31 DEC 2020
EFCC Secures 865 Convictions, Receives 10,152 Petitions In 2020[ EFCC end of year Message ]
The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC,
Mohammed Umar Abba, has said that the Commission secured 865 convictions from
a total of 1,305 cases it filed in courts in 2020.
He said that a total of 7,340 cases were under investigation out of the 10, 152
petitions received by the Commission.
The EFCC acting Chair added that the Commission also recorded humongous cash
recoveries and seizure of a significant number of assets from persons indicted
of corruption, following due legal process.
Abba, who made the disclosure in his end-of-year message, also thanked the staff
of the Commission for their dedication, hard work and sacrifices in the discharge
of their duties, which contributed to the feat recorded in 2020.
Describing the year under review as "unique for obvious reasons", Abba further
revealed that the Commission’s projections anchored on a strategic vision were
greatly slowed down by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to him, "The lockdown enforced as part of measures to stem the spread
of the deadly virus precipitated a scale down of our operations."
"For more than five months, activities were at the lowest ebb in our 17-year history
as an institution."
"Also, a reform process that witnessed a change in the leadership of the Commission
naturally created anxiety among critical stakeholders."
He, however, said that the Commission, in spite of the overwhelming odds, was still
able to achieve significant milestones across the spectrum of its work.
Abba also expressed the desire to make the EFCC more effective through expansion of
its activities, strengthening existing collaborations with other law enforcement
agencies, building new linkages with relevant stakeholders and improving on its
processes and procedures.
The EFCC boss, who reassured staff of management’s commitment to their welfare at
all times in order to ensure greater performance, stated that “ As a dynamic and
responsive organisation, we will continually engage staff and review policies to
motivate all for greater performance.
"I am confident that we can face the future together."
"My faith is premised on our collective strength to uphold the oath which we took
to rid Nigeria of corruption."
"No adversity can shake this faith, as we look to the future with renewed zeal,
holding aloft the blazing flame of anti-corruption."
He, therefore, also charged the staff to be more committed to the anti-graft campaign,
adding that “if the EFCC fails, the fight against corruption in Nigeria is imperiled.”
Here is a link to the above press release:
efcc-secures-865-convictions-receives-10-152-petitions-in-2020
Here is an additional link to the EFCC End of Year Message:
year-end-message-from-efcc
419 Coslition Comments:
Though we would agree that EFCC deserves a "pat on the back" for its work in
2020, from a Counter-419 point of view, we have a few comments and questions
concerning the press release:
1. Of the cases brought and convictions total, how many were for 419?
2. On the number of 419 petitions received, if EFCC would consider each 419
solicitation forwarded to them (wih headers) to be a petition received (a
complaint filed) the numbers would be Staggering. And, the EFCC should
actively encourage the submission of such forwards to their offices.
3. In terms of "humungous cash recoveries" - how many recoveries in 419
cases were made? In what amount? What percentage of 419 losses were
recovered? Of the monies recovered, how much was verifiably repatriated
to 419 victims? What percentage of 419ed monies recovered was that? And,
we'd prefer actual, verifiable Numbers to quantifications along the lines
of "humungous cash recoveries" etc, as catchy as the phrase undeniably is :)
4. How much in recovered 419ed monies exists? Where is it? Who controls
it? Why is there not an easily publicly available accounting for these
funds? When will they be distributed to 419 victims? Who is responsible
for making such distributions and following up on them? 419 Coalition has
Lots of questions on the matter of recovery and verifiable repatriation of
recovered 419ed monies..... as we have noted before, recovered monies
do not do 419 victims a lick of good, unless said monies are repatriated
to them. From a victim point of view, if the Nigerian Government just
holds such monies without repatriating them, the victim has merely traded
one thief for another. What victims of 419 want is their money back -
no matter who has it.... be it 419ers or the Nigerian Government.
5. Finally 419 Coalition would like to end 2020 with yet another
plea for justice, recovery, and restitution, in the famous Odiawa case.......
According to private reports received by 419 Coalition from trusted
sources, the EFCC has still neither recovered nor repatriated even
$1.00 in the famous Odiawa case of over a decade ago.
Readers will recall that the Odiawa case was one of the few back then
in which the 419er was convicted in Nigeria and went to prison. Restitution
of more than a million US$ was ordered by the Court at that time. However, the
Nigerian Government and the EFCC have been unable to recover and repatriate
even $1.00 to the victim as of the end of 2019.
Yes, you heard that right - over $2 million was stolen by this convicted
419er, and the vaunted EFCC, in over a decade, could not even find $1.00
to recover and repatriate to the victim. Neither 419er money, nor real
estate, nor anything of any real value could be found to recover and
"restitute".... Nothing....
The main man in charge of the EFCC's recovery and repatriation effort
in this case was Mr. Olaolu Adegbite, who headed up the Advance
Fee Fraud section of the EFCC from 2003 until March 2012, when he
was promoted to Director of Operations of the EFCC. We're not too
sure exactly what factors led to Mr. Adegbite's promotion, but his
performance in the recovery and restitution phase of the Odiawa case
certainly could not have been among them, given that there were no
tangible results to show for his efforts in that regard....
In fact, EFCC looked so long in its fruitless search for Odiawa's tainted
assets that the convict has long finished finished up his jail sentence and
has gone his merry way. Guess he is living on air or something though, since
according to the EFCC he has no income or assets to seize to pay restitution
out of.
Let us hope that 2021 will be the victim's lucky year and that the EFCC
will see to it that the court ordered restitution actually gets paid.
You know, even in the unlikely event that Odiawa actually does have no
assets to seize, the EFCC claims to have something like $700 million in
unclaimed monies recovered from 419ers sitting in escrow someplace....
at 419 Coalition, we say pay the restitution out of That - after all,
it is victims' money, not Nigerian government money. So use it to
compensate victims - and those with Court Ordered Restitution should
be at the top of the list, our view!
Here is an Online Nigeria link to a story on the case
which includes photos:
Internet fraud kingpin bags 376 year jail term
Here is another from The Register in the UK:
419er jailed for 376 years
419 Coalition note: Since the sentences on each count were to be
served concurrently, the Actual jail sentence was 12 years (with
time off for good behavior etc.).
***********************************************
31 DEC 2020
EFCC Arrests 21 For Alleged Internet Fraud In Lagos
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal
Office, have arrested 21 persons for their alleged involvement in computer-related
fraud.
The suspects are: Shittu Yakubu, Akinsola Afeez, Adeniyi Joseph, Opeyemi Wahab,
Idris Sunday, Lawal Moshood, Jubril Yusuf, Olusegun Mohammed, Adekunle Adesanya
and Damilola Abijide.
Others are: Sola Adio, Oladipo Ademola, Damilola Adewale, Akinsola Ridwan, Ogunlaye
Damilare, Falaye Peters, Magnus Toni, Onanuga Ahmed, Bolarinwa Segun, Onanuga Olawale
and Ayomide Afeez.
The suspects, who are members of an organized cybercrime syndicate, were arrested
on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 during an early morning operation at Roxbury Leisure
Homes Phase 2, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ikota, Lagos, following credible intelligence
received by the Commission about their alleged criminal activities.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly been defrauding unsuspecting
members of the public of their hard-earned money before their arrest.
Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest are 12 vehicles, mobile phones
and laptop computers.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-arrests-21-for-alleged-internet-fraud-in-lagos
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31 DEC 2020
Three Fraudsters Jailed in Uyo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Uyo Zonal Office has today
secured the conviction of Ekemini Akaninyene, Ikekha Martins and Peter Alban.
They were convicted on charges of impersonation, phishing and hacking of e-mail
accounts by Justice Adamu Mohammed of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port
Harcourt Rivers State.
The trio, based on a plea bargain agreement by the parties, pursuant to Section
270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, pleaded 'guilty'
to the separate one count charge preferred against them by the Commission.
Following the adoption of the plea bargain agreement, Justice Adamu Mohammed
convicted and sentenced the defendants to six months imprisonment each, with
the option of a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N150,000) only.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of all the instruments used by the
convicts in committing the crimes to the Federal Government.
The convicts were arrested in Uyo Akwa Ibom State on December 11, 2020.
Documents recovered from his email showed that Akaninyene posed as an American
porn star, Ashley Adams, with the intent to defraud; while Chigozie Alban was
sending bulk scam mails, with intent to defraud his victims, most of them American
citizens.
Martins was convicted for hacking the Facebook account of one Mr. Godwin and
others, with intent to defraud.
three-fraudsters-jailed-in-uyo
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24 DEC 2020
Court Jails Man 18 Months For Romance Scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Lagos Zonal Office, has secured the
conviction and sentencing of one Iweregbu Daniel Chima to 18 months imprisonment
before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja,
Lagos.
The convict, who created many social media accounts and presented himself as Larry
Pham, had defrauded his unsuspecting victims, mostly females, online to the tune of
$166,000 between July 2017 and June 2018.
He was arraigned on December 4, 2020 on a three-count charge bordering on cheating,
obtaining by false pretence and retention of proceeds of crime, following a report
received by the Commission from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI, about
his involvement in computer-related fraud.
He pleaded "guilty" to the charge preferred against him during his arraignment.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Bala Buhari, urged the court
to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced him to 18 months
imprisonment, with an option of fine of N300, 000.00.
The defendant was ordered to pay the sum of $15,000 in favour of the United States
Consulate, being refund of part of the money he had unlawfully benefitted.
The press release includes a photo:
court-jails-man-18-months-for-romance-scam
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21 DEC 2020
EFCC Secures Two Convictions for Fraud in Kaduna
Justice M. Tukur of the State High Court Kaduna has convicted and sentenced
two persons to various jail terms for fraud. One of them, Adeshina Abdulrasheed
was sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment on a one count charge bordering
on cheating and impersonation, while the other, Danjuma Bilyaminu bagged six months
jail term.
The charge against Abdulrasheed reads "That you Adeshina Abdulrasheed, sometime
in July 2020 at Barnawa and within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did
attempt an offence of cheating by impersonation, when you pretended to be one
Lollie Garbow on Facebook and in such assumed character, sent several scam messages
to unsuspecting victims wherein you fraudulently told them about a Bill and Malinda
Gate Foundation programme with intent of cheating them, thereby committed an offence
contrary to Section 57 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under
Section 309 of the same Law."
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting prosecuting counsel, P.C Onyeneho
to ask the court to convict him accordingly.
Justice Tukur consequently convicted and sentenced Abdulrasheed to two and a half
years imprisonment with the option of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira(N150,000:00)
fine. The iphone used in perpetrating the crime was ordered forfeited to the Federal
Government.
Abdulrasheed who hails from Oyo State but resides in Jos, Plateau State, was arrested
at a hotel in Kaduna by Operatives of the Commission acting on intelligence.
He is alleged to be involved in dating scam on Instagram and lures women to send
him money as gift cards which he sells on Paxful Platform and convert to Bitcoin.
He uses 'Ryan Edward' on his Instagram handle and defrauded M. Carmen, a Mexican,
among other victims.
Further investigation revealed that he has twelve facebook accounts bearing the
following names: Alex Wolf, Anas Charalabou, Betty Jimenez, Ehi Kingley, Arobot
Abdul and others.
In a related development, Justice Tukur convicted and sentenced one Nura Danjuma Bilyaminu
to six months inprisonment without option of fine for obtaining money by false pretence.
The defendant who is the promoter of Binomo Trade Investment between April 1, 2020 and
November 3, 2020 defrauded many victims of a culmulative sum of three million three hundred
and twenty eight thousand four hundred and thirty nine naira(N3,328,439:00) in phony investment,
using promises of mouthwatering returns on investment as baits.
The charge reads, "that you Nura Danjuma (M)sometimes in May, 2020 in Kaduna within the
jurisdiction of this Honorable court, did commit cheating to wit; by representing yourself
to be Umar Usman to one Abubakar Abdullahi and fraudulently induced him to pay you the sum
of Twenty Five Thousand Naira ( N25,000) as an investment for Binomo Trade Investment,
which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308
of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under section 309 of the same Law".
He pleaded guilty to the charge.
Prosecuting counsel, M. Lawal urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly, while
the defence counsel, U.A. Salisu pleaded for leniency.
Justice M. Tukur however convicted and sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment
without option of fine.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-secures-two-convictions-for-fraud-in-kaduna
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21 DEC 2020
EFCC Arrests 32 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Lagos
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office,
have arrested 32 persons for their alleged involvement in computer-related fraud.
The suspects are: Anthony Nicholas, Obabire Adebayo, Nwosu Ebuka, Obiora Udenta,
Adeoye David, Oni Oluwabunmi Olasunkanmi, Oiseomaye Mike, Ifeanyi Godwin and Obabire
Tunde.
Others are: Okafor Chibueze, Damilare Moronfayo, Micheal Makanjuola, Samuel Oyindamola,
Haruna Mubarak Okiki, Opeyemi Hassan, Salami Junior, Yusuf Quadri, Adediran Waris, Idoko
Shedrack, Andrew Agbai, Mercy Adedoyin, Olamide Mubarak, Damilare Babalola, Idris Mutairu,
Adebiye Michael, Idris Adasofunjo, Rasak Adasofunjo, Olawaye Olayemi, Amodu Idris, Adeniyi
Ahmed, Shittu Usman and Oli Maduabuchi Charles.
They were arrested on Monday, December 21, 2020 during an early morning operation at
Plot 12, Road 2, Goodnews Estate, Sangotedo, along Lekki-Ajah Way and Chevyview Estate,
Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the Commission
about their alleged criminal activities.
The suspects had allegedly been defrauding unsuspecting members of the public of their
hard-earned money before their arrest.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-arrests-32-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos
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18 DEC 2020
Five Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms in Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
has secured the conviction and sentencing of five internet fraudsters before
Justice Sherifah Solebo, Justice Mojisola Dada and Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo
of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
The convicts are: Onyenwe Toluwalase Onyeka, Olaogun Badmus, Olakunle Abeigbe,
Michael Preye Obi and Abua James.
They were arrested in different parts of Lagos by operatives of the Commission
and subsequently arraigned on separate charges bordering on possession of documents
containing false pretences, to which they all initially pleaded "not guilty."
The defendants, who all confessed their involvement in the criminal activities in
their respective statements to the Commission, thereafter, entered a plea bargain
with the Commission, thereby prompting an amendment to the charges preferred against
them.
During subsequent proceedings, the defendants each changed their pleas from "not
guilty" to "guilty".
The prosecution, therefore, reviewed the facts of the cases and urged the courts
to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
Consequently, Justice Solebo sentenced Onyeka to three months imprisonment, with
an option of fine of N50, 000.00(Fifty Thousand Naira) and slammed a six-month
jail term on Abeigbe, with an option of fine of N250, 000.00(Two Hundred and
Fifty Thousand Naira).
Justice Solebo also sentenced Badmus to six months imprisonment, with an option
of fine of N200,000.00(Two Hundred Thousand Naira).
Justice Dada sentenced Obi to one year imprisonment, with an option of fine of
N500,000.00(Five Hundred Thousand Naira).
James was sentenced to six months imprisonment, with an option of fine of
N250,000.00(Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) by Justice Taiwo.
The courts ordered the forfeiture of the items recovered from the convicts
to the Federal Government.
five-internet-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-in-lagos
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16 DEC 2020
EFCC Wins Cybercrimes Prevention Award
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday,
December 12, 2020, emerged best cybercrime Prevention agency in
Nigeria at the second Security and Emergency Management Award
(SAEMA). The accolade was earned by the Ibadan zonal office of
the EFCC which was recognized for its zeal in combating cybercrimes.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Acting Chairman of the Commission,
Mohammad Abba Umar, Head of the Ibadan Zonal Office, Kanu Idagu,
thanked the organisers for recognizing the work of the Commission.
"We work to make sure we exceed our limits. Whatever we do this year,
with this encouragement, definitely the staff will be motivated to do
more", he said.
Idagu stressed that the Commission cannot sit and watch the reputation
of the country being tarnished by criminals adding that the EFCC will
not relent in arresting and ensuring discreet prosecution of such criminals.
The event which took place at the Nicon Luxury Hotels, Abuja was the second
in series after the median edition, last year,
SAEMA is an initiative of Emergency Digest, a subsidiary of Image Merchants
Limited.
According to the organisers, a total of 254 entries were received for all the
categories out of which, 136 nominees qualified for the competition, and 54
finalists were selected by the jury from which 18 winners of the 18 categories
emerged, including the EFCC.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-wins-cybercrimes-prevention-award
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16 DEC 2020
Beware of Scam Alert, EFCC Warns
The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
has been drawn to a misinformation trending on the social media of a
Scam Alert which purportedly emanated from EFCC Help Desk Headquarters,
Jabi-Abuja.
For the avoidance of doubt, EFCC has no such desk and any information
which supposedly emanated from the said EFCC HELP DESK, did not originate
from the EFCC.
The use of EFCC by the authors of the Scam Alert smacks of sinister
motives and it is important that the public is put on notice as the
Commission will not be responsible for anyone becoming a victim of
what is obviously a scam.
We urge the public to be circumspect and cross check any doubtful
information with the Commission.
The EFCC can be reached through the hotline: +2348093322644; or by
email : info@efccnigeria.org.
Messages can also be sent to the Commission's verified social media platforms -
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. All share the same address: @officialefcc.
beware-of-scam-alert-efcc-warns
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14 DEC 2020
Internet Fraudster Jailed Two Months in Ibadan
Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has
sentenced an internet fraudster, Tobiloba Taofeek Sanusi (a.k.a Gabriel
Hamilton), to two months community service after finding him guilty
of impersonation in a criminal charge filed against him by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office.
Sanusi, the 25-year-old who claimed to be a graduate of Entrepreneurship
was convicted on Monday, December 14, 2020 as the judge held that the Commission
successfully sustained the allegation of impersonating one Gabriel Hamilton
to defraud people through the use of the internet.
The offence is contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap, 38, Laws of
Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.
The judge also ordered that the convict forfeits to the Federal Government of
Nigeria one black iPhone XR , one black Samsung Galaxy S8, one blue Fero Phone
F1100, one Silver Iphone 6 Plus mobile phones and one Silver Apple Laptop
Macbook Air.
The press release includes a photo:
internet-fraudster-jailed-two-months-in-ibadan
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14 DEC 2020
140 Cybercriminals Arrested Over Three Months In Lagos-EFCC
The Lagos Zonal Head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has disclosed that about 140 cybercriminals
were arrested in the zone over a period of three months.
He said 38 cybercriminals, including seven girls, were arrested on a
particular day during one of the raids in some parts of the state.
Speaking on a radio programme, Sadiq and the Guru on Lagos Talks 91.3FM,
on Monday, December 14, 2020, Bawa further lamented that cybercriminals
were not contributing genuinely to the economy of the country.
According to him, "we have carried out series of investigations regarding
computer-related fraud."
"We have done about nine of such investigations around the Lekki area
of Lagos."
"Over a period of three months, we arrested close to 140 cybercriminals."
"In one of the raids, we arrested 38, including seven girls, who are "girlfriends"
of the suspects. But the girls were immediately released after it was established
that they were not abetting or aiding their boyfriends in the alleged crime."
He described the development as "as a huge problem", and charged Nigerians to
join hands with the Commission to stamp out internet fraud from our society.
Responding to the allegation that the Commission had been thriving on media
trial, Bawa vehemently refuted the claim, saying it had always been peddled
by people who are ignorant of the modus operandi of the Commission.
Bawa, who also frowned on linking the achievements of the EFCC to alleged media
exposure, added that "The only place where a trial takes place is in the court."
"We charge people to court, and the court is at liberty to look at what we do.
If it agrees with what we have presented before it, it gives judgment in our
favour and vice-versa."
The press release includes a photo:
140-cybercriminals-arrested-over-three-months-in-lagos-efcc
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10 DEC 2020
Offa Poly Student Bags 9months Imprisonment over Internet Fraud
A 23 year-old HND 1 Student of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State,
Oladipo Opeyemi Juwon was on Thursday, December 10, 2020 sentenced to nine
months imprisonment by Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High
Court sitting in Ilorin over his involvement in internet scam.
The sentence followed his arraignment by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a three-count charge
bordering on cheating and attempting to cheat contrary to and punishable
under Section 324 of Penal Code Law of Kwara State.
Count one of the charge reads: "That you, Oladipo Opeyemi Juwon, sometime
in the month of March 2019, in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this
Honourable Court, did cheat by personation, by portraying yourself as a
white female named Frank Tinna via your email address franktinna66@gmail.com
to one Bernard Fontenot and induced him to send you the sum of $235 United
States Dollars vide gift cards, a representation you knew to be false and
thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 324 of the Penal Code and
punishable under the same Section of the Law."
Oladipo pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Following his plea, Enoch Onyedikachi, an operative of the EFCC was called
into the witness box to review the facts of the case.
Onyedikachi, while being led in evidence counsel to the EFCC, Andrew Akoja,
told the court how the crime was perpetuated.
"On the 7th of September, 2020, the EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Office received anonymous
petition from some concerned citizens in Offa about the activities of some internet
fraudsters in the area. The Commission swiftly placed surveillance on the area.
Consequently, on the 14th of September, we raided the place leading to the arrest
of the defendant and other suspects. Upon arrest, we recovered an iPhone from
the defendant."
"The defendant was brought to our Office on the 15th of September, 2020. We gave
him a computer attestation form, which he filled. We analysed his phone and email
address. Our findings revealed that the defendant was into internet fraud; a fact
he admitted to in writing."
In his judgment, Justice Abdulgafar said:
"I have considered the totality of the evidence placed before me; the plea of
the defendant; the exhibits tendered; the uncontradicted and unchallenged testimonies
of the sole prosecution witness, Enoch Onyedikachi, I hold the view that the prosecution
has proved its case beyond reasonable doubts."
