NewDelhi: In a major breakthrough in a long-running cyber fraud case,

the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Nigerian national Adia Okoh, alias Odia Francis Ehizogie, a proclaimed offender in a 2011 email scam.

Okoh was detained at Mumbai airport while attempting to flee India, following a tip-off received by the agency.

The case dates back to January 27, 2012, when the CBI registered an FIR under IPC sections 419, 420 read with 511 and 120-B, along with sections 66A(b) & (c) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, against unknown persons.

The probe began after a complaint was filed regarding a fraudulent email received on June 17, 2011.

The email falsely claimed that the recipient had won GBP 7,50,000 from the Orthodox Church Foundation and sought personal details, ultimately deceiving the victim into transferring Rs. 16,700 to a State Bank of India account.

During the investigation, another accused, Osin Daniel, was arrested, but Okoh managed to evade authorities.

A chargesheet was filed against both in December 2015, and Okoh was declared a proclaimed offender by the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Tis Hazari Court, New Delhi, in October 2016. Look Out Circulars (LOCs) were issued to track his movements.

"A team of CBI officials, acting on specific inputs, intercepted Adia Okoh at Mumbai airport," a senior CBI official said.

"He is being brought to Delhi on transit remand and will be produced before the Rouse Avenue Courts for further legal proceedings."

This arrest highlights the persistent threat of email scams and cyber frauds in India, where unsuspecting victims continue to fall prey to phishing attempts and online financial deception.

The CBI has urged people to remain cautious of such fraudulent schemes and report suspicious emails to authorities.