Cyber Crime Alert: Zimbabwe Nationals Arrested in ₹1.10 Crore WHO Scam Operated from India

Cyber Fraud Busted: Zimbabwe Nationals Running ₹1.10 Crore Scam from India Using WHO's Name

In a major breakthrough, Kolkata Police has busted a cyber fraud racket operated by Zimbabwe nationals from India. The cybercrime involved cheating a senior executive of a pharmaceutical company by misusing the name of the World Health Organization (WHO) and fabricating documents to make the scam appear legitimate. The accused defrauded the victim of a whopping ₹1.10 crore under the pretext of investing in the kola nut trade.

Accused Arrested from Mohali

Acting on a detailed investigation, a team from Kolkata Police’s Cyber Cell, in coordination with the Punjab Police, arrested three Zimbabwean nationals from the Kharar area in Mohali. During the raid, authorities seized:

• 6 mobile phones

• 1 laptop

• Several fake banking and identity documents

The accused were operating a cyber fraud ring from within India, and investigators suspect this is part of a larger international scam network targeting Indian businesses and professionals.

How the Scam Unfolded

According to a report by The Times of India, the accused contacted the victim, Sandeep Guha, a senior executive at a leading pharma company, using UK-based WhatsApp numbers. They impersonated representatives of a reputed British pharmaceutical firm and claimed to be part of a WHO-backed kola nut trade initiative.

To make the scam appear credible, the fraudsters used:

• Fake email IDs

• Forged WHO and UK pharma company letterheads

• False documents portraying export deals

They claimed that kola nuts, used in the treatment of certain mental health conditions, were in high demand and sought the victim’s investment in the trade.

Gradual Trust-Building Before the Big Con

To win the victim's trust, the scammers arranged a small delivery of kola nuts, which was enough to convince him of the trade’s authenticity. They also introduced him to fake Northeast Indian traders, further deepening the deception.

Over multiple transactions, the victim ended up transferring a total of ₹1.10 crore into various bank accounts, believing he was investing in a legitimate pharmaceutical deal.

Alarming Rise of International Cybercrime in India

Investigators believe this arrest signals a wider trend of foreign nationals operating sophisticated cyber scams from within Indian cities, often using fake identities and digital tools to exploit businesses and individuals.

The arrested Zimbabweans are now being taken to Kolkata on transit remand, where further interrogation is expected to uncover more members of this cybercrime network.

The case has been registered under:

• Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for fraud

• Information Technology (IT) Act provisions related to cybercrime

What You Can Learn from This Case:

🔒 Be cautious of unsolicited business deals, even if they appear to involve reputable organizations like WHO.
📞 Verify the identity of individuals contacting you via international numbers or unknown emails.
📂 Do not transfer large sums of money without physical verification or official background checks.
🛡️ Report suspicious emails, messages, or calls to cybercrime.gov.in or your local police station.

Stay informed. Stay alert. Cybercriminals are becoming smarter—but so can you.