The judge said further: "This court finds you, Oladipo Opeyemi Juwon guilty as
charged. I hereby sentence you to three months imprisonment on count 1 with option
of fine of N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira only). Three months imprisonment
on count two with option of fine of N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira) and
three months imprisonment on count three with N50,000 (fifty thousand naira)
as option of fine"
According to the judge, the sentence would commence on the 23rd of December, 2020
in view of the ongoing examinations at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, involving
the convict.
The judge also ordered the convict to forfeit his mobile phones and restitute
his victims.
The press release includes a photo:
offa-poly-student-bags-9months-imprisonment-over-internet-fraud
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9 DEC 2020
Two Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms in Ilorin
The Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, has secured the convictions of two serial
internet fraudsters before Justice Adenike Akinpelu and Justice
Mahmood Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, the
state capital.One of the convicts, Hammed Tope, 27 was prosecuted
on two-count charges of impersonation and obtaining by false
pretence before Justice Akinpelu, while Yusuf Amao, 31 faced
four-count charges, bordering on impersonation and obtaining
by false pretence before Justice Abdulgafar.
One of the charge against Tope read, "That you, Hammed Tope
( a.k.a Jennifer Tabor and Nancy Williams), sometime in August,
2019, in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court,
did cheat by impersonation, when you pretended to be one Sarah
Bajkowski, a white female with gmail account: Taliashepard225@gamil.com,
and fraudulently deceived one Bryan Pyle an American Citizen, to
send $500.00 (Five Hundred Dollars) to you through gift card after
you made him believe you were a lady in love with him and you thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code and
punishable under Section 324 of the same Penal Code."
A charge against Amao read, "That you, Yusuf Amoo, sometime in December,
2015, at Ilorin, within the judicial division of the High Court, did
cheat by impersonation, while acting as a white male, named John Kohns
with gmail account: johnklean5@gmail.com and in that guise induced one
Fahad Matar with email: dabyani1111@hotmail.com to send you the sum of
$800 (Eight Hundred USD) under the pretence of being an Investigation
Officer on Fraud Victim Compensation to enable him access $400,000 and
thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code."
Both of them pleaded guilty to all the charges against them.
While Justice Akinpelu gave Tope no custodial sentence, he sentenced him
to a fine of N600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand Naira) on count one and N300,000
(Three Hundred Thousand Naira) on count two.
Justice Abdulgafar sentenced Amao to 24 months imprisonment at six months
each on the four counts. Additionally, he is to restitute his victims of
the sums they lost to him and forfeit his phones, laptop and other tools,
used in the crime to the federal government
The press release includes photos:
two-internet-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-in-ilorin
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8 DEC 2020
EFCC Records Eleven Convictions in one Day
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Ibadan zonal office
on Monday, December 7, 2020 secures eleven convictions before Justice
Mohammed Abubakar, Justice Ibrahim Watilat and Justice W.O Akanbi of
the Federal High Court 1 and 2 Abeokuta as well as Oyo State High Court
2 Osogbo, Osun State respectively.
The convicts are: Tijesunimi Adedolapo Bakare, Oluwole Osholanke Paul
Oluwajuwonlo, Adeniran Timileyin, Adebambo Festus Damilare, Olaiya Olamide
Olagoke others are Baura Gbenga David, Manuel Obot, Babayanju Enoch Toluwani,
Shoyola Joseph, Timehin Olusola Fehintola and Olwagbenga Mujeeb Ejikune
They all pleaded guilty to the lone-count charge of impersonation separately
filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
Ibadan zonal office.
Prosecution Counsel prayed the court to convict them accordingly.
Justice Abubakar of Federal High Court 1 thereafter sentenced and convicted
Adebambo, Adeniran and Oluwajuwonlo to twelve months imprisonment each; Joseph
to ten months jail term, Babayanju, Obot, Baura and Bakare were convicted and
sentenced to four months imprisonment each while Olaiya was convicted and
sentenced to two months imprisonment.
Justice Watilat of the Federal High Court 2 convicted and sentenced Fehintola
to three months jail term with an option of N300,000 (Three Hundred thousand
Naira) fine.
Similarly, Justice W.O Akanbi of Osun State High Court 2 sitting in Osogbo
also convicted and sentenced Ejikunle to twenty four months imprisonment.
Ejikunle was found guilty of an amended charge of obtaining money by false
pretence contrary to section 419 0f the Criminal Code of Osun state, 2000.
The convicts are to forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal
Government of Nigeria, and also restitute sundry sums to their respective
victims
The press release includes photos:
efcc-records-eleven-convictions-in-one-day
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7 DEC 2020
Court Jails Man 18 Months In Prison For $15,000 Romance Scam
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
on Friday, December 4, 2020, secured the conviction of one Chimah Daniel Iweregbu,
who is on the wanted list of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation,
FBI, for engaging in internet fraud before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the
Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
He was arraigned on December 4, 2020, following his arrest by operatives of the
EFCC on August 12, 2020 for his involvement in online romance scam.
He pleaded "guilty" to the charges, prompting the prosecuting counsel, Franklyn
Ofoma, to urge the court to sentence and convict him accordingly.
In his review of the facts against the defendant, Ofoma told the court that
investigation of the FBI intelligence report given to the EFCC revealed that
he was into online romance scam.
"He normally disguised as Captain Larry Pham to defraud his victims, who are
mostly females."
"When he was arrested by the EFCC, he admitted his role in engaging in internet
scam," he said.
According to Ofoma, forensic analysis of his phone and computer revealed indicting
documents and other evidence, which he used to perpetrate the $15,000 fraud.
Ofoma, thereafter, presented in evidence the documents printed by the EFCC from
his mobile phone and computer, the statement he made in the EFCC custody as well
as the intelligence report of the FBI, all of which were admitted as exhibits.
The defence counsel, Z.S. Makinde, pleaded with the Court to temper justice with
mercy, as the convict did not waste the time of the Court and was a first-time
offender.
"He is a father of two and his wife just gave birth."
"He has also shown remorse; and at the time the offence was committed, he, indeed,
wanted to marry the white lady," he added.
Justice Taiwo sentenced him to 18 months in prison on each of the three counts to
run concurrently, with an option of fine of N100, 000.00 on each count.
The Judge also granted the application of the prosecution to forfeit the iPhone
and laptop recovered from him to the Federal Government.
court-jails-man-18-months-in-prison-for-15-000-romance-scam
************************************************
4 DEC 2020
Court Jails Three Fraudsters in Ilorin
The Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
on Friday, December 4, 2020 secured the conviction of three young men over their
involvement in offences bordering on internet fraud.
The convicts are: Tesleem Ajayi, Oladimeji Oluwatimileyin and John Inalegwu Okewu.
While Ajayi and Oluwatimileyin were convicted on two counts each, Okewu was jailed
on one count of fraud by Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court
sitting in Ilorin.
One of the counts against Ajayi reads:
"That you, Tesleem Ajayi, (Alias Alvarado Mall), sometime in the month of July 2020,
in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation,
by portraying yourself as a white female named Alvarado Mall to one Danielle Fatai
and in that guise induced him to send you $100USD via Amazon gift card, a representation
you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 324 of the
Penal Code and punishable under the same Section of the Law"
For Oluwatimileyin, one of the charges reads:
"That you, Oladimeji Oluwatimileyin (a.k.a Snyder Paul) sometime in October 2019
or thereabout at Offa, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court
dishonestly induced one Linda Rhind Medeiros, a white woman to send you an E-bay
gift card worth $30 USD, when you knowingly pretended and represented yourself to
be a white military man, Snyder Paul, who was in love with her, a representation
you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 and
punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria".
The charge against Okewu reads:
"That you, John Inalegwu Okewu on or about September 2020, in Ilorin, within the
jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did attempt to cheat by personation, by
portraying yourself as a single white male named John Roderick to one female named
Marling Alfaro in order to induce her to send you money, a representation you knew
to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 95 of the Penal
Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Law "
Each of the convicts pleaded guilty to the alleged offence.
The prosecuting counsel, Andrew Akoja, while reviewing the facts of the case led the
witnesses in evidence and tendered exhibits against the defendants.
The press release includes photos:
court-jails-three-fraudsters-in-ilorin
**************************************************
3 DEC 2020
Yahoo Boy Bags Jail Term for N.35m Scam in Benin
The Benin Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC, has
secured the conviction of Azeez Oriire Paul ( a.k.a Quineeth Chynaberry Laty) an
internet fraudster on a one count charge bordering on intent to defraud before
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Warri, Delta State.
Paul had sometime in 2017 sent fraudulent electronic messages to one Umudi Elvis
Kigho, which he relied upon and caused him to suffer the loss of Three Hundred and
Fifty Thousand Naira( N350,000).
The count reads: "that you Azeez Oriire Paul (a.k.a Qu Chynaberry Laty) sometime
in December 2017 at Warri, Delta State within the jurisdiction of this honourable
court did with intent to defraud sent electronic messages which materially misrepresent
facts to one Umudi Elvis Kigho upon which message he relied and caused him to suffer
financial loss of the sum of three hundred and fifty thousand Naira( N350,000) and
thereby committed an offence punishable under section 14 (2) of the Cybercrime
( Prohibition Prevention, etc) Act 2015".
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of the defendant's plea , the prosecution counsel, Austin .A. Ozigbo prayed
the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. However, counsel to the defendant,
Ikedi Abonyi appealed to the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant
has been remorseful for his action.
Justice Emeka Nwite thereafter convicted and sentenced the defendant to two months
imprisonment and ordered that convict makes restitution to the victim of the crime.
The press release includes a photo:
yahoo-boy-bags-jail-term-for-n-35m-scam-in-benin
**********************************************
3 DEC 2020
Yahoo Boy Bags Two Years Imprisonment in Enugu
Justice I.N. Buba of the Federal High Court, Enugu on Tuesday, November 24,
2020 convicted and sentenced one Ojike Odiwe Maduabuchi to two years imprisonment
or pay N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) option of fine for obtaining money
by false pretence.
The convict was prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on one-count charge of criminal impersonation.
The charge read, "That you, Ojike Odiwe Maduabuchi sometime in September 2020 in
Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, impersonated
one Michael Scott, an American citizen on your Whatsapp account and Thai Friendly
Application, with intent to obtain money from unsuspecting Asian women by false
pretence, punishable under Section 22(4) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention)
Act 2015."
He pleaded guilty, prompting prosecution counsel, Mainforce Adaka Ekwu to pray
the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
The Commission's investigation revealed that Maduabuchi impersonated foreign
nationals in his Whatsapp account andThai Friendly mobile app with the aim of
obtaining money from unsuspecting Asian women. More incriminating documents titled,
"Thip" and "Pranee" as well as his conversations with his target Asian women,
containing false pretences were found in his possession.
The press release includes a photo:
yahoo-boy-bags-two-years-imprisonment-in-enugu
****************************************************
3 DEC 2020
Court Remands Alleged Facebook Hacker in Prison
Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,
has remanded one Vincent Harrison Chukwuemeka, an alleged serial Facebook hacker,
in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service following his arraignment
on one count charge of fraud to the tune of N407, 000 fraud.
Trouble started for Chukwuemeka when a certain Felicity Felix Ekpezu petitioned
the Commission on January 5, 2020, alleging that on December 26, 2019, she received
strange chats on WhatsApp from the accused who claimed to be a female representative
of Facebook and WhatsApp from the United States of America, by name Lisa.
The complainant alleged that the defendant informed her that she had won $971
(Nine hundred and seventy one United States Dollars) and an Iphone 6s, and requested
her to pay N407, 000 (Four hundred and seven thousand naira) to redeem the items.
But after making the payment to the defendant, the complainant said she started
receiving calls from her friends and family members who accused her of duping
them using her Facebook account.
According to the complainant, it was at this point that it dawned on her that "Lisa"
had hacked her Facebook account and duped her friends and family members.
The defendant who was arrested on October 17, 2020, in his apartment at Ogidi Local
government area of Anambara state, confessed to crime.
The one-count charge against Chukwuemeka reads; "That you Vincent Harrison Chukwuemeka
"M" on or about the 26th of December, 2019 at Uyo within the jurisdiction of this
Honourable Court with intent to defraud did obtain the total sum of N407, 000.00 (Four
hundred and seven thousand naira only) from one Felicity Felix Ekpezu "F" under the
pretence that you are Lisa a representative of Facebook/WhatsApp and that the said
Felicity Felix Ekpezu had won $971 and an Iphone 6s thereby requesting her to pay
some money into your account in order to redeem the prize she won which she did,
a pretense you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section
1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and
punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act".
The defendant pleaded "not guilty".
In view of his plea, Nwandu Ukoha, counsel for the EFCC prayed the court for a
trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in the custody of the Nigeria
Correctional Service.
The press release includes a photo:
court-remands-alleged-facebook-hacker-in-prison
*********************************************
30 OCT 2020
EFCC, FCCPC Sign MoU with U.S. Trade Commission, to Combat Cross Border Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Federal Competition
and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, and the United States Federal Trade
Commission, FTC, have signed an upgraded Memorandum of Understanding, MoU,
of cooperation in combating cross border fraud.
The MoU which was jointly signed on October 27, 2020 by Mohammed Umar Abba,
acting Chairman, EFCC; Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice Chairman, FCCPC, and
Joseph Simmons, Chairman FTC provides a framework for continuous partnership
in the existing areas of cooperation - exchange of information and assistance
in consumer protection investigations.
The new MoU, which is an improved version of an earlier one signed in 2013,
establishes a joint implementation committee to develop joint training programmes
and workshops as well as provide assistance in respect of specific investigations.
It also acknowledges the participants' support for econsumer.gov, a joint project
of agencies from 40 countries for reporting international scam online.
The EFCC is the coordinating agency for the enforcement of all economic and financial
crimes laws in Nigeria. It has global network of partnerships in transnational organized
crime investigation.
The FCCPC's mandate is dealing with consumer protection issues in Nigeria, while
its U.S counterpart, the FTC, promotes antitrust, consumer protection and data
privacy enforcement among others.
efcc-fccpc-sign-mou-with-u-s-trade-commission-to-combat-cross-border-fraud
******************************************
20 OCT 2020
EFCC Arraigns Suspected Internet Fraudster For N2.4m Fraud
The Port Harcourt Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 arraigned Igwe Prince Chukwuebuka before Justice
I.M. Sani of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on a
three-count charge bordering on internet fraud and obtaining money under false
pretense to the tune of N2, 400, 000. 00 (Two Million, Four Hundred Naira only).
One of the charges read: "That you Igwe Chukwuebuka Prince, (Alias Andrews Grant
and Collins Williams) on or about the 3rd March, 2019, at Port Harcourt, Rivers
State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use the sum of Two
Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,400,000) to purchase a Toyota Camry 2008
model with registration number Imo NGN 240 MX and chassis number 4TIBK46K371155669
which sum you reasonably ought to know form part of proceeds from an unlawful act
to wit: obtaining by false pretense thereby committed an offence contrary to Section
15 (1) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibitions ) Act No 11, 2011 ( as amended)
and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act."
In view of his plea of "not guilty", prosecution counsel, Esin-Otu Ebipade, prayed
the court to remand the defendant in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, pending the
commencement of trial.
Justice Sani however granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5, 000,000, ( Five
Million Naira) and a surety in like sum.
He ordered the remand of the defendant in the EFCC custody and adjourned the matter
till January 19, 2021 for continuation of trial.
Chukwuebuka ran into trouble when, upon credible intelligence, a team of EFCC
operatives raided a hideout of suspected internet fraudsters in Omoku, Port Harcourt,
where he was arrested. Items such as a white 2008 Toyota Camry car and an infinix
X571 mobile phone were recovered from him.
Further investigation showed that he was involved in the impersonation of foreigners
to defraud both local and international victims.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-arraigns-suspected-internet-fraudster-for-n2-4m-fraud
*************************************************
16 OCT 2020
$105,000 Scam: EFCC Presents Additional Witness against Abuja Passport Racketeers
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, October 15,
2020, presented the fifth prosecution witness against Rabbi Okpara and Jude
Ugeaja (at large), who are facing criminal prosecution for international
passport racketeering before Justice D.Z. Senchi of the Federal Capital
Territory High Court, Abuja.
Both defendants were re-arraigned on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 on amended
four-count charge, bordering on breach of trust and obtaining by trick to the
tune of $105, 000 USD (One Hundred and five Thousand Dollars.)
One of the charges read, "That you, Rabbi Okpara and Jude Ugeaja (now at l
arge), sometime in August, 2019, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable
Court, conspired between yourselves to do an illegal act, to wit: fraudulently
and dishonestly inducing Nasiru Haladu Danu, Tommey Scott Ikott and Isaac
Akarolo Ovundah to deliver the sum of $35, 000 each to you on the pretence
of procuring a Republic of Malta 2nd citizen passport to them, thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 96 (1)(a) of the Penal Code, Laws
of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under Section 97 of the
same law."
They pleaded "not guilty" to the charges, setting the stage for prosecution
counsel, Fadila Yusuf, to ask the court to proceed with the trial.
At the resumed trial yesterday, PW5, Mukhtar Yahaya Dutse, an Immigration
Officer, from the headquarters Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS), led in
evidence by Yusuf, disclosed that NIS forensic analysis conducted on the
Malta citizen passports procured by the defendants for her victims, revealed
that they were counterfeits.
Following his cross-examination by defence counsel, A.S Adesino, all the
documents, including the forensic evaluations and their results as presented
by the witness, were tendered and admitted in court as exhibits.
Justice Senchi adjourned the case till October 29, 2020 for adoption of written
addresses in the no case submission by the defendants.
It could be recalled that Nasiru Haladu Danu, Tommey Scott Ikott, Isaac
Akarolo Ovundah, in a petition, alleged that the defendants handed them fake
travel documents after defrauding them to the tune of $105,000, at $35,000
each, for Maltese passport.
Danu, informed the EFCC that he indeed paid the defendants the sum of $35,000
for the Island of Malta travel documents and that aside being arrested and
detained upon arriving London Airport, his possessions and the travel documents
were confiscated by the London Airport authorities.
105-000-scam-efcc-presents-additional-witness-against-abuja-passport-racketeers
***********************************************
15 OCT 2020
EFCC Secures Conviction of Fraudsters, Arraigns Others in Ibadan
Justice Sherifat Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday,
October 14, 2020, sentenced one Balaji Salami to prison for fraud.
The convict was prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on amended one-count charge of obtaining
money by false pretence, contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap
38, Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The charge read: "That you Bolaji Salami sometime in March, 2020, at Ibadan,
within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud,
obtained various gift cards, worth the sum of USD$150 (One Hundred and Fifty
United States Dollars) from one Smith Johnson, a white male American citizen,
when you falsely represented to him that you are a white female American by
name Angelina James, that you are in love with him and wanted to marry him,
which representations you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence."
He pleaded guilty to the offence following which the judge pronounced him
guilty as charged and sentenced him to six months imprisonment with effect
from his June 30, 2020 date of arrest.
Apart from his prison term, he would restitute his victim, the sum of $150 USD
(One Hundred and Fifty United States of American Dollars) and forfeit his iPhone
X Max, Itel mobile phones and HP laptop computer to the federal government.
Similarly, Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday,
October 14, sentenced one Olanrewaju Isaac Olatunji (a.k.a. Mia Cruz) to one year
imprisonment for fraud. He was prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Commission
on amended one-count charge of criminal impersonation.
The charge read: "That you Olanrewaju Isaac Olatunji (a.k.a. Mia Cruz) sometime
in May 2019 at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent
to defraud, knowingly impersonated one Mia Cruz, a white female, when you falsely
represented yourself to Abigail Mccaroll, in order to gain advantage for yourself,
contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (ii) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention
Etc) Act, 2015, and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the same Act."
He pleaded guilty to the charge upon which prosecution counsel, Mabas Mabur asked
the court to sentence and convict him accordingly.
The judge sentenced him to one year imprisonment with effect from February 13, 2020,
day of his arrest. His is also to restitute the sum of $1600 (One Thousand Six Hundred
United States Dollars) to his victim through the EFCC, and forfeit his Honda Crosstour
and other items recovered from him to the federal government.
Meanwhile, the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Commission also yesterday, arraigned the
trio of Adedapo Olayiwola, Adebola Aderonke Adesina and her company, Kestrel Travels
and Tour Limited, before Justice Sherifat Adeyemi.
Olayiwola is being prosecuted on a five-count charge of obtaining money by false
pretence, contrary to Section 1 (2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related
Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
He is alleged to have fraudulently obtained over N4 million (Four Million Naira)
from different victims on the pretence that he has plots of land to sell to them.
However, the victims, with time, discovered that the said plots of land did not
belong to him.
"That you Olayiwola Adedapo sometime in 2016, in Ibadan within the jurisdiction
of this honourable court, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N1,400,000
(One Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Monsuru Watiu Adekunle under
the pretext that it is the purchase price for two acres of land, situated at Oyigun
Village, Akinyele, Ibadan which you claimed belong to you, which representations
you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1)
(a) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud
Related Offences Act 2006."
He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges, upon which prosecution counsel, Murtala
Usman asked the court for a commencement date of trial and for him to be remanded
in prison custody.
Justice Adeyemi admitted Olayiwola to bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties
in like sum. The sureties are to provide a valid means of identification, verified
by the EFCC. He was given seven days to comply with the bail conditions or be returned
to EFCC's custody. The case was adjourned till December 2, 2020.
Adesina, on her part, was arraigned alongside her company on one-count charge of
stealing, contrary to Section 390 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 38, Laws of Oyo
State, 2000.
She was alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N2,400,000 (Two Million,
Four Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Adeniyi Taiwo Dauda through her company on
the pretence that she could help him procure visas for some of his clients. She,
however, failed to deliver on her promise and refused to refund the money to her
victim.
The charge read, "That you, Adesina Adebola Aderonke and Kestrel Travels and
Tours Limited sometime in February, 2019 at Ibadan, within the Ibadan Judicial
Division of this honourable court, did commit an illegal act, to wit: stealing
of the sum of N2,400,000.00 (Two Million and Four Hundred Thousand Naira) only,
property of Adeniyi Taiwo Dauda."
