Global Drug Syndicate Exposed: A Tale of Romance Scams, Forex Fraud, and Money Laundering
Unraveling a Tangled Web of Crime from the US to Nigeria via India
In an extensive operation that spans three continents, the Telangana Anti Narcotics Bureau (TANB) has uncovered a complex drug money laundering scheme involving over Rs 6.64 crore. The intricate network stretches from the United States to India and Nigeria, revealing a bold and intricate criminal enterprise.
The Architect: Divine Ebuka Suzee
At the center of this scheme is Divine Ebuka Suzee, a Nigerian national who entered India on a tourist visa and quickly established a network to move drug profits covertly. Despite returning to Nigeria in 2023, Suzee’s syndicate continued operations through a series of accomplices—many of whom entered India on tourist or student visas, lured by the promise of quick and easy money.
Love Scams and Stolen US Identities
One of the most disturbing aspects of the operation was its use of romance scams to target unsuspecting women in the US, particularly divorced Latina women. Using fake profiles and stolen US passport data, one of the accused, Ugwu Ikechukwu alias Emma, posed as a romantic interest online. Once trust was established, victims were persuaded to share bank and credit card information, which was then used to receive drug payments from US-based customers.
The Money Trail: Forex Fraud and Money Transfer Services
Once the funds hit these mule accounts, the money moved effortlessly across borders. Smaller amounts (under $2,500) were channeled through money transfer services like Western Union, RIA Money, and MoneyGram, primarily from California to Hyderabad. For larger sums, the syndicate turned to bank accounts of Indians in the US, using local forex agents to convert and move the funds.
- Mohammed Mateen Siddiqui, a Hyderabad resident and forex agent, played a significant role in the money laundering scheme.
- Siddiqui provided bank accounts and processed high-volume illegal transfers, earning double the usual commission for the risk.
The Final Leg: Physical Cash Transfers to Mumbai
The final stage involved physical cash transfers to Mumbai, where Chukwu Ogbonna alias Big Joe handed over the laundered money to Nigerian businessmen involved in the garments trade. From there, the funds were transferred to Suzee in Nigeria through internal account movements.
Investigators traced fund flows of Nigerian naira ₦6.6 crore (Rs 36.84 lakh), $6,34,426, and Rs 85.4 lakh (totaling Rs 6.6 crore) through various illegal channels.
Hyderabad: A Crucial Hub in the Global Drug Network
Hyderabad has emerged as a major distribution and consumption hub in a global drug trafficking network that spans three continents, according to the Telangana Anti Narcotics Bureau (TGANB). The recent arrest of two Nigerian nationals and a city-based forex agent has exposed a sophisticated racket involved in supplying cocaine and MDMA to clients in both India and the US.
