Nigerian Suspect Arrested in Delhi Over Romance Scam, Drugs

​A 27-year-old Nigerian national has been apprehended in Delhi following a high-stakes joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The suspect, identified as Obase Prosper, was found in possession of 5.085kg of methamphetamine—a seizure with an estimated street value exceeding Rs10 crore.

​A Trail of Fraud and Narcotics

Prosper, an indigene of Imo State, reportedly entered India in 2023 on a medical visa. Authorities state that he remained in the country illegally after his visa expired. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in an ongoing investigation into a sophisticated international cyber-fraud syndicate.

​According to Additional Superintendent of Police, STF, Vishal Vikram Singh, the syndicate operated by creating fake profiles on major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Posing as citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom, gang members groomed Indian victims by establishing romantic relationships online.

​The Modus Operandi

The scam followed a predatory pattern:

• ​The Lure: Victims were promised expensive gifts, foreign currency, and other valuables shipped from abroad.

• ​The Trap: Once trust was established, victims were contacted by accomplices posing as Customs or Income Tax officials. They were falsely informed that their “parcels” had been seized at the airport due to the presence of excessive cash or illicit items.

• ​The Extortion: Victims were coerced into paying “clearance charges,” including customs duties, GST, and income tax, to release the non-existent goods. In one instance, a Lucknow resident was allegedly defrauded of nearly Rs68 lakh after being targeted by a profile named “Doris William”.

​Ongoing Investigation

The STF’s interest in Prosper intensified following the arrest of an associate, Uchenwa, on May 15, 2026. While tracking Prosper, intelligence led investigators to suspect his involvement in the illicit narcotics trade as well. The subsequent raid in RK Puram, Delhi, uncovered not only the methamphetamine but also mobile phones and multiple passports, which police believe were used to facilitate the syndicate’s operations.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Interrogations have revealed that the syndicate continues to operate out of Delhi, with several members still at large. The STF is currently conducting forensic examinations of the seized devices and tracing the gang’s financial footprint across various bank accounts and digital wallets.

​Understanding the rise of such crimes

​This video provides important context regarding the broader issue of drug trafficking and the pressures facing Nigerians abroad, which often leads to exploitation by criminal syndicates.