She pleaded "not guilty" to the charges, prompting prosecution counsel, Murtala
Usman to ask the court for a commencement date of trial and for the defendant to
be remanded in prison custody.
The court ordered that she be remanded in EFCC's custody, pending an application
for her bail and adjourned the matter till October 20, 2020 for hearing.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-secures-conviction-of-fraudsters-arraigns-others-in-ibadan
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14 OCT 2020
EFCC Urges Court to Dismiss Mompha’s No-Case Submission in N32.9bn Fraud Trial
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has urged Justice Mohammed Liman
of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos to dismiss the no-case submission
filed by a suspected internet fraudster, Ismail Mustapha, alias Mompha, who is standing
trial over an alleged N32.9 billion fraud.
Mompha was re-arraigned on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 alongside his company, Ismalob
Ventures, on an amended 22-count charge of fraud.
At the resumed sitting today, October 14, 2020, Mompha, through his lawyer, Gbenga
Oyewole, SAN, filed a no-case submission, after the prosecution had closed its case
at the last sitting.
Oyewole, in urging the court to uphold his client's no-case submission, said the
prosecution had failed to link his client to any offence on all the counts of the
charge.
However, the prosecution counsel, S. I. Sulaiman, in his response, urged the court
to dismiss Mompha's no-case submission application, which was adopted before the court.
In urging the court to dismiss Mompha's application, Sulaiman said the prosecution
had been able to link the defendant to the alleged offences based on the evidence
adduced and exhibits tendered through the 10 prosecution witnesses, who had testified
in the matter.
He, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the application and order the defendant
to open his defence.
After listening to both parties, Justice Liman adjourned the matter to November 18,
2020 for ruling on the defendant's no-case submission.
efcc-urges-court-to-dismiss-mompha-s-no-case-submission-in-n32-9bn-fraud-trial
*********************************************
14 OCT 2020
Court Jails Internet Fraudster One Year In Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of an Internet fraudster,
Adeniran Nurudeen, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences
Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. The convict was arraigned on October 9,
2020 on a one count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent document
contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
Nurudeen's journey to prison began when he was arrested on August 15,
2020 during a raid by operatives of the Commission at No 6B, Fatai Idowu
Arobike Street, Lekki Phase 1 Lagos.
He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his
plea, the prosecuting counsel, I.G Akhanolu, reviewed the facts of the case
and tendered the convict’s statements, where he confessed to have been involved
in internet scam, as well as the fraudulent documents printed from his email.
He therefore urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly.
Justice Dada found him guilty of the offence and sentenced him to one year
imprisonment with the option of a fine of N1,000, 000.00( One Million Naira).
The Judge also ordered the forfeiture of the black Lexus 350 SUV and two mobile
devices recovered from him to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
court-jails-internet-fraudster-one-year-in-lagos
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14 OCT 2020
EFCC Arrests Nine Suspected Internet Criminals in Abeokuta
The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, arrested nine men, suspected to be
internet fraudsters in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The suspects, whose ages range between 21 and 31 are: Tobi Idowu; Gbeminiyi
Samuel; Adekunle Gafar; Wusu Taiwo; Agbabaidan Idris; Olaiya Olamide; Adediran
Rotimi; Ikegbuka Junior and Ridwan Garuba.
They were arrested during an early morning raid on their hideout at Aaya
Camp, Ibadan, following sustained surveillance and intelligence on suspected
cyber crime activities in the spot.
tems recovered from them include two cars, laptops, phones, internet routers
and automated teller machine (ATM) cards.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-nine-suspected-internet-criminals-in-abeokuta
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14 OCT 2020
Two Bag Jail Terms for Cyber Crime in Abeokuta
Peter Ariyo Joshua and Oluwamuyiwa Samuel Arowosola (a.k.a Oluwadamilare,
Perry Black, Willie Amashanti and Sonex Newton) on Tuesday, October 13, 2020,
bagged jail terms from Justices Muhammed Abubakar and Ibrahim Watilat of the
Federal High Court, Abeokuta Division, Ogun State, for internet fraud.
The duo was prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial
Commission, EFCC, on one-count charge of criminal impersonation, contrary to
Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015,
and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Act, to which they pleaded guilty.
Upon their plea, the prosecution team of Dr. Ben Ubi and Oyelakin Oyediran urged
the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Joshua got one year imprisonment from Justice Abubakar, while Arowosola was
sentenced to four months by Justice Watilat, both of whom are of Court One
and Court Two respectively.
Besides Joshua's one year jail term, he will restitute his victim, the sum
of $2,850 (Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) and
also forfeit his two phones to the federal government.
In addition to his four months imprisonment, Arowosola will restitute $2,850
(Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) to Carol Paul,
his victim and forfeit N1,873,561.50 (One Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy-three
Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty-one Naira, Fifty Kobo) discovered in his GT
Bank account as well as his laptop, iPhone and iWatch to the federal government.
The press release includes a photo:
two-bag-jail-terms-for-cyber-crime-in-abeokuta
419 Coalition comment: We trust that there will be follow up to Assure that the
victims indeed receive the monies ordered to be restituted.
********************************************
13 OCT 2020
Fake Nollywood Star in EFCC Net Over $7,000 Romance Scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office,
has arrested one Ezekiel Sunday Emmanuel for allegedly defrauding an
American national, Collins Meresha, to the tune of $7,000 USD (Seven
Thousand Dollars).
Emmanuel, who presents himself as Frederick Nnaemeka Leonard, a Nollywood
actor, was arrested on October 8, 2020 by officers of the Commission, following
a report by the Chief Security Officer of Federal Airports Authority, FAAN,
who caught him while engaging in a heated argument with Meresha on October 6, 2020.
It turned out that Meresha was invited to Nigeria by the suspect under the
guise that he was Leonard, whom she had been dating online.
She further alleged that she was, however, accosted on arrival at the airport
by the suspect, whom she described as a "totally different person" from the
Nollywood actor.
The suspect will soon be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.
The pres release includes a photo:
fake-nollywood-star-in-efcc-net-over-7-000-romance-scam
*********************************************
9 OCT 2020
Court Jails Two Music Producers, Two Others over Cyber Crimes in Calabar
The Uyo zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC,
on Thursday, October 8, 2020 secured the conviction of two music producers
and two others, on cyber crime charges, before Justice Simon Amobeda of the
Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River state.
The convicted music producers are Obot John Aniedi and Odok Valentine Metun,
while the others are Williams Peter Obinna and Okoro Edwin Chigozie.
While Obot and Odok were arrested on September 11, 2020 at their residentce
located at 3 Ring Road, Shelter Afrique, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Williams and
Okoro were nabbed on September 8, 2020, at their apartment located at "Sight
and Services" within "World Bank" in Ugwuma town, Owerri, Imo State.
The quartet was arrested based on intelligence received in the zone, concerning
their involvement in various cyber crimes. Investigation reveals that while that
while some of them set up various fictitious accounts on Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB),
an Asian-American dating website, others impersonated American military personnel,
to defraud their victims. They all admitted to the crimes.
One of the separate count charge for which they were convicted reads: "That
you Okoro Edwin Chigozie (aka Afando Stevens) on or about the 8th day of
September, 2020 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court
with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, did fraudulently
impersonate and presented yourself to Eloisa Vasquez as Afando Stevens (a
supposed American military officer) on social media platform (Facebook) and
obtained the sum of One hundred and fifty American Dollars ($150) and thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) & (b) of the Cyber Crime
(Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (b)
(iv) of the same Act".
They pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC.
In view of their pleas, Joshua Abolarin, counsel to the EFCC, informed the
court of the plea bargain agreements entered between them and the prosecution,
and urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Counsel to the defendants, Innocent Eze, Arit Robert, C. O. Ijom and Friday
Solomon informed the court that the convicts were first-time offenders and
prayed for leniency.
Delivering judgement, Justice Amobeda convicted and sentenced them as follows;
Okoro, Odok and Obot were sentenced to 3 months imprisonment each with an option
of fine of N200,000 (two hundred thousand naira), while Williams was sentenced
to 6 months imprisonment with an option of fine of N200,000 ( two hundred
thousand naira).
He ordered that their mobile phones and laptops be forfeited to the Federal
Government.
court-jails-two-music-producers-two-others-over-cyber-crimes-in-calabar
****************************************
9 OCT 2020
Court Jails Five Internet Fraudsters in Abeokuta
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office,
on Thursday, October 8, 2020, secured the conviction of five internet
fraudsters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The convicts are, Babalola Kehinde Omogbolohan; Adekoya Abayomi Peter;
Stephen Ogbebor Damilare; Opeogun Temitope Felix and Sodiq Sanni (a.k.a
Alan Anderson).
Having pleaded guilty to amended one-count charge of fraudulent impersonation,
Justice Ibrahim Watilat of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta Division convicted
and sentenced Omogbolohan, Damilare and Felix to five months in prison each,
while Peter bagged four months for the crime.
Omogbolohan and Peter were given N100,000 option of fine each, while Felix
and Damilare were handed N400,000 and N300,000 option of fine respectively.
Sanni (a.k.a Alan Anderson) was prosecuted before Justice Muhammed Abubakar
of the Federal High Court of the same Abeokuta Judicial Division on amended
one-count charge of fraudulent impersonation and having pleaded guilty, was
sentenced to eight months imprisonment without an option of fine. All the
convicts are to restitute their victims the sums of money they fraudulently
obtained from them and forfeit all the items recovered from them to the federal
government.
The press release includes photos:
court-jails-five-internet-fraudsters-in-abeokuta
***************************************
9 OCT 2020
$2,400 Scam: EFCC Arraigns Suspected Internet Fraudster For defrauding a German
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal office,
on Friday, October 9, 2020 arraigned Richmond Cookey (aka Steph Williams) before
Justice A. T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt,
Rivers State, on two -count charges bordering on impersonation and obtaining
money by false pretence.
Specifically, Cookey was docked for allegedly defrauding a German, Gerhard Hossbach,
the sum of $2, 400 (Two Thousand Four Hundred United States Dollars), through a phony
crypto currency business.
One of the counts read: "That you, Richmond Cookey (aka Steph Williams) on or about
7th December, 2019 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this
Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of Two Thousand Four
Hundred Dollars ($2,400,00) from Gerhard Hossbach, a German Citizen , under the
pretext that you are investing in crypto currency business for him, a pretext you
knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a)
and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related
offences Act 2006".
He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges.
In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, E. K. Ebipade prayed the court for a short
adjournment for commencement of trial. However, defence counsel, M. D. S Amatonjie
informed the court of his application for the bail of the defendant which was not
opposed by the prosecution.
Justice Mohammed granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 ( Five Hundred
Thousand Naira only) and two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be his
father and a civil servant of Rivers State origin, not below level 12.
Each of the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means and deposit two recent
passport photographs with the court.
The judge adjourned the matter to October 16, 2020 for commencement of trial.
The press release includes a photo:
2-400-scam-efcc-arraigns-suspected-internet-fraudster-for-defrauding-a-german
*******************************************
7 OCT 2020
Court Jails Internet Fraudster Nine Months for N10m Bitcoin Scam
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos,
on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 convicted and sentenced an internet fraudster,
Kehinde Adelakun, to nine months imprisonment.
Adelakun was arraigned today by the Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a two-count charge bordering on possession
of documents containing false pretext.
He was arrested on August 21, 2020 around the Oniru axis of Lagos State by
operatives of the EFCC for his involvement internet fraud.
One of the count reads: "That you, Adelakun Kehinde Adewumi, sometime in August
2020, at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, with
intent to defraud, had in your possession email correspondence titled CREDIT
ALERT TRANSACTIONS, wherein you falsely represented yourself as ALVINE INTERNATIONAL
RESOURCES VENTURES to be able to provide Bitcoin and was credited the sum of Ten
Million Naira (N10, 000, 000. 00) in two tranches of Five Million Naira each
(N5, 000, 000. 00), which pretext you knew or ought to know to be false and
committed an offence contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State,
No 11 of 2011."
He pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him.
Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Anita Imo, reviewed the facts before the
court and tendered the incriminating documents printed from the defendan'’s gmail
account.
Imo further urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly.
Delivering her judgment, the Judge found him guilty of the offence and sentenced
him to nine months imprisonment with an option of fine of N250,000( Two Hundred
and Fifty Thousand Naira).
court-jails-internet-fraudster-nine-months-for-n10m-bitcoin-scam
************************************
7 OCT 2020
Yahoo Boys Bag Prison Terms in Ibadan
Two youngsters, Garuba Majeed Opeyemi and Olawoyin Pelumi Muhktar, were sent
to jail a few days ago by Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan
for committing internet fraud.
The duo was prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC on amended one-count charge of obtaining money by false
pretence, contrary to Section 1 (1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and (Other Fraud
Related) Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act,
to which they pleaded guilty.
Following their guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Mabas Mabur urged the court
to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Taiwo pronounced them guilty and sentenced each to six months in prison.
Aside his prison term, Opeyemi will restitute his victim the sum of $800 (Eight
Hundred United States Dollars), and forfeit his Lexus ES 330 SUV, iPhone 11 Pro
Max, Apple Series 3 wrist watch and HP EliteBook to the federal government of
Nigeria, while Muhktar will restitute the sum of $100 (One Hundred United States
Dollars) and another N240,000 (Two Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) to his
victims. He also forfeited his iPhone 8 plus mobile phone to the federal government.
The press release includes a photo:
yahoo-boys-bag-prison-terms-in-ibadan
419 Coalition comment: Let us hope that the vistims do indeed receive
the $240,000 restitution ordered by the court in a very timely fashion.
******************************************
6 OCT 2020
Man Bags Four Months for Obtaining $5,700 Gift Cards by Fraud
Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, on Tuesday,
October 6, 2020, convicted and sentenced one Damilare Tolu Ogunleke to four
months in prison for internet fraud.
The convict was prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on amended three-count charge for obtaining
gift cards worth $5,700 USD (Five Thousand, Seven Hundred United States Dollars)
by fraud, contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of
Oyo 2000.
One of the charges read: "That you Damilare Tolu Ogunleke (‘m’) sometime in
the year 2019, at Ogbomosho, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable
court, with intent to defraud, obtained gift cards worth $5000 (Five Thousand
United States of America Dollars) from one Porter Pattern by falsely representing
to him that you are a female and other pretences, which you knew to be false."
He pleaded guilty to all the charges upon which prosecution counsel, Lanre
Abdulrasheed, prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly, while
his counsel, Tunde Olupona, informed the court that his client had made full
restitution to his victim and urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
Apart from the prison term, Ogunleke was ordered to restitute his victim the
sum of $1, 042 (One Thousand and Forty-two United States Dollars), and would
also forfeit his Lexus IS350, a phone and an iPad to the federal government.
The convict was arraigned on September 28, 2020.
The press release includes a photo:
man-bags-four-months-for-obtaining-5-700-gift-cards-by-fraud
******************************************
6 OCT 2020
UniIlorin Student to Face Fresh Trial for Internet Fraud, Oct 29
A University of Ilorin student, Itanola Abdulsamad will on October, 29,
2020, face fresh trial before Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State
High Court, Ilorin for alleged internet fraud. This followed the suspect's
itch from "guilty" to "not guilty" plea, on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 court
proceeding and the consequent adjournment of the matter by the judge.
The suspect was facing prosecution by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on 10-count charges of
internet fraud to which he pleaded guilty upon his arraignment on Friday,
October 2, 2020 but had to make a dramatic switch to "not guilty," today
on his re-arraignment on amended four-count charge, prompting the judge
to adjourn the matter, preparatory to his fresh trial.
Preceding the defendant's today’s switch of plea, his counsel, Adewale
Olatunde, informed the court of his client’s decision to change his earlier
plea. "My Lord, my client has informed me that he wants to change his plea
from 'guilty' to 'not guilty'. I humbly urge your lordship to allow the
charge be read to the defendant for him to change his plea," Olatunde said.
Justice Oyinloye granted the prayer of the defence counsel, which saw
the defendant switch to a "not guilty" plea to the amended four-count charges.
Count two of the amended charge read: "That you, Itanola Abdulsamad, Popoola
Afolami (at large) and Olayeni Yemi (at large) sometime between 2018 and 2019,
at Ilorin within the judicial division of the Kwara State High Court, fraudulently
induced several unsuspecting foreigners vide the internet to deliver to you
digital currency from which you benefited $950 (Nine Hundred and Fifty United
States Dollars) and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 321 of
the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Penal Code."
The press release includes a photo:
uniilorin-student-to-face-fresh-trial-for-internet-fraud-oct-29
***********************************************
5 OCT 2020
EFCC Arraigns Man for Alleged Internet Fraud in Ibadan
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office,
on Monday, October 5, 2020, arraigned one Henry Oluwatoyin before Justice
Iyabo Yerima of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, for alleged involvement
in internet fraud.
Oluwatoyi was dragged before the court on a two-count charge bordering,
on obtaining money under false pretence and possession of documents
containing false pretence.
Count one read: "That you Oluwatoyin Henry sometime in 2019 at Ogbomoso
within the Judicial Division of this honourable court, with intent to
defraud, obtained the sum of One Thousand, Two Hundred United States
of America Dollars ($1,200 USD) from one Betty Mosley when you falsely
pretended that you are female citizen of United States of America by
name Amanda, which representation you knew to be false and thereby
committed an offence."
He pleaded not guilty to the charges, consequent upon which EFCC counsel,
Sanusi Galadanchi prayed the court for a trial date and an order to remand
him in custody pending trial, while defence counsel, Samuel Olagoke informed
the court that he has filed a bail application on behalf of the defendant,
which he urged the court to entertain.
The judge turned down the defence’s plea and adjourned the matter till
October 19, 2020 for the hearing and determination of the bail application.
He ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the
adjourned date.
The press release includes a photo (not of the arraignee):
efcc-arraigns-man-for-alleged-internet-fraud-in-ibadan
**********************************************
3 OCT 2020
EFCC Arrests Yahoo Boy, Pastor for Alleged N12.7m Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Gombe Zonal
office, have arrested one Adebayo Olawale of No. 25 Fashina Road,
Ile-Ife Osun State and his pastor Gbenga Moses Adesoju of Christ
Apostolic Church, Ile-Ife, Osun State for allegedly defrauding
one Umar Hayatu of lafiya quarters, Dukku Local Government Area
of Gombe State to the tune of N12.7m.
The duo were apprehended at Ile Ife following a petition jointly
written by the relatives of the victim (Umar Hayatu). They alleged
that the suspects conspired and defrauded the victim via social
media platforms and phone calls under the pretense that he won a
car, some expensive phones and offer of employment into a juicy
position.
Adebayo, the prime suspect, contacted the victim severally using
fake Facebook account names; Williams Angellina and Omolola Adebayo
and deceived the victim into believing that his parents have a Company
abroad and will make him (victim) the Nigerian Manager of the Company
at Lagos. The suspect further sent the victim various fake pictures
of Houses and cars that would be given to him as fringe benefits as
soon as the company commences operation. He also promised him 30,000
US Dollars and expensive gifts such as iPhone and Jewelleries.
Preliminary Investigation revealed that the sum of Twelve Million,
Seven Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty
Seven Naira ( N12, 798, 387.00), proceeds of the fraud, were traced
to the suspect’s account in a new generation bank. Pastor Gbenga,
his alleged accomplice received a car (BMW), a plot of land and
various sums of money from the proceeds of crime for his spiritual
intervention.
Both suspects have volunteered useful information and would be
charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-yahoo-boy-pastor-for-alleged-n12-7m-fraud
*********************************************
2 OCT 2020
EFCC Nabs 10 Suspected Cyber Criminals in Ibadan
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday,
October 2, 2020, arrested 10 men for their alleged involvement
in internet frauds.
The suspects, namely: Isaac Ogundayo; David Ayodele; Etiowe
Kelvin; Seun Afolabi; Saheed Olalekan; Oluwatobi Damilola;
Sukanmi Odofin; Ademola Okunola; Joseph Damilare and Abass
Sodiq were arrested in their hideout at Ajinde Road 4, off
Akala-Expressway, Ibadan in the early hours of the day by
men of the Commission from the Ibadan Zonal Office.
Their arrest followed credible intelligence and many weeks
of surveillance on the location.
Several fraudulent documents and other instruments of fraud were
recovered from them at the point of the arrest.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-nabs-10-suspected-cyber-criminals-in-ibadan
****************************************************
30 SEP 2020
Court Jails Six Yahoo Boys in Sokoto
Justice M. S. Sifawa of the Sokoto State High Court, Sokoto on
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 convicted and sentenced six internet
fraudsters to prison for fraud. The fraudsters who were prosecuted
on one-count separate charges of conspiracy and cheating by the
Sokoto Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC include; Henry Chukwuma Uche (a.k.a Andrew Tucker James),
Okereke Ifeayi Daniel, Iyiola Elvis Azuka, Onyeiwu Stanley Chibuike
(a.k.a Jonathan Stavidris), Nwanaforo Wilfred Chukwuka (a.k.a Manfred)
and Nwanaforo Chibuike Shedrack.
One of the charges reads, "that you Henry Chukwuma Uche (a.k.a Andrew
Tucker James), a Nigerian national, sometime between 2018 to 2020 at
Sokoto, within the jurisdiction of the Sokoto State High Court, dishonestly
represented yourself to one Carle Margarida Brito Santos, a foreign national,
resident in Portugal, to be one Andrew Tucker James of the United State of
America Marines, deployed to Afghanistan and in that, induced her in love
scam to pay you the sum of €3,934 (Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty-four
Euros) through your Access Bank Dollar account and the sum of $17,691.25
(Seventeen Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety-one Dollars, Twenty Five Cent)
through your Polaris Bank Dollar account and thereby committed the offence
of cheating, contrary to Section 310 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law 2019
and punishable under Section 311 of the same Law."
