A Nigerian drug boss has been arrested for deceiving people into smuggling drugs using romance scams and fake investments.

K Jeff, a 59-year-old leader of a drug gang based in Nigeria, was caught in a joint operation by Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) and Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

His group ran drug operations across Southeast Asia, Africa, Korea, America, and Europe. They also used romance scams and fake investment offers to trick victims into carrying drugs.

The gang lured victims online by pretending to be romantic partners or business investors. They convinced them to travel abroad and deliver gifts, such as backpacks, sweets, or grocery items. But these items were secretly packed with illegal drugs.

One victim was a Korean woman in her 50s, who unknowingly transported cocaine hidden in shaving wax from Brazil to Cambodia through Korea. Authorities have identified at least ten other victims, including foreigners.

K Jeff was deported from Korea in 2008 after serving a one-year prison sentence for drug-related crimes. However, he continued smuggling drugs from Nigeria into Korea and other countries, sourcing them from Central America and Southeast Asia.

In 2021, Korean authorities uncovered a Nigerian drug ring smuggling drugs from Ghana. This led them to track down K Jeff and his organization.

The NIS has seized 45.6 kg of drugs from the gang, including 28.4 kg of methamphetamine, and arrested 38 members.

Officials warn people to be cautious about online strangers asking them to deliver packages to other countries.

Stay alert and avoid getting tricked into illegal activities. If something sounds suspicious, report it to the authorities.