Kolkata cyber cell busts ₹1.10 cr scam; 3 Nigerians arrested for fake WHO, Abbott ID fraud

In a case registered at Cyber Police Station, Kolkata (Case No. 30/25 dated 20/05/2025), three Nigerian nationals were arrested in New Delhi in connection with an online investment fraud involving forged identities and impersonation of ‘Abbott Pharmaceutical UK’ and the ‘World Health Organization’. The complainant was allegedly cheated of ₹1,10,41,250 through a fake kola nut trading scheme.

The accused reportedly created fake email accounts, WhatsApp numbers, and fabricated documents using the names and seals of the two organisations to induce the victim into making the investment. The communication was primarily made via two UK-based WhatsApp numbers using an Infinix X6525D device. IP addresses were traced to Nigeria, but further investigation revealed the same WhatsApp sessions were accessed via an Indian IP address linked to a Reliance Jio connection active in Delhi. The use of VPNs or proxies is suspected.

On August 2, between 05:16 hrs and 07:02 hrs, a raid was conducted at Union Bank Gali 17, Chander Vihar, Nilothi, Outer Delhi. Authorities seized 12 Android mobile phones, 3 keypad phones, 1 router, and 1 laptop. The laptop contained digital evidence of creation and transmission of forged documents using the logos, seals, and letterheads of Abbott Pharma UK and WHO, which were key to the fraudulent activities.

Following the seizure, three individuals were arrested at the same location between 07:05 hrs and 07:15 hrs. The arrested were identified as Peter Mercy Olawumi (F-23), Kimekwu Kawilings (M-39), and Alexander Success Divine (M-23), all residing at the same Delhi address. Their Nigerian residential addresses were also recorded. They are alleged to have operated in coordination with others to target Indian nationals using digital platforms.

The case is being investigated under Sections 66, 66C, 66D read with Section 43 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Sections 61(2), 319(2), 318(4), 336(2), 338, 336(3), and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The investigation is ongoing to trace other members involved and uncover the full scale of the operation.