They all pleaded guilty to the charges, following which prosecution team,
comprising S. H. Sa'ad, Musa Mela Gwani and Habila Jonathan asked the court
to convict and sentence them accordingly, while defence counsel, Shamsu A.
Dauda, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as his clients
have become remorseful.
Justice Sifawa convicted and sentenced Uche (a.k.a Andrew Tucker James)
to 10 years imprisonment with N1,000,000 (One Million Naira)option of fine.
He is also to restitute the sum of €3,934 and $17,691.25 (Three Thousand
Nine Hundred and Thirty-four Euros and Seventeen Thousand Six Hundred and
Ninety-one US Dollars Twenty Five Cent) to his victim through the EFCC
and the FBI liaison at USA Consulate, Lagos.
Daniel was sentenced to five years and six months in prison following his
conviction on count one and two with N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira)
option of fine for each of the counts. He is also to restitute his victim
€300 (Three Hundred Euros) proceeds of his crime.
Azuka bagged 10 years with N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) option of fine and
to restitute his victim €1,545 (One Thousand Five Hundred and Forty-five Euros)
proceeds of his crime.
Chibuike (a.k.a Jonathan Stavidris) and Chukwuka (a.k.a Manfred) got 10 years
imprisonment each with N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) option of fine each.
In addition, each of them will restitute the sum of €5,000 (Five Thousand Euros)
or its Naira equivalent to their victims through the EFCC.
Lastly, Shedrack and his brother, Chukwuka (a.k.a Manfred), were sentenced
to six months imprisonment each, with N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira)
option of fine. Chukwuka it could be recalled had earlier bagged 10 years.
The press release includes a photo:
court-jails-six-yahoo-boys-in-sokoto
**********************************************
30 SEP 2020
Yahoo Boy Admits Fraud in Ilorin, to be Sentenced Oct 6
A 24 year- old student of Kwara State University, Molete, Bashir Abbdulbasit
has owned up to involvement in internet fraud schemes. Bashir was arraigned
today September 30 before Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar of a Kwara State High
Court sitting in Ilorin on a two count charge of fraud brought against him
by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
( EFCC).
The first count reads "That you, Basher Abdulbasit (aka Sandra West) sometime
in May 2017 at Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable
Court attempted to cheat by personation, by pretending to be Sandra West, a
female Caucasian with a gmail account; Sandrawesth074@gmail.com and thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 95 and 321 of the Penal Code Law
and punishable under Section 324 of the same law"
Count two reads "That you, Bashir Abdulbasit (aka Robert Author Williams)
sometime in June, 2019 at Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of
this Honorable Court attempted to cheat by personation,by pretending to be
Robert Author Williams, a male Caucasian with a gmail account; bigdaddywilliams074@gmail
and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 95 and 321 of the
Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 324 of the same law"
The accused person however "pleaded guilty" when the charges were read.
Justice Abdulgafar adjourned the case till October 6, 2020 for sentencing
of the defendant.
The press release includes a photo:
yahoo-boy-admits-fraud-in-ilorin-to-be-sentenced-oct-6
************************************************
30 SEP 2020
EFCC Docks Man for Cyber Crime in Ibadan
The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, arraigned one Ridwan Adeshina
Adegboyega before Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court,
Ibadan on a four-count charge, bordering on obtaining money under false
pretence and possession of false documents.
Count one of the charge reads: "Ridwan Adeshina Adegboyega on or about
March 2020 at Ogbomoso within the judicial division of this honourable
court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $2000 UDS (Two Thousand
United States of American Dollars) from one Bruce Witt, when you falsely
pretended that you are a female citizen of the United States of America
by name Lucy Morgan, which representation you knew to be false and thereby
committed an offence."
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting prosecution
counsel, Shamsudeen Bashir to ask the court for a trial date and for the
defendant to be remanded in prison custody, while defence counsel, Adebayo
Ajani urged the court to admit his client to bail, having made part
restitution to the victim.
Justice Akintola ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC's custody
and adjourned the matter till October 13 for the hearing of his bail application
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-docks-man-for-cyber-crime-in-ibadan
***************************************
30 SEP 2020
Court Jails Three for Internet Fraud
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja,
Lagos, has convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters, Salaam Akeem
and Abiodun ThankGod Omoh, to six months imprisonment.
Both Akeem and Omoh were arraigned on September 23, 2020 on separate count
charges bordering on possession of fraudulent documents containing false pretence,
after they were arrested within the Lekki axis of Lagos sometime in July, 2020
by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC.
The defendants both pleaded guilty to the offences when they were arraigned.
In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima, reviewed the
facts of the matter before the court, tendered the fraudulent documents printed
from their accounts and further urged the court to convict them accordingly.
Justice Taiwo found the defendants guilty of the offence and sentenced them
to six months imprisonment each.
The Judge also ordered the forfeiture of all items recovered from the convicts
to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In a similar development, Justice Mojisola Dada of the State High Court sitting
in Ikeja, Lagos has convicted and sentenced another internet fraudster, Rasheed
Olanrewaju, to one year imprisonment.
Rasheed was arrested sometime in July 2020, following intelligence on the activities
of young men who were involved in online scam around the Lekki axis of Lagos.
Upon his arraignment on September 25, 2020, Olanrewaju pleaded guilty to the offence.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima, reviewed the facts of
the matter before the court, tendered some documents and also urged the court to
convict him accordingly.
Consequently, Justice Dada found him guilty and sentenced him to one year imprisonment,
with an option of fine of N350, 000.00(Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).
The Judge also ordered the forfeiture of all items found on him to the Federal
Government of Nigeria.
court-jails-three-for-internet-fraud
**************************************
29 SEP 2020
Court Jails 14 Internet Fraudsters In Calabar
The Uyo Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC
on Monday, September 28, 2020 secured the conviction of 14 internet fraudsters
on separate one count charge before Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High
Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River state.
The convicts are; Victor Chikeluba Ogadibo, Unwana Aniefiok Edem, Michael Omos,
Emediong Iwoenang, Christian Alvan Okechukwu, Ogbuechi Anderson Ifeanyi and Anozie
Chinonso Franklin.
Others are; Clinton Njoku Onyekachi, Princewill Chisom Egerue, Akpodiete Moses,
Innocent Samuel Japhet, Ugwuegbu Fredrick Ikenna, Ndulaka Felix Chukwuebuka and
Opara Ozioma Daniel.
One of the separate count charges reads: "That you Clinton Njoku Onyekachi (A.K.A
Casey Nelson Cooper) on or about the 8th day of August 2020 in Nigeria within the
jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage
for yourself, fraudulently impersonated Casey Nelson Cooper (An American soldier) on
social media (Instagram) and defrauded Veronica (An Indonesian) in the sum of Two Thousand
Dollars ($2000) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) & (b) of
the Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (
b) (iv) of the same Act".
They pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against them.
Delivering judgment, Justice Amobeda convicted and sentenced the defendants as
follows; Unwana, Fredrick and Franklin were sentenced to 6 months imprisonment
each with an option of fine of N500,000.00; while
Clinton, Anderson, Victor, Felix and Opara bagged 6 months imprisonment each with
an option of fine of N200, 000. 00.
The court further ordered that Clinton, Victor and Anderson restitute the sum of
$2,000 and $3000 and $200 respectively to their victims through the prosecution.
Princewill and Moses were sentenced to 12 months imprisonment each with an option
of fine of N700, 000. 00 while Christian, Michael and Innocent were sentenced to 12
months imprisonment each with an option of fine of N1, 000, 000. 00. Emediong bagged
3 months imprisonment with an option of fine of N100, 000, 00.
Also, the convicts are to forfeit instruments used to commit the crime which include
their phones, HP laptops, 1 HP Probook and cars to the Federal Government.
While Iwoenang, Okechukwu, Edem and Innocent were arrested at their apartment located
at 3 Ring Road, off Shelter Afrique, Uyo on September 9, 2020, others were nabbed
during a 3hour raid on September 8, 2020 at Sight and Services within World Bank in
Ugwuma town and Road Safety by Toronto Road, Owerri North, Imo state. They were
arrested based on intelligence.
Upon arrest, the 14 convicts admitted to the crime and made confessional statements.
Forensic analysis of their phones and laptops revealed that while some of them specialized
in love scam, others impersonated United States military personnel purportedly on foreign
mission and needed financial help as they could not access their funds. They made their
victims give them gift cards which they changed to Bitcoin and then to Naira.
The press release includes a photo:
court-jails-14-internet-fraudsters-in-calabar
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28 SEP 2020
Court Jails Man, Remands other in Custody over Internet Fraud
Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, on Monday,
September 28, 2020, sentenced one Adeniran Rasheed Adesina (a.k.a. Bella
Danner) to six months in prison after finding him guilty of obtaining money
under false pretence in a one-count charge filed against him by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office.
The charge reads: "That Adeniran Rasheed Adesina (a.k.a. Bella Danner)
sometimes in 2019, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable
Court, with intent to defraud obtained various gift cards worth of $250
(Two Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) from one Luis Barrera, a
white male, when you falsely represented to him that you are a white female
by name Bella Danner that is in love with him and other pretences, which
representations you knew to be false".
Adesina pleaded guilty to the charge when read to him prompting the EFCC’s
counsel Lanre Abdulrasheed to pray the court to convict him according.
However, counsel to the defendant, Hammed Opasola prayed the court to consider
a sentence of community service.
Justice Akintola sentenced the accused to six months in prison with effect
from the date of his arrest, June 30, 2020.
The court also ordered him to restitute to his victims through the EFCC
the sum of $250 (Two Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars).
He is to equally forfeit his Infinix Hot5 Mobile Phone to the Federal Government.
Similarly, Justice Akintola has ordered that one Damilare Tolu Ogunleke,
a suspected internet fraudster, be remanded at the EFCC's custody pending
the hearing of his case.
Ogunleke had on Monday pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of obtaining
property under false pretence preferred against him by the Commission.
One of the counts reads: "That you Damilare Tolu Ogunleke ‘M’ sometimes in
the year 2019, at Ogbomosho, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of this
Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained Gift Cards worth of
45000 (Five Thousand United States of American Dollars) from one Porter
Patten by falsely representing to him that you are a female and other
pretences, which pretences you knew to be false."
Counsel to the defendant, Tunde Olupona, informed the court that his client
has already made all the necessary restitution and has also paid all the money
involved and prayed for a plea bargain.
In order to give time for the two parties to reach a compromise, the presiding
judge adjourned to October 6 for hearing and ordered that the accused be remanded
in the EFCC's custody pending the adjourned date.
The oress release includes photos:
court-jails-man-remands-other-in-custody-over-internet-fraud
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28 SEP 2020
Three Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms in Sokoto
Justice M. S. Sifawa of the Sokoto State High Court, Sokoto on Monday,
September 28, 2020 convicted and sentenced the trio of Chima Nweke (a.k.a
Dr. Idris Musa), Ubaka Kanayo David and Glory Arohia (a.k.a Ijeoma Ogbuagu)
to prison for fraud.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Sokoto Zonal Office of the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on one count separate charge of
cheating and conspiracy to which they pleaded guilty.
Following their plea, prosecuting counsels, comprising S. H. Sa'ad, Musa
Mela Gwani and Habila Jonathan asked the court to convict and sentence them
accordingly, while defence counsel, A. M. Lukman, pleaded with the court
to temper justice with mercy as his clients have become remorseful.
Justice Sifawa convicted and sentenced Nweke (a.k.a Dr. Idris Musa) to 10
years imprisonment with N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira)option of fine.
He is also to restitute the sum of N3,500,000.00 (Three Million, Five Hundred
Thousand) to his victim through the Asset Forfeiture Directorate of the EFCC
and the FBI liaison at USA Consulate, Lagos. Nweke also forfeited his Hyundai
SUV Xi 35 model to the federal government.
David was handed one year imprisonment with N25,000.00 option of fine and
forfeited N350,000 (Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand) to the Sokoto State
government, while Arohia (a.k.a Ijeoma Ogbuagu) bagged 10 years imprisonment
with N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) option of fine.
The press release includes photos:
three-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-in-sokoto
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25 SEP 2020
Ilorin Court to Sentence Internet Fraud Suspect Oct 6
A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin today reserved sentencing of an
internet fraud suspects who pleaded guilty to four-counts of fraud brought
against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, till
October 6, 2020.
Itanola Abdulsamad a 21-year-old student, was docked before Justice Sikiru
Oyinloye on a four-count charge, bordering on cheating by impersonation,
attempt to cheat and internet fraud.
Count two of the charge reads: "That you, Itanola Abdulsamad, Popoola Afolami
(at large) and Olayeni Yemi (at large) sometime between 2018 and 2019, at Ilorin
within the judicial division of the Kwara State High Court fraudulently induced
several unsuspecting foreigners vide the internet to deliver to you digital
currency from which you benefited $950 (nine hundred and fifty United States
Dollars) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal
Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Penal Code."
When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded guilty to all four counts.
Justice Oyinloye, however, fixed October 6, 2020 for the Commission to review the facts of the case and sentencing of the defendant.
The press release includes a photo:
ilorin-court-to-sentence-internet-fraud-suspect-oct-6
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25 SEP 2020
Two Bag 2 Years Jail Terms for Internet Fraud in Kaduna
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Office on Friday,
September 25, 2020, secured the conviction of Moses Iliya Adamu and David Luis before
Justice Darius Khobo of State High Court sitting in Kaduna.
Moses was arrested by Operatives of the Commission following intelligence on his
alleged involvement in cyber crime. Upon conclusion of investigation, he was arraigned
on two counts of cheating by impersonation contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code
Law of Kaduna State 2007 and punishable under section 309 of the same Law.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting E.K Garba, counsel to the
EFCC, to ask the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Justice Khobo consequently convicted the defendant and sentenced him to two years
imprisonment with an option of N300,000 (three hundred thousand Naira) fine.
In related development, Justice Khobo also sentenced one David Luis to two years
imprisonment with an option of fine of N150 000.00 (one hundred and fifty thousand
naira) after he pleaded guilty to one count charge that borders on internet related
fraud and obtaining money under false pretence
The press release includes photos:
two-bag-2-years-jail-terms-for-internet-fraud-in-kaduna
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22 SEP 2020
$6m Internet Scam: Suspect on FBI List Turns Himself In
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has commenced investigation of
one Felix Osilama Okpoh, an alleged fraudster on the watchlist of the Federal Bureau
of Investigations, FBI, for his involvement in a $6m internet fraud.
Okpoh, alongside Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh, Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Abiola Ayorinde
Kayode and Nnamdi Orson Benson, had been declared wanted by the FBI sometime in 2019
for their alleged involvement in a Business Email Compromise, BEC, scheme that defrauded
over 70 businesses in the United States, of over $6,000,000 USD.
The suspect allegedly provided over forty bank accounts to his conspirators, which were
used to receive fraudulent wire transfers from their victims totaling over $1,000,000USD.
He was, on August 21, 2019, indicted in the United States District Court, District of
Nebraska, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
However, Okpoh, on Friday, September 18, 2020, turned himself in at the Lagos Zonal Office
of the Commission in company with his parents, Col. Garuba Okpoh(retd.) and Chief (Mrs.)
Justina Okpoh.
Okpoh, during interrogation, said he made the move to surrender himself to the Commission
out of respect he had for his parents and his resolve to be morally upright.
The press release includes a photo:
6m-internet-scam-suspect-on-fbi-list-turns-himself-in
419 Coalition comment: Give the young man Some credit for having the decency
to turn himself in, that should count for something... but of course the victims
need to have their stolen funds recovered and repatriated as well.
**********************************************
21 SEP 2020
Court Jails Internet Fraudster Six Months
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office, has
secured the conviction and sentencing of one Oluwasegun Idowu Imole, an internet
fraudster, to six months imprisonment before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special
Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
The convict was arrested, following an intelligence report received by the Commission
about the activities of some young boys in the Ikorodu area of Lagos who were living
flamboyantly without any known means of livelihood.
Investigation revealed that he was involved in a love scam and used fake identities
to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
He was subsequently arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on possession of
fraudulent documents containing false pretense, an offence contrary to Section 320
of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015, use of false document and impersonation.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him.
Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Joy Amahian and Okezie Chineye, reviewed
the facts of the matter and urged the court to convict him accordingly.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Dada convicted the defendant and sentenced him to
six months imprisonment from September 2, 2020, with an option of N250,000.00 fine.
court-jails-internet-fraudster-six-months
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18 SEP 2020
Internet Fraudster Bags Nine Months
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos,
has convicted and sentenced an internet fraudster, Sulaiman Toheeb Gbenga, to nine
months imprisonment.
Gbenga began his journey to prison, after he was arrested, sometime in June 2020,
following intelligence received by the Commission about his activities, and subsequent
arraignment on September 17, 2020 on one-count charge bordering on possession of
fraudulent documents containing false pretence.
He pleaded guilty to the charge: "That you, Sulaimon Toheeb Gbenga, on or about the
10th day of June, 2020 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court,
knowingly had in your possession a document containing false pretences, wherein you
held yourself out as one "Susan Taylor", which representation you knew to be false
and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of
Lagos State, 2015."
Consequently, prosecution counsel, Suleiman Ismail, reviewed the facts of the matter
and urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Taiwo found him guilty of the offence and sentenced
him to nine months imprisonment.
The Judge also ordered the forfeiture of all items recovered from him to the Federal
Government of Nigeria.
The press release includes a photo:
internet-fraudster-bags-nine-months
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17 SEP 2020
Fraudster Bags Jail Term for Romance Scam in Kwara
Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court on Wednesday, September
16, 2020, convicted and sentenced 29-year-old Usman Muhammed to prison for
romance scam.
The convict was prosecuted by the Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) on one-count charge of impersonation.
The charge read, "That you, Usman Muhammed (a.k.a Adepeju Omolara and Guns Omolara
Valle), sometime in February, 2020 or thereabout at Ilorin, Kwara State, within the
jurisdiction of his honourable court, attempted to commit an offence of cheating
by impersonation by pretending and representing yourself to be a woman called Omolara
Adepeju and Guns Omolara Valle, to unsuspected men on social media as it contained
in both your Facebook and WhatsApp conversations on your phone and thereby committed
an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 95 of the Penal Code Laws of
Northern Nigeria."
He pleaded guilty to the charge, upon which Adenike Ayoku, an operative of the EFCC
reviewed the facts of the case, stating that the convict, who was arrested in his residence
in Abeokuta, Ogun State is an internet fraudster, who pretended to be female and used female
nude photographs to fraudulently obtain money from unsuspecting internet users as evidenced
in his Facebook and WhatsApp accounts.
Justice Oyinloye, who noted that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable, and
that the prosecution's evidence was neither challenged nor contradicted by the defendant,
ordered the convict to pay a fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira only ) within 24 hours,
or be committed to six months imprisonment.
The convict also forfeited his two phones which were the tools of his crime to the
Federal Government.
The press release includes a photo:
fraudster-bags-jail-term-for-romance-scam-in-kwara
***********************************************
11 SEP 2020
EFCC Arrests Two Music Producers, Four Others For Alleged Cyber Crimes In Uyo
Operatives of the Uyo zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
have arrested two music producers and four others over their alleged involvement in cyber
crimes in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The music producers are John Obot and Odok Valentine. Others are; Emdiong Iwoenang ;
Christian Alvan Okechukwu, Innocent Japhet and Edem Uwana.
They were arrested recently at their apartment located on 3 Ring Road, off Shelter
Afrique, Uyo.
Items recovered from them, at the point of arrest, are: five laptops; 11 mobile phones;
one grey-coloured Mazda 3, a black-coloured Lexus ES 350 and a silver-coloured Toyota
Camry car.
Forensic analyses of the 5 laptops and 11 phones recovered from them, revealed evidences
of their various levels of involvement in cyber crimes. Based on the incriminating evidences
against them, they all owned up and made confessional statements.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-arrests-two-music-producers-four-others-for-alleged-cyber-crimes-in-uyo
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10 SEP 2020
EFCC Arrests Brothers, Three Others For Alleged Internet Fraud In Ibadan
Operatives of the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal
office, have arrested two pairs of brothers : Ayoola Timilehin, Olusola Timilehin,
and Oladayo Fayemi, Tolulope Fayemi and three others suspected to be internet fraudsters.
They were arrested at their hide out on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at Alaka, Elebu
area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The other three suspects arrested with them are Temitope Kumuyi, Babatunde Oyelakin
and Olanrewaju Ibrahim. They are all between 20 and 30 years age range.
The suspects were arrested based on intelligence linking them with opulence without
any identifiable means of livelihood. Items recovered from them, include: four cars,
laptops, exotic phones and a stamp bearing the identity of the bursary section
of Queensland University's School of Medicine, Australia.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-brothers-three-others-for-alleged-internet-fraud-in-ibadan
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9 SEP 2020
EFCC Arrests 22 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Owerri
Operatives of the Uyo zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
(EFCC), have arrested 22 suspected internet fraudsters at different locations in
Imo state.
The all-male suspects, whose ages range between 20 and 41, were nabbed recently
at "Sight and Services" within "World Bank", in Ugwuma Town and "Road Safety"
by Toronto road, Egbu, Owerri, Imo state.
They are: Chinonso Anozie Frank; Ogadibo Victor Chikeluba; Clinton Njoku Onyekachi;
Okoro Edwin Chigozie; Anozie Chibuzor Harold; Anyaeriuba Canice; Ogbuehi Anderson;
Okere Nonye; Njoku Paul Chibuike; Ndalaka Felix Chukwuebuka and Anele Chibuike Timothy.
Others are; Chidi Kalu; Uparai Daniel; Ubochi Christian Ikechukwu; Udoka Obi; Chiagozie
Morris Obiano; Moses Akaedite; Henry Princewill Chisom; Prince Ibe; Ugwuegbu Fredrick
Ekenna, William Peter Obinna and Udoka Ihiekwe Kelechi.
At the point of arrest, several cars and gadgets were recovered from them and they include:
A black Lexus E5 330; a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla LE, a silver-coloured Toyota Camry
and a blue Toyota Corolla LE.
