The Mohali Cyber Crime Cell of the Punjab Police in India has arrested seven nationals of Ghana and Nigeria for allegedly operating an international fraud racket from a rented accommodation in Noida.

The suspects, all men aged between 25 and 35, were sent to two-day police remand by a Mohali court.

During the raid, police seized 79 smartphones, four laptops (including two Apple MacBooks), 99 SIM cards (Indian and foreign), and documents related to 31 fake bank accounts.

According to a report by the Indian Express, the total value of the seized items is estimated to be around ₹3 million (approximately GH₵540,000). Transactions worth approximately ₹150 million (approximately GH₵27 million) were traced through the bank accounts, according to the police.

Mohali SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans stated that the accused allegedly used fake social media profiles to befriend Indian and foreign nationals, possibly duping over 350 people.

“Using advanced cyber tools and covert strategies, our team managed to apprehend the culprits,” he said.

The gang reportedly lured victims by promising expensive gifts sent from abroad, later demanding money under the pretext of clearance charges or taxes.

The scammers shared bank account numbers with victims and asked them to deposit specified sums.

The operation was led by DSP Rupinderdeep Kaur Sohi, who revealed that the house where the gang operated was rented by a Nigerian woman whose whereabouts are yet to be traced.

DSP Sohi also noted that the bank accounts used by the gang were opened in private banks, and investigations are ongoing to determine the accountholders and how the SIM cards were obtained. She added that the scammers also targeted Nigerian citizens with fake job offers in India.