Nigerian conman caught for online fraud

BANGALORE: Dhruva Kumar, a software engineer from Bangalore, was cheated of Rs 12.5 lakh by a Nigerian conman, after he signed up for a job on a social networking site. The entire rip-off happened online.
Bangalore police arrested the Nigerian in Mumbai on Sunday and brought him to Bangalore on Tuesday.
The Nigerian was identified as Sonia Gupta alias Tony alias James alias Isaiahigho, 37, resident of Gorai, Borivali West, Mumbai, and a native of Benin city, Nigeria.He had claimed he was managing director of a pharmaceutical company manufacturing medicine to combat dengue. He laid a trap on the site, promising the post of director in the company. Dhruva Kumar fell for it.
Kumar sent messages to Sony in August, stating his willingness to become director. "Dhruva Kumar immediately received a reply, asking him to invest Rs12.5 lakh, which he did. When there was no further communication from the Nigerian, he panicked and approached Koramangala police. We found the trickster operating from Mumbai and trapped him in a hotel lobby," said ACP (Madivala subdivision) H Subbanna. Police claimed they had also arrested three of his Indian associates.
Sony does not hold a passport. "We've written to the local foreigners' regional registration officer for his whereabouts and travel documents. However, Kumar's money could not be recovered," said the officer.