Others include a silver-coloured Lexus E5; a black Toyota Venza, a grey -coloured
Mercedes ML350 SUV and a silver-coloured Toyota Highlander SUV.
Also recovered from them are 15 laptops and 20 sophisticated mobile phones.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-22-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-owerri
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9 SEP 2020
EFCC Arrests Twin Brothers For Internet Fraud In Ilorin
The Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
has arrested twin brothers: Kehinde Adebayo and Taiye Adebayo over their
alleged involvement in offences bordering on internet fraud.
They were arrested at their hideout in Ilorin, Kwara State on Tuesday,
September 8, 2020, following intelligence received by the Commission on
their activities.
Analyses conducted so far on their phones and laptops have linked them
to the alleged offence.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-twin-brothers-for-internet-fraud-in-ilorin
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9 SEP 2020
EFCC Arrests Three Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abuja
The Abuja zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC),
has arrested three suspected internet fraudsters in the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT), for their alleged involvement in romance scam, identity theft and other
internet-related fraud.
The suspects, Ajayiton Harry (27), Okoro Daniel (28) and Oziegbe Precious Ehijele
(27) were arrested in their hideout in Flat G2, Plot 334, Dawaki, behind News
Engineering, Abuja, following intelligence volunteered by concerned citizens
in the area.
Items recovered from the suspects include, two Lexus R350 SUV, three laptops
and expensive phones.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-three-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-abuja
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5 SEP 2020
EFCC Arrests Three Suspected Fraudsters For Land Scam, One Other For Internet Fraud.
[Note: We will only report below on the Internet Fraudster (419er)]
Also arrested was a 33- year old suspected Internet fraudster: Omos Michael, who was
nabbed at his residence, located at Ikot Akpan-Abia, Uyo.
Micheal, while being interrogated, confessed that he is an Internet fraudster, specializing
in love scam. He confessed that he has made over N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira only )
through the illicit business.
A forensic analysis of his laptop, further revealed that he used the name 'Brad McDonald
Lampard' to defraud most of his female victims, who are mostly foreigners.
One of his victims, Nancy Strassner, whom Michael allegedly promised to marry, offered
him $3500. He later dumped the 60-year old lady.
However, investigations by the EFCC showed that, Strassner actually borrowed the money
and pleaded with Micheal to refund the money, "to enable her clear her mountain of debts".
Michael neither married the old lady nor refunded her money.
Items recovered from Micheal when he was arrested include: One Lexus GS 350 SUV; a Central
Bank of Nigeria cheque in favour of Nancy Strassner to the tune of $42, 200; Contract Award
Certificate issued in favour of Brad McDonald Lampard to the tune of $200,000, one iphone 11
and another iphone 6 phone.
The suspects will soon be charged to court.
The article includes a photo:
efcc-arrests-three-suspected-fraudsters-for-land-scam-one-other-for-internet-fraud
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4 SEP 2020
Internet Fraud: Unilorin Student to Sweep Road, Clear Gutter for Three Months
Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin, on Thursday,
September 4, 2020 sentenced 24-year old undergraduate of University of Ilorin, Salau
Olumide to three months of sweeping road and clearing of gutters for internet fraud.
The convict was prosecuted by the Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission ( EFCC) on one-count charge of attempting to cheat by criminal
impersonation.
The charge read, "That you, Salau Olumide (a.k.a Rick Freeman) between November, 2017
- August, 2018 at Ilorin, Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court,
attempted to cheat by personation by pretending to be one Rick Freeman, a white Caucasian
with an email account; salauolumide@gamil.com and thereby committed an offence contrary
to Section 95 and 321 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 324 of the same
Law."
Olumide is to sweep Tanke Road, starting from GTB junction to Abulennla Furniture,
University Road, Tanke, Ilorin, starting from September 7 to December 7, 2020 or
pay N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) option of fine.
Justice Oyinloye further stated ordered the convict to make himself available to the
non-custodial service unit of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Madala, Ilorin for
profiling and documentation, failure of which would attract six months imprisonment
and "to provide notes on or immediately after 7th of December 2020 to the Chief
Registrar of the High Court of Justice, Kwara State, confirming that the convict
actually performed or observed the non-custodial sentence."
Troubles came for the convict when he was arrested by operatives of the EFCC for
attempting to cheat by impersonating a Caucasian, Rich Freeman. He was arraigned
before the court and pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him.
The press release includes a photo:
internet-fraud-unilorin-student-to-sweep-road-clear-gutter-for-three-months
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4 SEP 2020
EFCC Arrests 13 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Lagos
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos zonal office, has arrested
13 suspected internet fraudsters, around the Alagbado axis of Lagos State.
The suspects are Olowosoke Temidire; Oladoyin Tolulope; Adeyemi Toyese Jubril; Agbeluyi
Olusola; Olayinka Azeez; Abdullahi Olalekan; Gbenga Ade; Nwokeso Innocent; Obodoukwu
Godstime; Mba Emmanuel; Oluwadare Ibisiola, Damilola Ogunsemire and Christopher Ubong.
The suspects were arrested on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 by operatives of the Commission
at Plot 109 Obas Street off AIT Estate, Lagos State, and some other areas within the axis,
following credible intelligence received from concerned members of the public on their
criminal activities.
Analyses of their phones and laptops have revealed that the suspects are members of
an Organized Cyber Criminal Syndicate Network (OCCSN), defrauding unsuspecting victims
of millions of Naira.
Also, items suspected to be charms were found on one of the suspects, who confessed to
using charms to defraud his victims and shutting their mouths from exposing him.
Other items recovered from the suspects include six exotic vehicles, mobile devices and laptops.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-arrests-13-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos
*********************************************
31 AUG 2020
Unilorin Undergraduate To Clear Drainage For 3 Months Over Romance Scam
Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Coourt, sitting in Ilorin
has convicted and sentenced Akinsanya Olamide Ridwan, a four hundred level
undergraduate of the University of Ilorin to three months Community Service
for committing romance scam.
The service requires him to clear the drainage at Bekind filing Station
near Tipper Garage, Tanke up to the gate of the University of Ilorin for
Three Months commencing from September 2, 2020.
Ridwan got the jail term on Monday, August 31, 2020 after being arraigned
on one one-count charge, bordering on internet fraud and other fraud-related
offences by the Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission( EFCC)
The charge read: "That you,Akinsanya Riwan (a.k.a Alex James) sometime in
March, 2020 or thereabout at Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction
of this Honorable Court attempted to commit an offence of cheating by
personation by pretending and representing yourself to be a white man
called Alex James to an unsuspected white woman, Stewart Sonia on a dating
site called Hangout as it is contained in your gmail account: alexjames789123@gmail.com
and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 95
of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria."
The defendant pleaded guilty to the one-count charge.
While reviewing the facts of the case, Mahmoud Ibrahim Hamman, an Assistant
Detective Superintendent with the EFCC, Ilorin zonal office told the court
"My Lord, the defendant was arrested on March 16, 2020 at Pipeline, behind
Princess hotel, Ilorin Kwara State, based on intelligence."
"A search was conducted in his house and one Galaxy phone and laptop were
recovered, we analysed them and discovered an email box where several fraudulent
messages were printed in his presence."
Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Oyinloye convicted and sentenced
the defendant, based on exhibits tendered and the proof of evidence brought
before the court.
The Judge ordered the convict to clear the drainage at Bekind filing Station
near Tipper Garage, Tanke up to the gate of the University of Ilorin for Three
Months commencing from September 2, 2020.
He said the convict should get a notice of clearance from the Registrar of the
University of Ilorin and the Kwara State Command of the Nigerian Correctional
Service, adding that failure to do so would attract him six months imprisonment.
The court also ordered the convict to pay a fine of Fifty Thousand Naira( N50,000)
in addition to the Community Service.
The press release includes a photo:
unilorin-undergraduate-to-clear-drainage-for-3-months-over-romance-scam
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31 AUG 2020
EFCC Arrests 14 Internet Fraudsters In Enugu
Operatives of the Enugu zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, (EFCC) has arrested fourteen suspected internet fraudsters, from
different parts of Awka, Anambra State.
They were arrested on Monday, August 31, 2020 , based on intelligence available
to the Commission.
Specifically, the suspects, whose age range between 21 and 28 were arrested
at Okpuno Awka, Agu Awka and Ngozika estate, all in Anambra State.
Items recovered from them are: different exotic vehicles which include three
Mercedes Benz 4matic, three Mercedes Benz AMG, two Lexus Rx salon cars.
Interim analyses of some of the suspects’ phones indicated they were involved
in some suspected internet fraud which include online bitcom scam, love scam
and identity theft.
The suspects will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are
concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-14-internet-fraudsters-in-enugu
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26 AUG 2020
EFCC Arrests 9 Yahoo Boys in Port Harcourt
The Port Harcourt Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, on Wednesday August 26, 2020 arrested nine suspected internet fraudsters.
The suspects are: Sotonye Orugbane; David Egbunugwu; Emmanuel Chinemerem; Providence
Oliver Samuel and Emmanuel Fidelis Nwambu. Others are: Promise Nkwachi; Micah Nimi,
Precious Ogadinma and Ebi Micah.
They were apprehended in an early morning raid on their hideout in Ozuoba by Obirikwere
Road, Choba; NTA Road and Ada George Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Investigations indicate that the suspects specialize in love scam, online Bitcoin
scam, identity theft, trading scam, among others.
Items recovered from them include Sixteen (16) Mobile phones of different brands;
one (1) HP laptop; two (2) Apple watches and two (2) Vehicles :One Lexus ES 350
with registration number Abuja KUJ 412 AT and one Toyota Camry 2.4 with registration
number Abuja KWL 35 AT.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon investigations are concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-9-yahoo-boys-in-port-harcourt
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26 AUG 2020
EFCC Arrests 15 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Lagos
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
Lagos Zonal Office, have arrested 15 suspected internet fraudsters
in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
The suspects are: Sunday Okpe; Taiwo Adelagun; Obarakyo Tega; Fasuyi
Oladapo; Mark Adedeji Kuju; Adelakun Kehinde Adewunmi; Temitope Gabriel
Onore, Christopher Blessed and Aniche Ezenwa Francis.
Others are: Abiodun Godspower Odion; Abiodun ThankGod Omoh; Raji Ayo
Sheriff; Adeogun Babatunde, Olusesi Razaq Demola and Kole Adetoyinbo.
The suspected internet fraudsters were arrested on August 15, 2020
at Ayo Babatunde Crescent and James Adejumo areas of Lekki, Lagos
State, following intelligence received from concerned members of
the public on their criminal activities.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-15-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos
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21 AUG 2020
EFCC Arrests Nine Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Minna
The Abuja Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
(EFCC) has arrested nine suspected internet fraudsters in Minna, Niger State.
They were arrested following intelligence volunteered to the Commission
by concerned residents of the area.
The suspects were picked up by the operatives of the Commission at their
hideouts in Room 202, Seftec Hotels, behind NNPC's mega petrol filling
station, Minna, Niger State, for their alleged involvement in love scam
and other internet related crimes.
The article contains photos:
efcc-arrests-nine-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-minna
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20 AUG 2020
Alleged $111,500 Internet Fraud: EFCC Arrests 4 Uniport Undergraduates In Port Harcourt
Operatives of the Port Harcourt zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC have arrested four students of the University of Port Harcourt
for their alleged involvement in internet fraud.
The quartet, who allegedly defrauded 15 victims of $111,500( One Hundred and Eleven Thousand,
Five Hundred United States Dollars) are: Prince Hyacinth; Rex Emadifie Oghene, Odili Ifeayi
and Uduak Samuel Williams. They were picked up on Thursday, August 20, 2020 from their hideout
at Chibiak Avenue, Elenpranwo, Ada George, Port Harcourt.
Upon their arrest, the following items were recovered: one Tecno Spark 4 belonging to Prince
Hyacinth; one Iphone 11 Pro Max, two Infinix Hot and one apple Laptop belonging to Odili Ifeayi;
one Iphone 7 and two Iphone 11 belonging to Rex Emadifie Oghene and one iphone 8+, one Acer
Laptop and one HP Laptop belonging Uduak Samuel Williams.
Preliminary investigation established that the suspects are majorly involved in a romance scam
and also act as pickers for an organized ring of fraudsters.
The article incldes photos:
internet-fraud-efcc-arrests-4-uniport-undergraduates-in-port-harcourt
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19 AOG 2020
EFCC Arrests Seven Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Enugu
The Enugu zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has
arrested seven internet fraudsters. They are: Ebere Tochukwu; Onuh Harrison; Christian
Ogbonna; Ojobo Kingsley, Eze Charles, Princewill Nwalu and Ekene Ibekaku .
They were arrested at Loma Linda Extension Enugu, Enugu State. Their arrest followed
intelligence signalling them as a syndicate of fraudsters that specialise in defrauding
unsuspecting members of the public, especially foreigners through the internet.
Items recovered from the suspected fraudsters include: three exotic cars: Lexus ES 350,
Benz C300 and a Toyota Camry. Other incriminating materials recovered from them are
several mobile phones and laptops.
The suspects have given useful information in the course of interrogation and will be
charged to court soon.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-arrests-seven-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-enugu
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17 AUG 2020
Internet Fraudster Bags Six Months , Two Weeks Community Service
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos has convicted
and sentenced one Oluwaseun Adetokunbo, an internet fraudster, to six months imprisonment.
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, first arraigned
Adetokunbo on August 10, 2020 on one-count charge of conspiracy, an offence contrary to Section
8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act 2006, following his arrest at 1004
Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, on July 4, 2020.
He was, however, re-arraigned on August 14, 2020 on an amended one-count charge, to which he
pleaded "guilty".
In view of his guilty plea, the prosecution presented evidences and facts of the matter to
the court, which included documents printed from the convicts’ email and phone as well as
his extra-judicial statements to the Commission.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Dada convicted and sentenced him to six months in prison.
The Judge also ordered him to perform community service for a period of two weeks
Items recovered from the convict, which included an iPhone 6 and another mobile phone,
were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
internet-fraudster-bags-six-months-two-weeks-community-service
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17 AUG 2020
EFCC Arrests Air Man, 26 Others For Internet Fraud In Lagos
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office, have
arrested a serving military personnel, Lance Corporal Ajayi Kayode and 26 others for alleged
internet fraud in the Lekki axis of Lagos State.
Kayode, with service number NAF18/34732, was arrested in his military attire during an early
morning raid at 6B, Fatai Idowu Arobike, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, on Saturday, August 15, 2020,
following intelligence received from concerned members of the public about his alleged involvement
in criminal activities.
He was arrested alongside Kalu Emmanue; Hassan Sunday; Odinaka David Okem; Victor Ochiabuito;
Christopher Prince; Victor Ologhu; Alex Aka; Miracle Onyekwere; Habeeb Ayomide; Olakunle Ajeigbu,
Rasheed Olanrewaju and Salam Hakeem.
Others are: Adeniran Nurudeen; Opeyemi Ojo Chris; Derrick Moris; Shehu Oluoti; Fuad Akinbayo;
Babatunde Idowu; Uzo Igwe Nathaniel; Debowale Adedoyin; Shegun Emmanuel; Godswill Maduchem;
Samson Kazeem; Oluwatobi Oluwatoba, Olaitan Ajao and Oyindamola Kareem.
In his statement to the EFCC, Kayode said the “big shot yahoo yahoo boys” in whose company he was
arrested, were his friends and that they had been teaching him how to make money through cybercrime.
While the "boys" are members of Organised Cyber Criminal Syndicate Network, OCCSN, the ladies
arrested with them confirmed the involvement of their "boyfriends" in internet fraud.
Items recovered from the suspects include diamond jewelry, exotic cars and expensive phones.
The suspects will be charged to court soon.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-soldier-26-others-for-internet-fraud-in-lagos
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14 AUG 2020
Yahoo Boy Bags Three Months of Traffic Control in Ilorin
The Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) on Thursday,
August 13, 2020, secured the conviction of one Kolade Emmanuel Balogun for internet fraud.
Balogun was convicted by Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin on
one count charge of criminal impersonation brought against him by the Commission.
The charge read: "That you, Kolade Balogun (a.k.a Willam Davis, alias Behemooth) sometime
in March, 2020 or thereabout at Ilorin, Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable
court, attempted to commit an offence of cheating by impersonation by pretending and representing
yourself to be a white man, called Willam Davis, alias Behemooth to unsuspected white woman on
dating site called, Seeking Arrangement as it is contained in your gmail account: Willamdavis@gmail.com
and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 95 of the Penal Code Law of
Northern Nigeria."
He pleaded guilty to the charge, upon which prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Adebayo asked the court to
convict him, while defence counsel, Rotimi Oyagbola urged the court to temper justice with mercy,
arguing that his client was a first time offender.
Justice Oyinloye in his judgement noted that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt,
considering the unchallenged and uncontroverted testimonies of a prosecution witness.
He sentenced the convict to three months traffic control at the junction behind the Kwara State Ministry
of Physical Planning, commencing from August 17 and lasting till October 17, 2020 or pay a fine of N50,000
(Fifty Thousand Naira). He also forfeited his phones and laptops to the federal government.
The press release includes a photo:
yahoo-boy-bags-three-months-of-traffic-control-in-ilorin
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13 AUG 2020
Court Jails Four Fraudsters In Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured
the conviction of four Internet fraudsters, Kunle Omoniyi; Bassey Odo, Paul Adebisi and
Temitope Samson, who were arrested in different parts of the state recently.
The convicts were all charged with offences bordering on possession of documents containing
false pretences and involvement in other forms of Advance Fee Fraud.
While Omoniyi, Odo and Adebisi were convicted and sentenced by Justice Mojisola Dada of the
Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, Samson was convicted and sentenced by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo
of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos.
The EFCC had, on August 10, 2020, arraigned Omoniyi on a three-count charge, following
intelligence received about his criminal activities, to which he pleaded guilty.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Dada sentenced him to 18 months in prison commencing from
the date of conviction, with an option of N250,000 fine.
The Judge also ordered that two small gold chains, one big gold chain with two pendants and
iPhone 11 Pro Max mobile phone recovered from him should be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Odo's travail began after the Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST, petitioned the EFCC on January
20, 2020 accusing him of compromising its official email account, emsnigcsu@yahoo.com by creating
a pseudo account, emsrugcs6@gmail.com, which was used to defraud unsuspecting citizens.
He was subsequently arraigned before Justice Dada on August 11, 2020 on amended three counts,
to which he pleaded "guilty".
Consequently, Dada convicted him and sentenced him to one year imprisonment from the date
of his conviction, with an option of N250,000 fine.
The Court further ordered him to pay the sum of N8, 350 to the complainant, Okott John, in
restitution and also forfeit the iPhone X mobile phone recovered from him to the Federal
Government.
In the same vein, Justice Dada convicted Adebisi on August 11, 2020 on five counts and
sentenced him to two years imprisonment commencing from the date of his conviction, with
an option of N500, 000 fine.
He was also ordered to forfeit to the Federal Government one dark black iPhone X, one App
laptop, and one Macbook laptop, which were recovered from him.
Justice Taiwo convicted Samson on the two-counts charge filed against him, and sentenced him
to six months imprisonment on August 10, 2020, with an option of N250,000 fine.
The Judge also ordered the forfeiture of the iPhone X mobile phone recovered from him to the
Federal Government.
Samson had been arrested at 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, following intelligence about
his involvement in internet fraud.
court-jails-four-fraudsters-in-lagos
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11 AUG 2020
EFCC Arrests 3 Corps Members, 19 Undergraduates, 10 Others for Alleged Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Office, on Tuesday, August 11, 2020,
arrested 32 "Yahoo boys" for alleged involvement in internet fraud.
The suspects were apprehended during a raid on their hideout in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Officers
of the EFCC swept on the location, after diligent analysis of series of intelligence gathered
on their alleged criminal activities.
Three of the suspects claimed to be serving members of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC),
19 were undergraduates of various universities across the country, while the remaining 10 laid
claim to sundry vocations.
The suspects are Oyebamiji Francis; Aremo Jeremiah; Ogbonnaya Prosper John; Anuoluwapo Matthew;
Oladele Victor; Mumuni Waliyullah; Olawoyin Abiodun; Okuwatoyin Henry; Arisekola Shina; Babarinde
Solomon; Samson Gideon; Joshua Ola Adebayo; Ajayi Joseph Ajibola; Garba Mojeed, Olatunbosun Tobiloba
and Azeez Ridwan.
Others are Ajala Timilehin; Adebolapo Bakare; Alaba Gideon; Ogunkeye Olumide; Ogunleke Tolu;
Olapade Emmanuel; Adegoke Aanu Abiodun; Job Ayantoye; Oyebode Pelumi; Babayanju Toluwani; Oladele
Ayobami; Omonaiye Abubakar; Sattong Baking; Abisoye Kehinde, Iwajomo Nathan and Aniyikaye Tope.
At the point of their arrest, 12 exotic cars, several phones, laptops and some incriminating documents
were recovered from them.
The suspects were subjected to thorough screening by medical officials of the EFCC, in line with the
Covid-19 prevention protocols.
They would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes several photos:
efcc-arrests-3-corps-members-19-undergraduates-10-others-for-alleged-internet-fraud
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8 AUG 2020
EFCC Secures Conviction of Six Internet Fraudsters
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of six
internet fraudsters.
The fraudsters, who specialised in Business E-mail Compromise (BCG), internet fraud, and
other related offences are: Chisom Emmanuel Odom; Isajimi Joshua; Tafa Basit; Adeleye Oladele
Benjamin, Chukwu Simon and Amoo Tunmise.
They were sentenced and convicted by different Federal High Court judges at the Federal
Capital Territory on charges bordering on internet frauds.
The convicts' problems started when residents of their respective neighbourhoods petitioned
the EFCC, alleging them of suspicious lifestyles as signals of criminality.
