Three Nigerian nationals were arrested in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, on charges of extortion after allegedly duping individuals through social media and dating applications. Posing as women from western countries, they befriended victims and manipulated them into transferring money. The police reported that the suspects were apprehended on Thursday and subsequently placed in judicial custody after a brief remand. Two of the accused had arrived in India on student visas in 2017 and 2018, while the third entered illegally via the Bangladesh border in 2022. They lived together in rented accommodation in Noida, where they operated their scam for nearly a year, utilizing international SIM cards to maintain the illusion that they were communicating from abroad. One victim reported transferring ₹69,900 (approximately $840 USD) after being told that the impersonated woman was stranded in Mumbai without Indian currency. The police have initiated an investigation to uncover additional victims and trace the extorted money, having recovered 19 mobile phones, a laptop, and 18 active SIM cards during the operation.