Nigerian software engineer arrested cheated businessman of Rs 47 lakhs

PUNE NP NEWS NETWORK-Police have arrested Nigerian software engineer in Noida for allegedly cheating a 59-year-old real estate businessman from Pune, to the tune of Rs 47.07 lakhs, by pretenting to be an American woman. She had claimed that she wanted to engage in real estate business in India and looking for a partner. They had come in contact through social media website Facebook.

The arrested accused has been identified as Joshua Oghagha Ogene (26). He studied Mtech (software) at a college there. Police have recovered three mobile phones and two laptops from his possession.

A team under guidance of DCP Shirish Sardeshpande, Police Inspector Santosh Barge nabbed the accused. The investigation team included police sub inspectors Kiran Auti, Alka Jadhav, and police personnel Sarita Vetal, Babaso Karale, Nitesh Shelar, Shirish Gawde, Santosh Jadhav, and Jyoti Diwane.

As per FIR registered with Swargate police station under Pune city police, the man from Shankarsheth road area, had met the woman, Alecia Smith, on social networking website Facebook in July this year. The woman told him that she wanted to invest in real estate business in India and wanted to come here. On August 6, he got a call from one Sonia Singhania who claimed to be an officer with the customs department at Delhi airport. She told him that Smith has come to India without yellow card. She also has huge quantity of gold, hence she has been detained and asked to transfer money to release her.

The ‘custom officer’ further said that Smith has got bank draft from Bank of Scotland and he will get refund after the draft is encashed. Later on he was given several bank account numbers of different people and between August 21 and September 29, he transferred the amount. Later he realized the fraud and lodged complaint with Pune city police.

Police registered the case for offences under sections 419 (impersonation), 420 (cheating), 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and sections 66 (C), 66 (D) of the Information Technology Act.