Investigation by the Commission revealed that the fraudsters converted their residences
to dens, where they were operating freely and defrauding members of the public.
Items discovered from them, upon their arrests, were electronic gadgets, ranging from
sophisticated computer systems, software and hardware devices, browsers amongst others.
They were subsequently charged to different courts where they pleaded guilty.
Justice F.O.G Ogunbanjo, convicted and sentenced Odom and Joshua while Justice Ojukwu
of Federal High Court, convicted Benjamin to two years imprisonment. She also convicted
and sentenced Tunmise and ordered him to pay a fine of N1million.
In the same vein, Justice Binta Nyako convicted and sentenced Simon and Basit to six
months and three months respectively.
efcc-secures-conviction-of-six-internet-fraudsters
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7 AUG 2020
Yahoo Boys Bag Three Months of Community Service in Ilorin
Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of Kwara State High Court, Ilorin on Thursday, August 7, 2020 convicted
and sentenced the duo of Akinola Opeyemi and Owolabi Olajide to three months of community service
for internet fraud.
They are to sweep the Physics Department of the University of Ilorin and the premises of Saint
Anthony Secondary School, Ilorin for three months or pay N50,000 option of fine each.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal
Office on separate one-count charge of cheating and impersonation to which they pleaded guilty.
An operative of the Commission, Olarewaju Lamidi, who reviewed the fact of the case disclosed that
trouble started for the convicts when in March 2020, the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Commission placed
some areas of the city on surveillance, following intelligence on the activities of internet fraudsters
in the municipality, and arrested the defendants and others as a result.
Analysis of iPhones and laptops recovered from the convicts, yielded fraudulent email addresses
and messages, which the convicts confessed to be theirs.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Oyinloye said, "I have carefully considered the evidence before
the court, the exhibits tendered and the uncontroverted testimony of the prosecution witness. This
honourable court holds that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, the
defendants are hereby convicted as charged."
In sentencing them to community service, the judge directed the Head of Physics Department, University
of Ilorin and the Principal, Saint Anthony Secondary to issue an assessment letter on the convicts'
compliance with the judgment to the Chief registrar of the Kwara State High Court, at the completion
of their community service. Poor level of compliance, the judge stated, would earn the convicts a direct
six months imprisonment. The case was prosecuted by Nnaemeka Omewa.
yahoo-boys-bag-three-months-of-community-service-in-ilorin
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24 JUL 2020
Fraudster Bags 20 Years For Defrauding A Taiwanese
A 30-year-old fraudster, Gabriel Adekola Oluokun, was on Thursday July 23, 2020, sentenced to 20
years imprisonment by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State for
defrauding a Taiwanese to the tune of $22,300 (Twenty-Two Thousand, Three Hundred United States Dollars).
The convict was prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, on a six-count amended charge of obtaining money by false pretence for which he was found guilty
and convicted.
Oluokun's journey to prison started when the Commission received a petition from one Nduka Lucious
in which he alleged that the convict collected the sum of $22,300 from him in three instalments on
the agreement that he will supply 100 metric tonnes of sesame seed to one Victoria Xhung, a China-based
Taiwanese businesswoman, whom the petitioner represents in Nigeria.
While the convict failed to deliver, he converted the sum to his personal use.
On conclusion of investigations, he was arraigned on April 6, 2018 on a six-count charge of obtaining
money by false pretences to which he pleaded not guilty and was re-arraigned on June 15, 2020 on a
six-count amended charge for the same offence, for which he was convicted on Thursday.
After reviewing the arguments of the prosecution team of Dr. Ben Ubi, Oluwatinuwe Daramola and Mabas
Mabur and that of the defence team, Justice Abdumalik convicted the defendant on counts one to four
of the charges, which contravene Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences
Act, 2006, sentencing him to five years on each of the four counts, which are to run concurrently
and discharged and acquitted him on counts five and six.
Aside the prison term, the convict is to restitute his victim, the sum of $22,300, with the caveat
that the jail term will be extended by additional two years if he fails to make the repayment.
He also forfeited his Toyota Corolla saloon car to the Federal government.
The press release includes a photo:
fraudster-bags-20-years-for-defrauding-a-taiwanese
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23 JUL 2020
Internet Fraudster Bags Two Years Imprisonment
Justice Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State has convicted and
sentenced Osawaru Samson to two years imprisonment, with an option of fine of N1,000,000( One
Million Naira only).
Samson was arraigned by the Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, on a two count charge bordering on impersonation.
One of the counts read: "That you Osawaru Samson on or about the 6th day of May, 2019 at Benin
City, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court fraudulently impersonated Kennedy Lucas
and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrimes (prohibition
prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act."
Samson pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, M. Funkeye prayed the court to convict and sentence
the defendant accordingly. However, defence counsel, Paul Ejiga prayed the court to temper justice
with mercy as the defendant was a first-time offender and has promised never to return to crime.
Justice Demi-Ajayi sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment or a fine of One Million Naira.
The convict is also to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour forthwith.
The press release includes a photo:
internet-fraudster-bags-two-years-imprisonment
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22 JUL 2020
COURT JAILS FIVE INTERNET FRAUDSTERS IN ENUGU
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Zonal office on Wednesday, July 22,
2020, secured the conviction of five internet fraudsters namely, Benjamin Chukwuma Anyaegbusi
(A.K.A Wilma Clark); Obi Odinaka (A.K.A Michael Groote); Shamgar Ifejindu ( A.K.A Karen Erika)
Meze Michael (A.K.A Lea Felicitas) and Franklin Ibeh (A.K.A Amelia Shoes) before Justice I. Buba
of the Federal High court, sitting in Enugu, Enugu state on one count charge each bordering
on internet fraud.
The convicts, who were arrested in Awka, Anambra State, were arraigned on July 21. 2020 wherein
they all pleaded guilty as charged by the EFCC.
Justice Buba after reviewing the charges against the convicts, found them guilty and handed two
years imprisonment each to them, or an option of fine of Five Hundred Thousand (N500, 000), each.
The court ordered that Seventeen Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N17, 900, 000) found
in Anyaegbusi's bank account be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Court further ordered that Lexus ES 350, HP Laptop, iPhone 7 plus and Infinix Hot 6 mobile
phone also recovered from him should also be forfeited to the Federal government.
Investigation by the Commission revealed that all the suspects not only impersonated several
foreign nationals but also operated illegal online businesses purportedly dealing in Crypto
currencies and other sundry businesses and used same to defraud unsuspecting victims.
The press release includes photos:
court-jails-five-internet-fraudsters-in-enugu
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21 JUL 2020
Court Jails Five Internet Fraudsters In Abeokuta
Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday,
July 20, 2020, handed different jail terms to five internet fraudsters.
The convicts, Sodiq Adeleke Adeyinka; Sambo Muhammed Abiodun; Adegoke Agboola, Kehinde Quadri
Oladimeji and Daniel Praise, were prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on separate one-count charge of criminal impersonation,
to which they all pleaded guilty.
Abiodun bagged four months jail term, Praise and Adeyinka, five months each, while Agboola
and Oladimeji earned six and eight months jail terms, respectively.
Aside his prison term, Justice Abubakar ordered Abiodun to restitute the sum of $3,700 (Three
Thousand, Seven Hundred United States Dollars) to his victim, and forfeit his iPhone X to the
Federal government.
Praise is to restitute the sum of $1,300 (One Thousand, Three Hundred United States Dollars)
to his victim and forfeit his Infinix Hot 8 phone to the government. Adeyinka on his part is
to restitute the sum of $1,500 (One Thousand, Five Hundred United States Dollars) to his victim,
and forfeit his iPhone 11 Pro, Itel phone, and power bank to the government.
Oladimeji is to restitute $175 (One Hundred and Seventy-five United States Dollars) to his victim
and forfeit his iPhone 7 and HP laptop to the government, while Agboola is to forfeit his iPhone 7
and 6s and a Techno phones to the Federal government.
The press release includes photos:
court-jails-five-internet-fraudsters-in-abeokuta
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20 JUL 2020
Fraudster Jailed in Abeokuta, Forfeits Assets
Justice Ibrahim Watilat of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State has sentenced one
Festus Gbenga Ajayi, to one year imprisonment for internet fraud.
The convict was prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC on one-count charge of criminal impersonation, having been arrested on October,
2019 in a raid conducted in his hideout in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Investigations conducted by the Commission linked him to series of internet-related frauds
which formed the ground for his initial arraignment on eight-count charges, bordering on
criminal impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence before the charges were amended
to one-count, to which he pleaded guilty.
Apart from the jail term which takes effect from the day of conviction, the judge ordered that
the convict forfeits his uncompleted one-storey building, located in Ado-Ekiti, a Toyota Corolla
car, one gold-colour iPhone, among other proceeds of and tools of crime to the Federal government.
He had earlier refunded N1,400,000 (One Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) to the government,
through the EFCC.
The press release includes a photo:
court-jails-fraudster-in-abeokuta-forfeits-assets
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17 JUL 2020
Two Internet Fraudsters Bag Three Years in Warri
Justice Emeka Nwite of Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State, on Wednesday,
on July 15, 2020, sentenced Ochuko Okikifo (a.k.a Claire Grorgr) and King Thank
God (a.k.a Frank Lawson) to three years jail term each for criminal impersonation.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC, on separate one-count charge of impersonation, to which
they pleaded guilty.
The charge against Okikifo read: "That you, Ochuko Okikifo (a.k.a Claire Grorgr),
sometime in 2019 in Sapele, Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable
court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of Claire Grorgr, a German, by
sending electronic messages, materially misrepresenting facts to one Laverne Shotwell,
which electronic messages she relied on and caused her to suffer a financial loss of
$2,000.00 and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the
Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2)
(b)(iv) of the same Act."
The count charge against Thank God read: "That you King Thank God (a.k.a Frank Lawson)
sometime between 2018 and 2019 at Ugbeyiyi area of Sapele, Delta State within the
jurisdiction of this honourable court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of
Frank Lawson, a white American by sending electronic messages which materially
misrepresent facts to one Bonnie Gass, an American woman with a view to cause her
to suffer loss and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(i)
of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention etc) Act 2015 and punishable under section
22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act."
In view of their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel, Elody Immaculate, prayed the court
to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly, while defence counsel, Pascal Ugome
urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
Justice Nwite gave Okokifo the option of paying N3million fine and Thank God, N2million
in lieu of their prison terms, and ordered that both are to forfeit items recovered from
them by the EFCC to the federal government.
The press release includes photos:
two-internet-fraudsters-bag-three-years-in-warri
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16 JUL 2020
Court Jails Man One Year for Impersonation
Justice I.M. Sani of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday,
July 15, 2020 convicted and sentenced one Julius Amadi Daibi to one year imprisonment
for impersonation.
The convict was prosecuted on three-count charges by the Port Harcourt Zonal Office
of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He was found to have created a telegram account in the name of Camille Walker, bearing
the picture of a white woman and with a Nigerian telephone number: +2347034253737.
He used the same to register various crypto currency groups that promoted digitalassetsprogram.com,
a fraudulent financial platform he created.
In a bid to convince his victims to invest in the platform, the convict concocted positive
reviews of his illicit business and sent to unsuspecting members of the public he chatted
with on telegram.
The offence contravened Section 22 (3) (a) of the Cyber Crimes (prohibition, prevention
etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under 22(4) of the same Act.
One of the charges read: "That you Julius Amadi Daibi, sometime in December, 2019 at Port
Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did fraudulently
impersonate Camille Walker with the intent to gain advantage for yourself, thereby committed
an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) of the Cyber Crimes (prohibition, prevention etc)
Act, 2015 and punishable under 22(4) of the same Act.?
Justice Sani convicted and sentenced him to one year imprisonment on each of the three
counts, which run concurrently or pay N600,000.00 (Six Hundred Thousand Naira) option of f
ine at N200,000 (Two-Hundred Thousand Naira) per count.
court-jails-man-one-year-for-impersonation
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16 JUL 2020
Court Jails Three Fraudsters, Two Others Arraigned
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, on Wednesday, July 15,
2020 secured the conviction of three internet fraudsters, namely: Babatunde Akintomiwa David,
Olakunle Isaac Akinleye and Daniel Ayokunmi Shoretire.
Akinleye and Shoretire were convicted by Justices Ibrahim Watilat and Mohammed Abubakar of the
Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
They were both found guilty of impersonation and sentenced to six and eight months jail terms
respectively. David got his judgment from Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Ibadan,
who sentenced him to 14 months imprisonment for failure to comply with lawful enquiry.
Apart from the jail term, David was ordered to restitute $1,200 (One Thousand Two Hundred United
States Dollars) to his victims, namely: Shakira Raynor, James Lewis and Kiss Mi, as well as forfeit
his iPhone 8 Plus and Infinix 6 to the Federal government of Nigeria.
Shoretire is to refund $2,000 (Two Thousand United States Dollars) to his victim and forfeit his
40 inches LG TV, a Nokia phone and Spectranet modem to the Federal government; while Akinleye will
pay back $400 (Four hundred United States Dollars) to his victims and give up his iPhone X Max and
an Intel phone to the government.
The cases were prosecuted by Dr. Ben Ubi, Festus Ojo, Oluwatinuwe Daramola, Chidi Okoli and
Toyin Owodunni.
In a related development, the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Commission, on the same day, arraigned
one Tobiloba Stephen Shokunbi and Kunle Tosin Kehinde before Justice Watilat for their alleged
involvement in internet-related fraud.
After pleading not guilty to 12-count charges, preferred against them by the Commission, the
judge adjourned the matter till October 22, 2020 for the commencement of their trial.
The press release includes photos:
court-jails-three-fraudsters-two-others-arraigned
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16 JUL 2020
EFCC Arrests Uniport Undergraduate, Mother, Girlfriend for Suspected Internet Fraud
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Benin Zonal Office on Thursday
July 16, 2020 arrested a 22-year old Computer Science Undergraduate of the University of Port
Harcourt, Kenneth Gift, his girl friend, Dandy Spice and mother, Dorah Aninah for suspected
internet fraud in Agbor, Delta State.
Their arrest was sequel to a petition from the US Federal Bureau of investigation, FBI, and
intelligence by operatives of the Commission.
Items recovered from them at the point of arrest include a 5-bedroom duplex, Mercedes-Benz CA250,
Mercedes-Benz C250, Mercedes Benz GLK 350, laptop computers and mobile phones.
The suspects have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon investigations
are complete
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-uniport-undergraduate-mother-girlfriend-for-suspected-internet-fraud
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14 JUL 2020
Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters, Convicts Another
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office has secured the
conviction of two internet fraudsters, namely: Rasak Olayinka Balogun and Ayodeji Oluwaseun
Olatona, who all pleaded guilty to separate one-count charge of criminal impersonation.
The offence runs contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention
etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.
While Balogun was sentenced to seven months jail term by Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the
Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Olatona had his date with Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal
High Court, Ibadan, who sentenced him to six months imprisonment.
Apart from his jail term, Balogun was ordered to restitute $4,000 (Four Thousand United
States Dollars) to his victim, one Mantonia Duncan, and also forfeit his laptop, Samsung
Galaxy S8 phone and iPhone 11 Pro Max to the federal government, while Olatona will
restitute $500 (Five Hundred United State Dollars) to his victim and forfeit his iPhone
7 to the Federal government.
In a similar development, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, convicted
one Timilehin Awojoodu of criminal impersonation, but reserved his sentence till July 21,
2020. Besides the conviction, the judge ordered Awojoodu to restitute the sum of $2,500
(Two Thousand, Five Hundred United States Dollars) to his victim and forfeit his iPhone
7 and Infinix Hot 7 phone to the government.
The press release includes photos:
court-jails-two-internet-fraudsters-convicts-another
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13 JUL 2020
$8.5 Scam: How We Arrested Internet Fraud Kingpin, Onwuzruike – EFCC Witness
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, July 13, 2020 continued trial
in the fraud charge bought against an alleged internet fraud kingpin, Onwuzuruike Ikenna Kingsley.
The matter is before Justice A. T Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt,
Rivers State, and the prosecution presented its first witness, Abbas Suleiman, an Assistant
Detective Superintendent(ADS) of the EFCC, before the court.
While being led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, M. T Iko, Suleiman told the court how the
Commission, on receiving an intelligence on the alleged fraudulent activities of the defendant,
commenced investigation which later led to his arrest in Umuahia, Abia State.
He stated that, the defendant was arrested with the following items: One Samsung Galaxy Phone,
One iphoy 11, One black Dell laptop,Three Nigeria international Passports and One Accura car.
He also said the defendant was taken to "our Port Harcourt office, where he volunteered his
statement in writing under caution". Continuing, Suleiman disclosed that in the course of
investigation, letters of investigation activities were written to Egypt Embassy, Thailand
Embassy, United States Embassy and some banks, such as United Bank for Africa, UBA, Polaris
and Ecobank, and responses were also received from them.
Iko sought the permission of the court to tender the letters of investigation activities
in evidence and were accepted and marked as Exhibit A1 to E respectively.
Kingsley, a native of Umurokoala North local government area of Abia State, is being prosecuted
on eight-count charges bordering on conspiracy, impersonation, forgery, possession of proceeds
and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of Eight Million, Five Hundred and Two Thousand
Dollars ($8,502,000.00). He allegedly represented himself as one Jeff Sikora, President/CEO of
Prime Trust Credit Union Bank in the United States of America, USA and used the false identity
to defraud his victims, including an Egyptian who was defrauded of the sum of $6,500,000.00 on
the pretext that he was a beneficiary of Inheritance Funds in a fixed deposit account of Prime
Trust Financial Bank.
The defendant also received the sum of Two Thousand United States Dollars ($2,000) which was
transferred to him by his syndicate member, one Obi Taxas (who is now at large) as part of his
cut from the heist.
Meanwhile, Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter to 16th and 17th July, 2020 for continuation
of trial.
One of the counts against the defendant read: "that you Onwuzuruike Ikenna Kingsley (aka Jeff
Sikora) on or about the 28th day of December, 2019, at Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction
of this honourable court with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of $6,500,000.00 (Six million,
five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) through web transfer from one Mr. Selah Elnagar Ali
Ahmed, a citizen of the Arabic Republic of Egypt, with the pretence that he is a beneficiary of
Inheritance Funds in a fixed deposit account of Prime Trust Financial Bank, USA, a pretext you
knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance
Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act".
The press release includes a photo:
8-5-scam-how-we-arrested-internet-fraud-kingpin-onwuzruike-efcc-witness
**************************************************
10 JUL 2020
Court Jails Three Fraudsters In Ibadan
The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured
the conviction of three internet fraudsters in Ibadan, Oyo State, capital.
Convicted and sentenced by Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, are
Temitope Joel Adepoju and Toba Agbanah on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 and Thursday, July 9,
2020 and respectively.
The Judge handed Adepoju eight months prison term for one-count of criminal impersonation,
and additionally ordered that he forfeits $2,775 (Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Five
United States Dollars) and all items recovered from him to the Federal government, while
Agbanah got six months imprisonment for one-count charge of the same offence.
Apart from the jail term, Agbanah was also ordered to restitute a total sum of N12,104,753.93k
(Twelve Million, One Hundred and Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Three Naira, Ninety-Three
kobo) to his victims and to forfeit his laptops, expensive phones, electronics to the Federal
government.
On his own part, Justice Joyce Malik of the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, convicted
and sentenced Yomi Rilwan Olasupo to 10 months imprisonment after finding him guilty of fraudulent
impersonation, leveled against him by the Commission's Ibadan Zonal Office.
The press release includes photos:
court-jails-three-fraudsters-in-ibadan
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9 JUL 2020
Court Jails Internet Fraudster in Ilorin
Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of Kwara State High Court, Ilorin on Thursday, July 9, 2020 convicted
and sentenced 25-year-old internet fraudster, Salawu Victor to community service.
The convict was prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission ( EFCC), on one-count charge of impersonation, to which he pleaded guilty.
The charge read: "That you, Salawu Victor,(alias James Chris), sometime in the month of
February 2019, in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, did attempt to
cheat by impersonation, having portrayed yourself as a "white male, named James Chris" via
your email address jameachris231411@gmail.com to one Seth B. in other to induce him to
send you money, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence
contrary to Section 95 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Law."
Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Andrew Akoja reviewed the facts of the
case and urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Justice Oyinloye found the defendant guilty as charged and sentenced him to sweeping and
clearing Ahmadu Bello Way up to the Commissioner of Police Quarters, Ilorin G.R.A and to
additionally pay N50,000 fine.
He also forfeited two iPhones recovered from him to the Federal government with a right
to re-purchase them.
court-jails-internet-fraudster-in-ilorin
**********************************************
7 JUL 2020
Six Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms in Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has
secured the conviction of six internet fraudsters before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo
of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos.
The convicts: Oshunmuyiwa Kehinde Damilare; Rilwan Abiodun Ogunleye; Tanimowo Ismail
Olusegun; Akorede Arimiyau Idowu, Daniel Elijah, Lamina Hamzat Ajibola were prosecuted
separately on varying charges of fraudulent activities, to which they all pleaded guilty.
The charge against Damilare read: "That you, Oshunmuyiwa Kehinde Damilare, on or about
the 6th day of January 2019, at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division of the honourable
court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession an email correspondence, being email
chat between your email address bagafunds@gmail.com, and which email you knew contained
false information and committed an offence contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Law
of Lagos State, No. 11 of 2011."
The charge against Ogunleye read: "That you, Rilwan Abiodun Ogunleye, on or about the
1st of September, 2019 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this honourable
court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession email correspondence, being email
chat between your email address ogunseyerilwan@gmail.com, which email you know contained
false representations and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 318 of the
Criminal Law of Lagos State, No. 11, 2011."
Following their pleas of guilt, prosecution counsel, Anita Imo, urged the court to convict
the duo as charged.
Justice Taiwo convicted both defendants and sentenced them to six months imprisonment
with N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) option of fine, respectively. Aside the
prison terms, they also forfeited their mobile phones to the Federal Government.
