Indian authorities have arrested a Nigerian national, Patrick Ngomere, for allegedly hacking into the email account of Family Care Pvt. Limited, a pharmaceutical company, and fraudulently diverting Rs 11.73 lakh (approximately $13,361).
According to the Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police, Ngomere, who resides in Greater Noida, was apprehended near an ATM after investigators traced the fraudulent transaction to a bank account linked to his mobile phone. Further investigations revealed that he was staying in India without a valid visa.
The scam reportedly began on December 10 when the pharmaceutical company received an email impersonating its vendor, Accent Pharma, requesting payment to a newly provided bank account. Unaware of the fraud, the company transferred Rs 11.76 lakh before discovering the deception.
Authorities traced the hacked email’s origin to Nigeria and tracked the stolen funds to a Manipur-based bank account. Surveillance footage led to Ngomere’s arrest.
He now faces charges under India’s Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Foreigners Act, as law enforcement agencies continue investigations into his suspected involvement in a larger cybercrime syndicate.