amreli arrested a 27-year-old Nigerian national, Veronika Andrew Annikalathbo, on May 29 from Haryana, for defrauding a young man from Savarkundla of Rs. 14.8 lakh. The arrest comes after an extensive investigation into a year-old fraud case where Annikalathbo used social media platforms to lure victims with promises of lucrative returns in foreign currency.

The investigation revealed that Annikalathbo was part of an elaborate criminal network operating across multiple states, including Gujarat, Haryana, Odisha, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa. Based in Gurugram, Haryana, Annikalathbo was identified as the mastermind orchestrating the scams.

During the police raid, authorities seized multiple mobile phones, laptops, and cash, highlighting the extensive operations of the gang. Annikalathbo had utilized 28 different phone numbers to perpetrate the fraud and maintained eight fake Facebook IDs and three email accounts to facilitate the scheme. Additionally, a Nigerian passport was recovered from her possession.

The victim, a resident of Savarkundla, was ensnared by Annikalathbo’s deceptive promises of high returns in foreign currency. Through persistent social media interactions, calls, and text messages, the accused convinced the victim to make multiple transactions totaling Rs. 14.8 lakh. Realizing he had been scammed, the victim reported the incident to the police a year ago, setting in motion the investigation that culminated in the recent arrest.

The cyber police team meticulously traced the digital footprints left by Annikalathbo and her associates, eventually pinpointing her location in Gurugram. Her arrest marks a significant step in dismantling the broader network of cybercriminals targeting individuals across India. Authorities are now expanding their investigation to identify additional victims who may have fallen prey to similar scams.

A spokesperson for the Amreli cyber police stated, “This arrest is a crucial development in our ongoing efforts to combat cyber fraud. We urge citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities on social media platforms. The cooperation of the public is vital in our fight against such crimes.”