Olusegun was prosecuted on a two-count charge, bordering on possession of documents,
containing false pretence.
One of the charges read: "That you, Tanimowo Ismail Olusegun, on or about the 16th of
June, 2020 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to
defraud, had in your possession a document titled "Louisiana Identification Card,"
wherein you falsely represented yourself to be one Myers Paula Co00lleen to an unsuspecting
victim, one Moyosore Abiola, that you were an agent of the United Nations with the support
of the World Bank to help America, Australia and Europe in a poverty eradication scheme
which pretence you knew or ought to have known to be false and committed an offence
contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011."
In view of his plea of guilt, prosecution counsel, Ayanfe Ogunsina urged the court to
convict, sentence him and order the forfeiture of the items recovered from him to the
federal government.
Justice Taiwo found him guilty and sentenced him to six months imprisonment with N250,000.00
(Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) option of fine. The convict additionally forfeited
his Lexus Salon car and mobile devices recovered from him to the Federal government.
Similarly, the judge convicted and sentenced Idowu to six months imprisonment. He was
prosecuted on one-count charge of possession of fraudulent documents.
The charge read: "That you, Akorede Arimiyau Idowu, on or about the 16th day of June, 2020
in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, had in
your possession a document, titled "Yahoo", which representations you knew or ought to have
known was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal
Law of Lagos State, 2011."
Upon his plea of guilt, prosecution counsel, S. O. Daji reviewed the facts of the case
and urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant as charged.
Justice Taiwo found him guilty of the offence and sentenced him to six months imprisonment
with N200, 000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) option of fine. He also ordered the forfeiture
of his mobile devices to the federal government.
Ajibola also earned a six months imprisonment from Justice Taiwo, following one-count charge
of possession of fraudulent document.
The charge read: "That you, Lamina Hamzat Ajibola, on or about the 11th day of June, 2020
in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this honourable court, with intent to defraud,
had in your possession a document containing false pretence titled “Fwd,” which you used for
"Dating scam," wherein you represented yourself as Lisa Lopez, which representations you knew
to be false and committed an offence contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Law of Lagos
State, 2011."
Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Godsent Akhanolu, reviewed the facts of
the case and urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Justice Taiwo found him guilty and sentenced him to six months imprisonment or N200,000.00
(Two Hundred Thousand Naira) option of fine. He also ordered the forfeiture of his mobile
devices to the Federal government.
Elijah also bagged six months imprisonment from Justice Taiwo following his prosecution on
two-count charges, bordering on possession of fraudulent documents.
One of the charges read: "That you, Daniel Elijah, on or about the 12th day of June, 2020
in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this honourable court, had in your possession
a "Univest Bank and Trust Co.Check" valued at $10,545.15 with serial No. 000065066 dated
25th January, 2017, purported to have emanated from Angelique Shine and sent to unsuspecting
members of the public, which document you knew to have contained false pretence and committed
an offence contrary to Section 318, Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011."
Upon his plea of guilt, prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima, reviewed the facts of the case and
urged the court to convict and sentence him and order the forfeiture of his Volkswagen car and
mobile devices to the federal government.
Justice Taiwo found him guilty of the offences and sentenced him to six months imprisonment
with N250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) option of a fine. Additionally, he
ordered the forfeiture of his car and mobile devices to the Federal government.
six-internet-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-in-lagos
****************************************************
7 JUL 2020
Court Jails Fraudster For Impersonation In Ibadan
Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Ibadan has sentenced an internet
fraudster, Hammed Lawal to three months imprisonment after finding him guilty of
impersonation in a criminal charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office.
The offence runs contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition,
Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the
same Act.
Lawal's fate was sealed on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 when the judge held that the
Commission successfully proved a case of impersonation of one Joy Williams
against him.
Following the defendant's guilty plea, EFCC’s Counsel, Babatunde Sonoiki, prayed
the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Apart from the three months jail term, the judge also ordered that the convict restitute
the sum of $500 (Five Hundred United States Dollars ) to his victim, one Mantonia Duncan,
and to forfeit his Apple iPhone X to the Federal government.
The press release includes a photo:
court-jails-fraudster
*******************************************
3 JUL 2020
Here are further developments in the "Hushpuppi" case, which
is all over the US news today. See our News from 18 and 10 JUN 2020
(scroll down) for earlier news on this matter. This particular
article below is from The Daily Beast, and it was reprinted in
Yahoo News and elsewhere:
The Nigerian Email Scammer Who Stole Millions From Premier League Club,
NY Law Firm, Banks'THE BILLIONAIRE GUCCI MASTER'He went by the name Ray Hushpuppi and he made no secret of his extraordinary fortune.
by Rachel Olding
Breaking News Editor
Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, who went by the name Ray Hushpuppi, made no secret of his extraordinary wealth.
On an Instagram account with 2.3 million followers, he posted photos of himself dripping in high-end
watches, wearing robes with his name emblazoned on the back, and driving a $300,000 Mercedes or a white
Rolls Royce Cullinan with the hashtag #AllMine.
He took private jets to Paris, shopped at Gucci and Louis Vuitton, and indulged in cakes depicting
himself surrounded by Fendi bags. His address was 1706 Palazzo Versace in Dubai.
On Snapchat, under the username "hushpuppi5," he called himself "The Billionaire Gucci Master!!!"
Abbas claimed to be a real estate developer. But his wealth was instead the result of running elaborate
email scams and hacking schemes, U.S. federal prosecutors argue—a rare example of a Nigerian email scam
that actually fooled major companies into handing over millions.
"The FBI’s investigation has revealed that Abbas finances this opulent lifestyle through crime," FBI
Special Agent Andrew Innocenti wrote in a lengthy arrest affidavit, filed in the District Court for
the Central District of California on Thursday.
Abbas, 37, was arrested when he arrived in Chicago from Dubai on Thursday night. He faces criminal
charges for being the leader of a transnational network that allegedly conspired to launder hundreds
of millions of dollars through email scams and other schemes, some of which targeted a New York law
firm, a foreign bank and an English Premier League soccer club.
Abbas and a small group of co-conspirators allegedly had a network of "money mules": that they used
to carry out the email scams and then launder money through a slew of foreign bank accounts. The group
would usually hack into a business' email account and either block or redirect emails, according to
the FBI. They would then use the hacked email account to trick a victim or a company into sending money
to them, often changing bank transfer information by just one or two numbers.
However, when one member was arrested in October, 2019, shortly after a New York law firm was duped
into wiring almost $1 million, investigators obtained a search warrant to go through his iPhone and
found messages that blew open the inner workings of the group.
Abbas had allegedly tricked one of the law firm's paralegals into wiring $922,857, intended for a
client's real estate refinancing, to a Chase Bank account controlled by Abbas. The paralegal emailed
a Citizens Bank email address to verify instructions for the wire transfer but it was a spoof email
address set up by Abbas.
About half the amount was instantly wired to a Canadian bank account and images of the wire transfer
were shared between the group.
"Did the big hit?" one group member texted, according to excerpts in the affidavit. "Yessir," another
replied.
In another instance, a foreign bank was defrauded $14.7 million in Feb. 2019 when the group gained
access to the bank’s computer network and sent fake SWIFT messages—utilizing software used by financial
institutions to sends payment orders to each other.
One co-conspirator texted Abbas to ask if he had any bank accounts that could take large amounts of the
stolen money. Abbas responded with the details for Romanian, Bulgarian and U.S. bank accounts.
In one text message, the co-conspirator wrote: "my guy also deleted history logs at the bank so they
won't even c the transaction."
But the following day, the cyber-heist hit the news and the transfers didn’t reach Abbas' Romanian
account.
"Today they noticed and pressed a recall on it , it might show and block or never show," the co-conspirator
texted Abbas. "Look it hit the news."
Abbas replied: "damn."
The pair appeared undeterred. "Next one is in few weeks will let U know when it’s ready. to bad they caught
on or it would been a nice payout," he wrote to Abbas.
In March, the group discussed how they could launder £100 million (about $124 million) from an unnamed English
Premier League Club but it's not clear what happened to the money.
At one point, the group were making $1 million to $5 million through a scam once or twice a week.
"This was a challenging case, one that spanned international boundaries, traditional financial systems and
the digital sphere," said Jesse Baker, a Secret Service agent in the Los Angles Field Office.
Abbas was expelled from the United Arab Emirates, for reasons that were unclear, and is expected to be
transferred from Chicago to Los Angeles in the coming weeks. He did not yet have a lawyer appointed.
The srticle has several photos:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/nigerian-email-scammer-ray-hushpuppi-defrauded-millions-from-epl-club-ny-law-firm-feds-say?ref=home
Here is a link to the arrest affadvit for Hushpuppi (Abbas) filed in the
United States District Court for the Central District of Caliofirnia:
Hushpuppi Arrest Affadavit
Here is a link to an NBC News article (via Yahoo News) by David Ingram on the Hushpuppi case,
which includes photos:
NBC News on Hushpuppi
Readers will recall that when our friends at Ultrascan AGI sent in our initial
report from PM News on this case, posted 10 JUN 2020, they commented that the Hushpuppi
arrest concerns an established 419er who traveled the world. They believe he was successful
working 419 from Malaysia, and that he also may be connected with funding Boko Haram in
collaboration with several Nigerian high level officials.
*****************************************
2 JUL 2020
From The Guardian, a Nigerian newspaper, via Chuck Odili's
Nigeriaworld:
Dubai Police extradite Hushpuppi, Woodberry to US
Dubai Police Thursday said it has extradited Nigerian fraudster Ramon Abbas, popularly
known as Hushpuppi, to the United States.
Also extradited was Olalekan Jacob Ponle popularly known as Woodbery.
Both men were arrested by Dubai police last month for defrauding over 1.9 million people,
majority of them, reports say, were Americans.
"The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Christopher Wray has praised
the exceptional efforts exerted by the United Arab Emirate, represented by the Dubai Police
General HQ, in combating transnational organised cybercrime including the recent arrest
of Raymond Igbalode Abbas, known as "Hushpuppi" and Olalekan Jacob Ponle aka "Woodberry"
who were taken down in operation "Fox Hunt 2"," Dubai Police said on Thursday.
"Mr Wray also extended his appreciations to Dubai Police for their cooperation in extraditing
the wanted criminals, who committed money-laundering and multiple cybercrimes, to the United
States."
Their arrest in an operation codenamed Fox Hunt 2 came after about four months of painstaking
investigations into their activities., during which their social media activities were monitored0
by the highly trained police unit.
The video posted by the Dubai Media Office said their police were able to track the locations
of the suspected fraudsters using their social media activities.
Dubai Police said the raid resulted in the seizure of incriminating documents pertaining to
a well-planned international fraud worth Dh1.6 billion - N169 billion.
They were accused of leading an "international" online fraud network that was committing crimes
outside the UAE, including money-laundering, cyber fraud, hacking, criminal impersonating, scamming
individuals, banking fraud and identity theft.
"The team also seized more than AED 150 million ($40.9 million) in cash, 13 luxury cars with an
estimated value of AED 25 million ($6.8 million) obtained from fraud crimes, and confiscated 21
computer devices, 47 smartphones, 15 memory sticks, five hard disks containing 119,580 fraud files
as well as addresses of 1,926,400 victims", director of Dubai CID, Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf said.
In May, the United States Secret Service said in a memo that fraudsters were targeting American
states. Their operations, the Secret Service said, were traced to Nigeria.
A California-based cybersecurity firm Agari said on Tuesday, May 19, that "some if not all" of
those who committed the fraud are part of a Nigerian fraud group Scattered Canary.
The article includes photos:
Hushpuppi and Woodberry Extradited from Dubai to US
***************************************
2 JUL 2020
EFCC Arrests Three Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Edo
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Benin Zonal Office,
have arrested three suspected internet fraudsters.
The suspects, who were arrested following intelligence by the Commission, are David
Aguinede, Itua Benjamin and Daniel Oviasojie. They were arrested in their hide-out
in Ekpoma, Edo State.
Items recovered from them at the point of arrest include a Mercedes-Benz GLK 350,
laptop computers and mobile Phones.
The suspects have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon as
investigations are concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-three-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-edo
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2 JUL 2020
Court Convicts Three Fraudsters in Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured
the conviction of three internet fraudsters before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special
Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos.
One of the convicts, Adeluwoye Oluwaseun Idris was sentenced to 20 hours of community
service in the premises of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday,
July 1, 2020.
He was prosecuted on a two-count charge, bordering on possession of documents containing
false pretence.
One of the counts read: "That you, Adeluwoye Oluwaseun Idris, on or about the 13th day
of June, 2020 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent
to defraud, had in your possession a document containing false pretence titled "Google
Account," wherein you held yourself out as one Cynthia Joubert and thereby committed
an offence contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015."
He pleaded guilty to the charge, following which prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima,
reviewed the facts of the case and prayed the court to convict him as charged.
Earlier on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, the judge convicted and sentenced Onakoya Olajide,
to one month imprisonment with an option of 20 hours of community service at the EFCC
office. Similarly, he was prosecuted on a two-count charge, bordering on possession
of fraudulent documents.
One of the counts read: "That you, Onakoya Olajide, sometime in June 2020, at Ikeja,
within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, had in your
possession a document containing false pretences to wit: "Bank of America," which
document you knew to be false and committed an offence contrary to Section 318 of
the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015."
Following the defendant's guilty plea to the charges, prosecution counsel, S. O. Daji,
reviewed the facts of the case and prayed the court to convict him as charged.
Also convicted and sentenced by Justice Solebo few days ago is one Oluwafemi Paul, who
bagged three months imprisonment, with N50, 000 option of fine. The convict was prosecuted
on a two-count charge of possession of fraudulent documents.
One of the counts read: "That you, Oluwafemi Paul, on or about the 17th day of June
2020, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, had
in your possession a document titled "Internal Revenue Service" (Certificate of Cash
Grant), which representations you knew or ought to have known was false and thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015."
Following the guilty plea of the defendant, prosecution counsel, S. O. Daji, reviewed
the facts of the case and urged the court to convict him.
Justice Solebo convicted and sentenced him accordingly.
The press release includes photos:
court-convicts-three-fraudsters-in-lagos
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1 JUL 2020
EFCC Arraigns Alleged Internet Fraud Kingpin For $8.5m Scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Port Harcourt's zonal office on Tuesday,
June 30, 2020 arraigned one Onwuzuruike Ikenna Kingsley (aka Jeff Sikora), a self-styled
President/ Chief Executive Officer of United States-based Prime Trust Credit Union Bank
before Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers
State on an eight count charge bordering on conspiracy, impersonation, forgery, possession
of proceeds and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of Eight Million, Five
Hundred and Two Thousand Dollars ($8,502,000.00).
The offence contravenes Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related
Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
One of the counts read, "that you Onwuzuruike Ikenna Kingsley (a.k.a Jeff Sikora) on or
about the 28th day of December, 2019, at Umuahia, Abia State within the jurisdiction of
this honourable court with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of ($6,500,000.00) six
million, five hundred thousand United States Dollars through web transfer from one Mr. Selah
Elnagar Ali Ahmed, a citizen of the Arabic Republic of Egypt, with the pretence that he is
a beneficiary of inheritance funds in a fixed deposit account of Prime Trust Financial Bank,
USA, a pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1
(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under
Section 1 (3) of the same Act."
He pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to the defendant.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel M.T Iko asked the court for a short adjournment.
However, defence counsel, R.E. Wanogho informed the court of a pending application for the
bail of the defendant.
Iko, however, opposed the application on the grounds that he was only served the application
that same morning and needed time to study and respond to it.
Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter till July 3, 2020 for hearing and ordered that the defendant
be remanded in EFCC custody.
Kingsley ran into trouble following actionable intelligence received by the Commission on his
alleged fraudulent activities. This led to the arrest of the defendant on January 26, 2020 by
operatives of the EFCC at his residence along Uzuakoli Road, Umuahia, Abia State.
Investigations revealed that Kingsley falsely presented himself as one Jeff Sikora, President/CEO
of Prime Trust Credit Union Bank based in the United States of America, USA with the intent to
defraud his victims.
Using the forged Identity Card of the said Sikora, the defendant allegedly defrauded an Egyptian,
the sum of $6,500,000.00 on the pretext that he was a beneficiary of Inheritance Funds in a fixed
deposit account of Prime Trust Financial Bank.
The defendant also collected the sum of Two Thousand United States Dollars ($2,000) which was
transferred to him by his accomplice, one Obi Taxas (who is now at large) as part of his share
of the heist.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-arraigns-alleged-internet-fraud-kingpin-for-8-5m-scam
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30 JUN 2020
Court Jails Four Internet Fraudsters In Abeokuta
Justices Mohammed Abubakar and Ibrahim Watilat, of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun
State, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, convicted and sentenced four internet fraudsters, on a
different one count charges, bordering on impersonation, aiding and abetting of frauds.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, separately arraigned
the convicts on separate counts.
After the charges were read to the convicts, they pleaded guilty to their respective one-count
charges.
And upon their guilty pleas , prosecution counsels, Chidi Okoli and Sanusi Galadanchi, told
the court to convict them, accordingly.
The court convicted Lukeman Salami, Oludare Sunday Odufuye, Ibrahim Popoola and Waliu Popoola.
All the convicts were found guilty of impersonation, aiding and abetting and sentenced them
to various jail terms in criminal charges separately filed against them.
Justice Abubakar convicted and sentenced Waliu and Ibrahim to six months (6), imprisonment,
each with an option of N20, 000 fines.
Similarly, Justice Watilat convicted and sentenced Salami to four months (4), imprisonment
with an option of N100, 000 fines; while Odufuye, who was convicted for aiding and abetting,
was sentenced to eight months imprisonment with an option of N300, 000, fines.
The convicts are to forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria,
and also restitute sundry sums to their respective victims.
court-jails-four-internet-fraudsters-in-abeokuta
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30 JUN 2020
Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos has convicted
and sentenced two internet fraudsters, Oguntade Idowu and Oguntimehin Samuel to one year
imprisonment each.
The convicts were arraigned by the Lagos Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 on different count charges before the court. While
Idowu was arraigned on one-count charge bordering on possession of a car reasonably suspected
to have been stolen, Samuel was arraigned on two-count charges bordering on possession of
fraudulent documents.
The count-charge against Idowu read: "That you, Oguntade Idowu, sometime in 2019 in Lagos,
within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, had in your possession, Mercedes Benz C300,
reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained and which you do not give account to
the satisfaction of court as to how you came about it and committed an offence contrary to
Section 39 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015."
He pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, I.A. Mohammed, reviewed the facts of the matter
and prayed the court to convict him accordingly.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Dada found him guilty of the offence and sentenced him
to one year imprisonment.
The Judge also fined him the sum of N500, 000.00( Five Hundred Thousand Naira) in lieu
of the jail term and ordered him to forfeit the Mezcedes Benz C300 to the Federal Government.
One of the charges against Oguntimehin read: "That you, Oguntimehin Seyi Samuel, sometime
in June 2020, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, had in your possession
document containing false pretence titled “ptrapino6678@gmail.com”, wherein you solicited for
money on the internet as a white man by name Paul Trapino purportedly from Italy, which
representation you knew to be false and committed an offence contrary to Section 320 of
the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015."
He pleaded guilty to the charge.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, U.U. Buhari, reviewed the facts of the matter
and also urged the court to convict the defendant as charged.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Dada found him guilty of the offence and sentenced him
to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N100,000.00( One Hundred Thousand Naira )
The Judge also ordered the forfeiture of all that was recovered from the convict to the
Federal Government of Nigeria.
The press release includes photos:
court-jails-two-internet-fraudsters
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30 JUN 2020
Court Jails Man For Romance Scam
The Lagos Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured
the conviction and sentence of an internet fraudster, Nwokorie Valentine, to six months
imprisonment before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja,
Lagos.
The convict was arraigned on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, on one-count charge of possession
of documents containing false pretence.
One of the counts read: "That you, Nwokorie Valentine, sometime in 2020 in Lagos, within
the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession
fraudulent documents, where you fraudulently represented yourself as Kenzie Reeves, a white
lady and a porn star which were printed from your phone and email accounts, valsstiches@yahoo.com,
kenziererves@gmail.com, and val.nurokorie@gmail.com, representations you knew or ought to have
known to be fraudulent and committed an offence contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law
of Lagos State, 2015."
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel,
Franklin Ofoma, prayed the court to convict him accordingly.
Justice Dada found him guilty and sentenced him to six months imprisonment with an option
of N50, 000.00(Fifty Thousand Naira).
The press release includes a photo:
court-jails-man-for-romance-scam
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29 JUN 2020
Court Jails Six Yahoo Boys
The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on
Monday, June 29, 2020, secured the conviction of six internet fraudsters.
Five of the convicts: Josiah Olafuyi; Abdul-Salam Abubakar; Blessing Opeyemi Omoyajowo,
Bolaji John Alegbe and Olawale Ayorinde Abdulaliyu, were tried by Justice Patricia Ajoku
of the Federal High Court, Ibadan for fraudulent impersonation.
Abdulaliyu was sentenced to three months imprisonment; Olafuyi got four months; Abubakar
and Omoyajowo got six months each, while Alegbe bagged seven months jail term.
The sixth convict, Aremu Oluwatosin Akindele, was tried by Justice Mohammed Abubakar of
the Federal High Court, Abeokuta and sentenced to 11 months imprisonment, which takes
effect from September 1, 2019 when he was arrested.
Aside the prison terms, the convicts are to restitute their respective victims, through
the Federal Government the sums of money they defrauded them, as well as forfeit to the
government, all items recovered from them.
court-jails-six-yahoo-boys
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29 JUN 2020
EFCC Arrests CashNation Boss, 'Kashy' For Alleged Internet Fraud
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office,
have arrested one Babatunde Oyerinde Abidoun, a.k.a. Kashy, for his alleged involvement
in cyber crimes.
