Gang of online-fraudsters busted; three arrested

A Bengaluru-based three-member gang of online fraudsters, including a Nigerian, were today arrested by Cyberabad police who allegedly duped five job seekers from the city by offering them jobs in Canada and US after collecting money from them.
The gang of online fraudsters headed by James Martin, who went back to Nigeria one-and-a-half month ago, and Christopher (both Nigerians) and two others Emanuel Lalthianghlima and a woman Lalchhanhimi (from Mizoram state) used to dupe job seekers besides posted fake advertisements regarding sale of used cars and new mobile phones in two online classifieds firm, Cyberabad Commissioner of Police, C V Anand said today.

In order to cheat people, Lalchhanhimi and Lalthinghlima took a house in Shamshabad area here on rent and by making copy of rental agreement, created fake documents and opened about 70 Bank accounts in different Banks, Anand said, adding that after collecting bank cheque books, passbooks, ATM Cards, they vacated the house.
The account details were shared with Nigerians Christopher and James Martin.
The duo used to collect details of job seekers from different online job portals and correspond with them in the name of HR Managers of US and Canadian international reputed companies, the senior police officer said.
"They used to speak with the victims by using Canadian and American SIM cards to gain confidence of the victims and made the victims believe that they are calling from abroad. They offered huge salaries in ranging from USD 8,000 to USD 10,000 per month plus insurance coverage, house, car, first class return ticket for family besides 2 months paid leave annually," Anand said.

Falling into their trap five persons from Jeedimetla and LB Nagar areas here, paid about Rs 5 lakhs each, police said.

During the investigation, the accused were identified and the team of officers attached to Cyber Crimes Police of Cyberabad trapped Christopher, Lalchhanhimi and Emanuel Lalthianghlima at Shamshabad area and recovered net cash of Rs 1 lakh, 15 Bank Passbooks, 15 Cheque Books, 13 PAN Cards, 6 Voter ID Cards, 13 Driving Licences, 22 ATM Cards, 15 SIM Cards, 6 Mobiles and one laptop, they said.
On grilling Lalchhanhimi, she confessed to
investigators that she applied little makeup and opened bank accounts in different names by pasting the pop singer's photographs downloaded from internet, they said.

Police also found that the arrested accused Christopher was staying in India illegally after expiry of his visa since 2009, the release added.