In a major breakthrough, the crime branch police in New Delhi have busted four persons including two Nigerian nationals for allegedly duping an NRI two years ago. They allegedly sold fake licorice seeds (which is one of the herbs used in traditional medicines for ages). They charged NRI Rs. 43.5 lakh for selling these fake seeds.

The police arrested Narender Sharma (aged 38 years), Gurmeet Kohil (aged 46 years) and two other Nigerians after they received a complaint from an NRI and a Bangalore-based entrepreneur, Raghavendra Bhatt.

The police have said that they have recovered two mobile phones, a sample packed of licorice seed, a laptop and a packet of fake money from the accused. The complainants have, according to the police, identified the accused.

It may be recalled the complainant who said who was duped lakhs of money received a mail in December 2010 about a business opportunity in India. He showed interest in the mail and exchanged a couple of mails with Terry John (the name mentioned in the name). The NRI person came to know about licorice seed and paid the demanded money to get that 100 packets of licorice seed on getting to know the huge profits of this herb. He was, however handed over only one packet as a sample in Delhi by the accused Sharma.    (Phani)