Indian authorities have arrested two Nigerians – Nwankwo Raphael Chinonso (34) and Azudiefe Emeka Emanuel (38) – for allegedly duping people on social media after befriending them.

The duo posed as women to scam unsuspecting Indians of several lakh rupees, Mumbai police said on Saturday.

The suspects, who reportedly reside in Navi Mumbai, were arrested by Crime Branch”s Unit IX near Bandra Reclamation in the metropolis.

“They created fake social media profiles and befriended people by posing as women. They would tell the victims that they were sending a precious gift as a token of friendship but the consignee will have to pay Customs duty and processing fees,” he said.

“They would give an account number in which the duty and fees were to be deposited. We have found numbers of several of their victims, including one who told us he was cheated of Rs 7 lakh. We have seized 10 mobile phones, two laptops, two Nigerian passports and several documents,” the official added.

The two are suspected to have pulled off this scam across the country and have been charged under relevant sections of the IPC and Information Technology Act, he said.