The police have detained two Nigerian students who allegedly orchestrated what was dubbed an 'African Scam' to cheat an engineer of over RM47,700 in Subang Jaya.

The first suspect was nabbed at 7am yesterday, followed by the other, about 30 minutes later at a condominium in Subang.

Dang Wangi district police deputy chief Supt Habibi Majinji said today the Nigerians, aged 28 and 35, studied at a private college in Kuala Lumpur and were remanded until Sunday.

Habibi said the duo had been staying in the country for more than six years, adding that the police also seized four laptops, seven mobile phones of various brands and RM5,000 from the suspects.

He told reporters the arrests followed a police report lodged by an oil and gas company engineer who became the victim of the 'African Scam' recently.

Habibi said the victim claimed he had been cheated by a 'woman' from the United Kingdom, known as 'Saltina', via Facebook.

"The woman was said to have sent a parcel containing a laptop, iPad, a pair of suits, T-shirt as well as £200,000 to the victim but claimed the parcel was being held up by the Customs Department."

Habibi said the engineer was asked to pay RM47,730 in stages to an account belonging to a man named James to facilitate release of the parcel from the department.

"The victim realised he had been conned when he failed to receive any parcel, even after settling the payment," he said.

- Bernama