Police in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, say they have uncovered a suspected interstate cyber fraud network allegedly run with the help of foreign students, leading to the arrest of a Nigerian national enrolled as an MSc Nursing student.

The suspect, identified as Saifu Mayana Umar, was picked up from his hostel after a coordinated operation involving cybercrime units from multiple Indian states. Investigators allege that Umar and his associates, including a man identified only as Yusuf and several other Nigerian nationals, built an organised network to defraud victims across India.

According to police, the gang allegedly targeted people online with offers of lucrative returns from investments in foreign companies and stock market schemes. Victims were reportedly persuaded to transfer money into bank accounts controlled by the group, believing they were participating in legitimate investment opportunities.

Once funds were received, officers say the money was rapidly siphoned off through layers of bank accounts and ATM withdrawals to obscure the trail. Cyber investigators have so far linked the network to at least 16 registered fraud cases, many of them reported from southern states.

Authorities have traced transactions amounting to about ₹45 lakh through Umar’s bank account, which they believe are connected to these complaints. The cases were initially flagged on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, prompting alerts to local police and the circulation of details of suspicious bank accounts.

Cybercrime teams from Telangana and Tamil Nadu subsequently coordinated with Meerut police, sharing technical inputs and transaction data that helped pinpoint Umar’s alleged role. Officers say his interrogation has produced “crucial leads” and that more suspects have now been named in the case.

During searches, police seized a laptop, five ATM cards, two bank passbooks, a SIM card, a passport, a Union Bank cheque book and two mobile phones. These electronic devices have been sent for forensic examination to recover deleted data, trace communication patterns and map the wider network.

Investigators allege that one of the accused attempted to destroy banking documents shortly before the raid, but some financial records were recovered and are being examined alongside bank-supplied transaction histories to track possible international money flows.

Umar has reportedly told police that a portion of the funds in his account was deposited by Yusuf and later withdrawn on his instructions. Police say they are in the process of securing warrants for additional suspects and may seek international assistance if the trail extends beyond India.

Umar has been released on notice while the investigation continues. His passport has been confiscated, and he has been ordered to remain confined to his university hostel pending further legal action.