The suspect, identified as Obase Prosper, was apprehended on Friday, July 17, during a joint operation conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Delhi.
According to the STF, Prosper entered India on a medical visa but remained in the country illegally after his visa expired in 2023.
Speaking on the operation, Additional Superintendent of Police, STF, Vishal Vikram Singh, alleged that the suspect was a key member of an international romance scam syndicate that targeted victims across India.
Investigators claimed the syndicate created fake profiles on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, posing as citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom to deceive unsuspecting victims.
According to the police, members of the group allegedly built online romantic relationships with Indian men and women before claiming to send expensive gifts, foreign currency and other valuables to India.
Victims were then allegedly persuaded to pay large sums of money under the guise of customs duties, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and other clearance charges before receiving the supposed packages.
The investigation intensified after a resident of Daligan in Lucknow reported being defrauded by a woman identifying herself on Facebook as "Doris William" from England.
Police alleged that the victim lost nearly ₹68 lakh after making multiple payments for fake customs and tax charges. Investigators also claimed he was sent a forged Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) certificate to make the scheme appear legitimate.
Following the complaint, a case was registered at the Madiaon Police Station in Lucknow, leading investigators to uncover the alleged fraud network.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the suspected syndicate and determine the full extent of its activities.
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