Nigerian gang dupes dancer of 7.5 lakh

Hyderabad: In a yet another cyber fraud, Nigerians have duped a Kuchipudi dancer from Hyderabad to the tune of Rs 7.5 lakh on pretext of organising a dance programme in United Kingdom, said Cyber Crime police.

Around four months ago, Sudhakar Reddy, a professional classical dancer from Musheerabad, received a message on his mobile number registered on WhatsApp application from a UK number. The message from the unknown person contained appreciations about the dance and beauty of the dancer.

The unknown person introduced himself as Robit, businessman from London. He sent some videos to Sudhakar in which a person was seen driving a high-end car. He promised to organise a dance event at London in which Sudhakar has to perform in front of thousands of Indians living there. Sudhakar was also promised a car as a token of appreciation when he visits London.

The conversations continued for two months and Robit sent a mail to Sudhakar stating that he had sent a parcel containing gold jewellery and 30,000 pounds as a gift. And the next day, Sudhakar received a call from a woman, who claimed as an officer from Reserve Bank of India, telling that a parcel containing Rs one crore, belonging to him was caught at Delhi airport and the crime branch police would soon arrest him for receiving huge money.

She hinted Sudhakar to pay Rs 4.5 lakh to manage the officers. After he deposited money in a bank account provided by the woman, she asked him to pay Rs 2.5 lakh toward other clearances at the airport. After depositing the money, Sudhakar lost communication with the said Robit and the woman. After realising that he was duped, he approached the Cyber Crime police in Hyderabad seeking their help to get his money back.

City Cyber Crime ACP Mohd Ismail said preliminary investigation into the modus operandi revealed it as a Nigerian fraud. Several such cases were reported in which the accused followed similar modus operandi.