Nigerian man arrested for drug possession and international romance scam in India

A 27-year-old Nigerian who entered India on a medical visa, overstayed illegally after its expiry in 2023, has been arrested in Delhi, India with 5.085 kg of methamphetamine worth over ₹10 crore.

UP special task force (STF) also alleged that the accused, Obase Prosper, was a key member of an international romance scam syndicate that duped Indians.

Obase was arrested in a joint operation by the UP STF and the Narcotics Control Bureau, Delhi, on Friday, July 17, 2026.

Additional superintendent of police, STF, Vishal Vikram Singh said the accused was part of a Nigerian syndicate that allegedly created fake profiles on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, impersonating citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom.

The gang befriended Indian men and women online, lured them into romantic relationships, and later claimed to be sending expensive gifts, foreign currency and valuables to India,” Singh said.

The STF said the investigation gathered pace after a Daligan resident alleged that he was befriended on Facebook by a woman using the identity of ‘Doris William’ from England.

Investigators said the victim was allegedly cheated of nearly ₹68 lakh through repeated demands for customs duty, GST and other charges.

He was also allegedly sent a forged Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) certificate to make the fraud appear genuine.

A case was registered at Madiaon police station in Lucknow.