Indian authorities link 27-year-old suspect to an alleged international romance scam syndicate after seizing more than five kilograms of methamphetamine

A 27-year-old Nigerian national, Obase Prosper, has been arrested in New Delhi, India, after security agencies allegedly recovered 5.085 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at more than ₹10 crore, approximately ₦1.4 billion, in an operation that investigators say uncovered links to an international romance scam targeting Indian citizens.

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Prosper was apprehended on Friday during a joint operation conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and the Delhi Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), according to Indian authorities.

Investigators alleged that Prosper entered India on a medical visa but remained in the country unlawfully after the visa expired in 2023.

The arrest followed an investigation into an alleged Nigerian-led cybercrime syndicate accused of using fake identities on social media platforms to defraud victims through online romance scams.

Superintendent of Police with the Uttar Pradesh STF, Vishal Vikram Singh, said members of the group allegedly created fictitious profiles on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, posing as citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom to establish romantic relationships with unsuspecting Indian men and women.

According to Singh, victims were persuaded that expensive gifts, foreign currency or valuable parcels had been dispatched to India on their behalf.

They were then allegedly instructed to pay customs duties, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and other fabricated clearance charges before the non-existent packages could be released.

The investigation began after a resident of Daliganj in Lucknow reported being defrauded by a woman identifying herself as “Doris William”, who claimed to be based in England.

Police alleged that the victim lost nearly ₹6.8 million after making a series of payments linked to the purported release of parcels.

Investigators also recovered what they described as a forged certificate bearing the name of the Royal Bank of Scotland, allegedly used to convince the complainant that the transactions were genuine.

According to The Times of India, the complaint resulted in the registration of a criminal case at Madiaon Police Station in Lucknow.

Authorities said another Nigerian suspect identified as Uchenwa had previously been arrested in Delhi on May 15, 2026, as part of the same investigation, while Prosper allegedly evaded arrest until Friday’s operation.

The STF said intelligence gathered during efforts to locate Prosper indicated that he was also allegedly involved in narcotics trafficking, prompting the agency to work alongside the Narcotics Control Bureau in a coordinated raid.

During the operation, officers reportedly seized 5.085 kilograms of methamphetamine with an estimated street value exceeding ₹10 crore, equivalent to more than ₦1.4 billion.

Investigators also recovered five mobile phones and two passports believed to be relevant to the investigation.

Indian authorities have not announced whether Prosper has secured legal representation or entered a plea to the allegations. Under Indian law, criminal allegations remain unproven until established in court.

The case highlights growing concerns among law enforcement agencies about the convergence of cyber-enabled financial fraud and transnational drug trafficking networks.

Indian authorities have in recent years intensified operations against organised criminal groups allegedly exploiting online platforms to target victims while engaging in other forms of cross-border crime.

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Investigators said inquiries are continuing as they seek to identify additional suspects and dismantle what they described as a major international criminal network allegedly involved in both cyber fraud and narcotics trafficking.