‘White’ Nigerian gang dupes businessman of Rs 42L

AHMEDABAD: Businessman Datta Bhoite was the cynosure of all eyes when top executives of a South African MNC came to his home to sign an MoU to buy a real estate property he owned opposite Maninagar railway station. Bhoite dreamt of selling the property for Rs 21 crore, but ended up being duped of Rs 42 lakh, thanks to an elaborate fraud designed by a Nigerian gang.
Bhoite, who is related to a top BJP leader of Gujarat, treated the so-called foreign delegates — two white and three black men — with a traditional welcome of garlands, sweets and beating of drums.
Bhoite even deposited Rs 42 lakh in 17 bank accounts of the fake MNC as fees and tax for international funds transfer. But the executives disappeared once the money was put to their accounts, never to be seen again.
After waiting for months, Bhoite last week registered a complaint of fraud with the crime branch against the yet-to-be-identified conmen. The cops believe Bhoite was taken for a ride by a Nigerian gang based in Mumbai. “We have sent teams to Mumbai, Delhi, Bhopal and Jabalpur,” said a senior crime branch official.
The fraudsters got in touch with Bhoite after he posted an advertisement to sell his property in February 2012. The five ‘MNC executives’ were even treated to a sumptuous lunch at Bhoite’s home after which the deal was struck.
“Vincent, the leader of this delegation, told Bhoite that land transfer formalities should be commenced only after the Rs 21 crore was credited to his bank account,” said a crime branch official. “This is the first time that we have come across white men joining hands with Nigerian scamsters. It may be a trick to win victims’ confidence.”