Pharma firm owner duped of Rs 87 lakh, 4 held

HYDERABAD: Cyber crimes unit of Hyderabad police arrested four persons, including a Nigerian, for duping a city-based pharma company owner of 87 lakh. Vincent Ibhaduwede (37), Shakil (34), Arvind Mishra (45) and Saifullah Khan (53) were arrested in Mumbai for the fraud within one month after the registration of the case.
The main accused, Christopher, who is absconding, was the kingpin posing as 'Dr Arthur Williams' of Lexo Pharma company of US. Christopher emailed the complainant, a pharma researcher and manufacturer from Tarnaka in February 2023, proposing a business opportunity involving supply of 2,000 packets of 'cissus populnea' (used to treat venereal, stomach and skin infections) stems each month.
The complainant fell for the bait. To establish credibility, complainant was initially asked to purchase three packets of cissus populnea stems as a sample from a fictitious supplier, Monika Sharma, for which he transferred 1.4 lakh into bank account of a fictitious company, Siya Enterprices, linked to Monika. These samples were handed over to a Delhi-based African national, Danny.
Fraudsters then persuaded complainant to make payment of 87 lakh into Siya Enterprises between March and May 2023 for the 2,000 packets. The amount was withdrawn by Shakil and Mishra and handed to Vincent who sent it to Christopher. Saifullah created a bank account under the name of Siya Enterprises using forged documents. As accused stopped responding to messages and emails, the pharma firm owner lodged a police complaint on May 16.