Abiodun, who is the owner of CashNation Ent. Ltd., a music record label, was arrested
recently at his residence in Lekki Conservative Estate, Lagos.
His arrest followed intelligence gathered over time about his suspicious lifestyle.
Abiodun, who shuttles between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, UAE, allegedly used
the proceeds of his fraudulent activities to fund his lavish lifestyle.
Investigations linked his fraudulent activities to his domestic staff, Thomas Aliu Akwu,
who confessed to having different accounts domiciled in UBA, Ecobank, GTB, Zenith Bank
and FCMB and also receiving money for his boss through the accounts.
Items recovered from the suspect at the point of arrest include a white 2013 Bentley
Continental and Mercedes Benz GLK 350.
The suspect will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-arrests-cashnation-boss-kashy-for-alleged-internet-fraud
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26 JUN 2020
Internet Fraudster Bags Nine Months in Osogbo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office, on Thursday,
June 25, 2020, secured the conviction of one Michael Temitope Owolabi, over internet-
related fraud.
Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel, of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, pronounced
Owolabi guilty of one-count amended charge of criminal impersonation and sentenced him to
nine months imprisonment.
Justice Ayo-Emmanuel stated that the convict contravened Section 22(2) (b) (ii) of the
Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2)
of the same Act.
Before his conviction, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charge filed against him when
he was first arraigned on November 27, 2019. He, however, pleaded guilty in a fresh arrangement.
After pleading guilty to the amended charge, prosecution counsel, Lanre Abdulresheed, urged
the court to convict him accordingly.
Justice Ayo-Emmanuel convicted Owolabi to nine months imprisonment with effect from October
14, 2019, when he was arrested.
The Judge also ordered him to return to his victim, the sum of $700 (Seven Hundred United
States of American Dollars) and to forfeit the items recovered from him to the Federal
Government of Nigeria.
internet-fraudster-bags-nine-months-in-osogbo
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26 JUN 2020
Court Jails Businessman for Impersonation in Abeokuta
Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday,
June 26, 2020, sentenced one Samod Oguntayo to three months imprisonment for criminal
impersonation.
The offence is contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (ii) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition,
Prevention Etc) Act, 2015, and punishable under Section 22 (2) of the same Act.
The 29-year old convict, who claimed to be a businessman, was prosecuted by the Ibadan
Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Apart from the prison term, Justice Abubakar also ordered Oguntayo to restitute the sum
of USD$650 (Six Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) to his victim, Cynthia Deison.
He equally forfeited his iPhone X to the federal government as proceeds of crime.
The press release includes a photo:
court-jails-businessman-for-impersonation-in-abeokuta
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26 JUN 2020
Appeal Court Upholds Fraudster's Six Years Jail Term
The Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, on Friday, June 26, 2020, upheld the six years jail
sentence handed one Olutope Oladipo after being convicted of stealing by Justice Mohammed
Owolabi of the Oyo State High Court on November 20, 2018.
Justice Simon Haruna Tsamani, who delivered the lead judgment on behalf of Justice Tijani
Abubakar, affirmed that the lower court's decision was consistent with the spirit and letter
of the law against the offence committed and, therefore, dismissed the appeal.
After running a full trial, Justice Owolabi had, in 2018, found Oladipo guilty of a four-count
charge bordering on stealing. The offence was contrary to Section 390 of the Criminal Code,
Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State.
The court also ordered him to restitute to his victim a sum of N10,499,600 (Ten Million,
Four Hundred and Ninety-Nine Thousand, Six Hundred Naira).
Dissatisfied with the judgment, Oladipo headed to the appeal court to challenge the verdict.
His hope of a reprieve was, however, dashed on Friday.
Oladipo's journey to prison started with a petition by a foreign-based complainant who alleged
that sometimes in May 2015 he was advised by the convict (his supposed spiritual adviser) to make
some investments in Nigeria and also pledged to manage same for him pending his return to the country.
According to him, between 2015 to 2016, he had sent a total of N16,050,000 to the convict for the
purchase of a landed property in Ibadan, establishment of a Gari Processing Plant and purchase of
a truck.
Oladipo, the petitioner further alleged, failed to carry out the investment plans, but rather
converted the money to personal use. The case was prosecuted by Ifeanyi Agwu and Sanusi Galadanchi.
The press release includes a photo:
appeal-court-upholds-fraudster-s-six-years-jail-term
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25 JUN 2020
EFCC Arrests Six Suspected Internet Fraudsters
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja Zonal Office, on Thursday,
June 25, 2020, arrested six suspected internet fraudsters for alleged involvement in
cyber crimes.
The arrest of the suspects was sequel to several intelligence garnered overtime about
their suspicious lifestyles.
They were arrested in the Dawaki model city estate, Abuja.
The suspects are Iyoriobhe Endurance, 20; Peter Uyebitame, 23; Emmanuel Akpobome, 23;
Samuel Odianose, 24, Basil Ezenwa, 24 and Dare Adegun, 24.
Items recovered from them include, one Mercedes Benz C350, 4 Matic, eight (8)
expensive phones and four laptops.
The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-six-suspected-internet-fraudsters
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23 JUN 2020
Court Jails Nine Internet Fraudsters
The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday,
June 23, 2020, secured the conviction of nine fraudsters. Five among them were jailed by
Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun, while the other four
were convicted and sentenced by Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan.
Convicted by Justice Taiwo for conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence are:
Samuel Adekunle Adebayo; Bimbo Bilewu, Odunayo Ibrahim and Funmibi Samuel.
Adebayo, Bilewu and Ibrahim were arraigned on seven-count charges by the EFCC, following
a petition filed by Professor Godwin Ekhaguere, alleging that the trio fraudulently obtained
the sum of N601,500 (Six Hundred and One Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) from him, while Samuel
was arraigned on one-count charge bordering on internet fraud of obtaining the sum of $1450
(One Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) from one Shanice Tryon.
The trio pleaded not guilty to the charge, but changed to a guilty plea upon re-arraignment
on Tuesday by the EFCC on two-count amended charges , prompting prosecution counsel, Sanusi
Galadanchi to pray the court for their conviction and sentence.
The judge pronounced them guilty and sentenced them to eight months imprisonment respectively
or three months of community service.
He further ordered that if any of the convicts opted for the community service, but fails
to appear or comes late on any day, the community service will be revoked and be replaced
with the eight months prison sentence, effective from the day of absenting or lack of punctuality.
Though the three convicts have restituted the sum of N601,500 (Six Hundred and One Thousand,
Five Hundred Naira) to the victim through the Federal Government, they also forfeited all
items recovered from them to the government.
On his own part, Samuel upon arraignment pleaded guilty to the one-count charge, following
which prosecution counsel, Lanre Abdulrasheed urged the court to convict and sentence him.
Samuel was found guilty and sentenced to six months in prison with effect from today,
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 or community service of three months.
He also restituted the sum of $1200 (One Thousand, Two Hundred United States Dollars) to
his victim and forfeited all items recovered from him to the government.
In the same vein, Justice Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, found Adekunle Hammed
Adejonwo; Michael Olanrewaju; Chima Emmanuel Nwahiri, Peter Fasuhanmi and Desmond Kenneth guilty
of internet-related offences.
Nwahiri and Fasuhanmi were convicted and sentenced to five months in prison with N20, 000
option of fine, while Adejonwo and Olarenwaju earned four months jail term, each with N20, 000
option of fine. Their jail terms take effect from March 12, 2020.
The fifth convict, Kenneth was sentenced to 11 months in prison with N20, 000 option of fine.
However, his term was backdated to August 27, 2019. While the convicts forfeited all items
recovered from them to the federal government, they also restituted sundry sums of money to
their respective victims. Chidi Okoli prosecuted the case.
court-jails-nine-internet-fraudsters
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22 JUN 2020
Court Jails Four Internet Fraudsters in Abeokuta
Justice Ibrahim Watilat of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State,
on Monday, June 22, 2020, jailed four internet fraudsters for criminal
impersonation.
The convicts: Wariz Akintunde; Moses Olamilekan Dosumu, Richard Adegbite
and Smith Enitan Adetayo were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal Office.
With all pleading guilty, the judge sentenced Akintunde and Adegbite to four
months in prison, with an option of N100,00 each effective from June 22, 2020.
Dosumu earned two months jail term with an option of N50,000, while Adetayo
was sentenced to five months in prison without an option of fine, effective
from June 22, 2020.
The judge further ordered Akintunde, Dosumu and Adetayo to restitute the sums
of $700, $375 and N39,000 to their respective victims through the Federal Government
of Nigeria.
Simon Ibekwute and Sanusi Galadanchi, prosecuted the matter for the EFCC.
court-jails-four-internet-fraudsters-in-abeokuta
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18 JUN 2020
Court Jails Internet Fraudster For Romance Scam
Justice Omolara Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan on Thursday,
June 18, 2020, convicted and sentenced one Femi Rufus Oginni to seven months
community service for impersonation and obtaining money by false pretences.
The 24-year-old, who claimed to be a student of Business Administration
in The Polytechnic, Ibadan, was prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Office of
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on two-count charges
of obtaining money and impersonation.
Specifically, he falsely represented himself as a woman in need of love
and luring two American men, Donni Robert and James Collins into paying
him money on several occasions in 2018 with a promise to each of them
of "building a future together."
Oginni pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting the EFCC counsel, Abdulrasheed
Suleiman to pray the court for his conviction and sentence.
He will carry out the seven months community service within the court’s premises
and restitute the sum of $500 (Five Hundred United States Dollars) to his victims,
through the government. Additionally, he forfeited his iPhone X and Nokia phone
to the federal government.
The press release includes a photo:
court-jails-internet-fraudster-for-romance-scam
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18 JUN 2020
Ray Hushpuppi Has A Case To Answer With EFCC
Nigerian most-wanted hacker, Ramoni Igbalode, alias Ray hushpuppy, recently arrested by the
International Police( Interpol) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation( FBI), has considerable
cases of cyber crimes being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC).
The Commission is familiar with grisly details of his money laundering transactions, involving
many high-profile cyber criminals facing trial in Nigeria.
The Commission is engaging with the FBI in tracing victims of his fraudulent transactions and other
fraudsters having direct involvement with him. Local cyber criminals with money laundering networks
with him, are also being investigated.
Hushpuppi was arrested on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 in United Arab Emirates in connection with
$35million ventilator scam.
ray-hushpuppi-has-a-case-to-answer-with-efcc
419 Coalition Note: There is more on this case and photos of Hushpuppi below in our 10 JUN 2020
news, just below, scroll down.
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17 JUN 2020
Five Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms, Another Arraigned in Osogbo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, have secured the
conviction of five internet fraudsters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
Four of the convicts, Oyeyinka Damilare Malik, Abdullahi Olanrewaju Owopade, Temitope Dare
Osanyintoba and Adedayo Oluwagbenro Ogunkoya, were convicted and sentenced on Tuesday, June
16, 2020 by Justices Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel and Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Osogbo,
Osun State, while the fifth, Afeez Dayo was convicted by Justice Lifu, today, Wednesday, June
17, 2020, after pleading guilty to an amended one-count charge of fraudulent impersonation,
contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015
and punishable under Section 22(3) of the same Act.
While prosecution counsel in the matter, Abdulrasheed Suleiman prayed the court to convict
and sentence the defendant accordingly, Justice Lifu fixed the sentence for June 23.
The previous four convicts also pleaded guilty to their one-count amended charge. While Malik
pleaded guilty to an amended lone charge of cyber stalking, contrary to Section 24 (1) (a) of
the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015; the remaining three pleaded same to
one-count charge of impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cyber Crimes
(Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015, prompting prosecution counsel, Shamsudden Bashir
to urge the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Ayo-Emmanuel convicted and sentenced Malik to six months in prison, while Owopade
was handed seven months.
In the same vein, Justice Lifu sentenced Osanyintoba to six months, while he handed seven
months to Ogunkoya.
The convicts are also to restitute to their victims, the sums of money they lost to the
fraudsters and to forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government.
In a similar development, the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Commission, today, Wednesday, June 17,
2020 arraigned one Timilehin Awojoodu before Justice Lifu. The 24-year-old cybercrime suspect,
who claimed to be a graduate of Business Administration of Federal Polythenic, Ede, Osun State,
was arraigned on a 16-count charge, bordering on obtaining money by false pretences and possession
of documents containing false pretences. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting prosecution
counsel Abdulrasheed Suleiman to pray the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in the
custody of Nigerian Correctional Centre.
However, the defence lawyer made an oral bail application, which was granted by the judge in
the sum of N20 million and two sureties in like sum. The sureties, the judge held, must be civil
servants not below Grade Level 14 in the Osun State or Federal Civil Service; and must be related
by blood to the defendant.
He further ordered that the defendant must report to the court registrar every fortnight, and to
be remanded in Nigerian Correctional Centre till he meets the bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned till June 30 for trial.
five-internet-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-another-arraigned-in-osogbo
There is another version of this press release, which includes photos, here:
five-internet-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-another-arraigned-in-osogbo-2
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17 JUN 2020
EFCC Arrests 16 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Ogun, Lagos
In yet another raid aimed at stamping out cybercrime in the country, operatives of the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office, have arrested suspected internet fraudsters,
otherwise known as "yahoo yahoo boys" in Ota, Ogun State, and Victoria Island, Lagos.
The suspected internet fraudsters arrested during the raid in Ota, Ogun State are Adeshina Michael;
Ayeni Emiloju; Odenigbo Anthony, Afolabi Gbenga and Oyibogbola David Seun.
Those arrested in Victoria Island, Lagos are Onothebor Edmond; Suuru Blessing; Ifedapo Opeyemi;
Samson Samuel, Oguntade Idowu, and Emmanuel Akinyemi.
Others are: Seyi Kazee; Sulaiman Toheed; Oduwale Oluwasesan, Adewoye Oluwasesan and Alex Abiodun.
Their arrest followed intelligence received about their alleged involvement in internet fraud.
Items recovered from the suspects include different brands of cars allegedly acquired from the
proceeds of fraudulent activities.
They would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-16-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-ogun-lagos
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17 JUN 2020
From Sahara Reporters, sent in by our friends at
Ultrascan AGI.
US Sanctions 6 Nigerian Cyber Criminals For Stealing $6m From US Businesses, Individuals -
The Nigerians targeted US businesses and individuals through deceptive global threats known as
business email compromise (BEC) and romance fraud
The Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, in a coordinated action with
the U.S. Department of Justice, on Tuesday, announced it had taken action against six Nigerian
nationals for allegedly conducting an elaborate scheme to steal over six million dollars from
vulnerable victims across the United States.
The department listed the accused as Richard Uzuh, Michael Olorunyomi, Alex Ogunshakin, Felix
Okpoh, Nnamdi Benson, and Abiola Kayode.
The Nigerians targeted US businesses and individuals through deceptive global threats known
as business email compromise (BEC) and romance fraud.
According to the State Department, American citizens lost over $6,000,000 due to these individuals'
BEC fraud schemes.
The Nigerians reportedly impersonated business executives, requested and received wire transfers
from legitimate business accounts.
In a statement posted on the US Department of State's official website and titled, "U.S. Sanctions
Nigerian Cyber Actors for Targeting U.S. Businesses and Individuals" the US dept said, "Technological
advancements that provide greater interconnectivity also offer greater opportunity for exploitation
by malicious actors who target at-risk Americans."
"Today, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury's Office
of Foreign Assets Control took action against six Nigerian nationals, pursuant to Executive Order 13694
as amended, for conducting an elaborate online scheme to steal more than $6 million from victims across
the United States."
"The six individuals designated today manipulated their victims to gain access to their sensitive
information and financial resources. The U.S. will not tolerate such gross misuse of technology."
"The United States will use all of the tools at our disposal to defend the American people and
businesses from malign actors that seek to target them, including cyber-enabled actors who prey
on vulnerable Americans and businesses."
"As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons
that are in the possession or control of U.S. persons or within or transiting the United States
are blocked, and U.S. persons generally are prohibited from dealing with them."
The article includes photos:
us-sanctions-6-nigerian-cyber-criminals-stealing-6m-us-businesses-individuals
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15 JUN 2020
EFCC Arrests Social Media Influencer, Four Others for Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office, has arrested five
alleged internet fraudsters, including one Adedamola Adewale, a self-acclaimed social media
influencer, for their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud.
The five suspects were apprehended in different areas of Lagos during a raid by operatives.
While Adewale, 20, and her accomplice, Lamina Hamzat Ajibola, were arrested at the Agungi
area of Lekki, Lagos State, the trio of Israel Onyebuchi, Emmanuel Olayode and Valentine
Nwokorie were picked up at the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-social-media-influencer-four-others-for-internet-fraud
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10 JUN 2020
From PM News, Nigeria, sent in by our friends at Ultrascan AGI.
Ultrascan added, to paraphrase, that the Hushpuppi arrest concerns an
established 419er that travelled the world. They believe he was successful
working 419 from Malaysia, and that he also may be connected with funding
Boko Haram in collaboration with several Nigerian high level officials.
Internet celebrity Hushpuppi reportedly arrested in Dubai
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Dubai-based flamboyant Nigerian Ray Hushpuppi has been reportedly arrested in Dubai
by International Police (Interpol) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over alleged
fraud.
According to unconfirmed reports, the Social Media celebrity was allegedly arrested alongside
his colleagues Mr Woodbery on the grounds of being fraud suspects.
They were allegedly involved in fraud and money laundering of over $100 million which was
supposed to be given to Native Americans during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
One report said the arrest was in connection with a scam over ventilators.
P.M.News has contacted Interpol UAE for confirmation of the arrest. It is still awaiting
a response.
Popular Nigerian controversial journalist, Kemi Olunloyo also claimed that Hushpuppi and
a close associate, Woodberry were apprehended on Tuesday in Dubai.
Hushpuppi, whose real name is Raymond Igbalodely, is known for his flamboyant lifestyle on
social media, who once shared on his Instagram handle how he was "invited by Fendi to dine
with a lot of amazing, strong societal giants and strong personalities".
He said he has always known that he was not created to be a champion in a local market.
So far, all has been quiet on Hushpuppi’s Instagram page.
The last time he made a post was on Sunday, when he dropped a message to those wishing his
downfall:
"May success and prosperity not be a “once upon a time” story in your life… Thank you lord
for the many blessings in my life. continue to shame those waiting for me to be shamed."
The article includes photos:
internet-celebrity-hushpuppi-reportedly-arrested-in-dubai
*************************************
10 JUN 2020
Court Jails 17 Yahoo Boys in Abeokuta, Three in Osogbo
The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured
the conviction of 17 internet fraudsters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital and three in
Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The 17 convicts, sentenced on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, to varying degrees of jail terms
for impersonation by Justices Mohammed Abubakar and Ibrahim Watilat of the Federal High Court,
Abeokuta, are: Olofuntuyi Ayofemi Ishola, Maja Toheeb, Laleye Olaoluwa, Janta Oluwafolabomi,
Ashaba Franklin Unuagbon, Daniel Stephen Temitope, Yusuf Ayuba, Malojuekun Oluwatobi and
Aladejobi Adeshola.
Others include: Faniyi Jamiu Olalekan, Adegbamigbe Oluwabiyi Emmanuel, Oni Temidayo Victor,
Ejiro Daniel, Kushimo Toheed, Olamilekan Adedeji, Adebanjo Olamide and Ikegbunam Chukwuemeka
Chidebube.
Justice Watilat convicted and sentenced Ishola to five months jail term; Toheeb and Olaoluwa
were handed three months each; Oluwafolabomi earned two months, while Unuagbon bagged one month
with an order to sign a bond at both Ibadan and Benin EFCC zonal offices to be of good conduct
henceforth.
Similarly, Temitope bagged six months imprisonment from Justice Abubakar, Adeshola got five
months; while he handed three months each to Ayuba, Oluwatobi, Olalekan, Emmanuel, Victor,
Daniel, Toheed, Adedeji, Olamide and Chidebube.
The convicts are to forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government, and also
restitute sundry sums of money to their respective victims.
The EFCC was represented in the matter by its legal team that comprised Oluwatinuwe Daramola,
Babatunde Sonoiki, Oyelakin Oyediran and Ifeanyi Agwu.
In the same vein, Justices Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel and Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court,
Osogbo, also today, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, convicted and sentenced Emmanuel Tolulope,
Al-Ameen Olaitan Adesayo and Omotayo Oyeleke to prison terms for internet-related offences.
Justice Ayo-Emmanuel pronounced Tolulope guilty of a one-count charge of criminal impersonation
filed against him on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, and handed him seven months imprisonment. The judge
had earlier on Tuesday, June 9, convicted Adesayo after finding him guilty of obtaining money by
false pretence; an offence that runs contrary to Section 1 (1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other
Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under the same act. He was sentenced to six months in prison
with effect from the date of his arrest and was ordered to restitute his victim, the sum of $250
(Two Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars), through the EFCC.
Justice Lifu handled Oyeleke’s matter. Upon arraignment on January 30, 2020, he pleaded not guilty
to the two-count charge preferred against him by the EFCC, thus setting the stage for his trial.
His fate was however, determined on Tuesday, June 9, when he was found guilty of amended one-count
charge of criminal impersonation and sentenced to nine months imprisonment.
Apart from the prison term, the court ordered him to restitute the sum of $1,200 (One Thousand and
Two Hundred United States Dollars) to his victim.
He also to forfeited his iPhone 8plus, an Infinix Hot phone and one low grade Nokia mobile phone
to the government.
court-jails-17-yahoo-boys-in-abeokuta-three-in-osogbo
419 Coalition: The court will assuredly follow up and make Sure that all these ordered
restitutions are remitted to the victims, and that the victims are indeed "made whole".
************************************************
9 JUN 2020
Nine Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms in Abeokuta
The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured
the conviction of nine internet fraudsters, before two different judges of the Federal High
Court, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The latest of the convictions, involved Toheeb Abdulrasheed and Chukwuebuka Isaac Dike, who
were sentenced by Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State
on Monday, June 8, 2020 for their involvement in internet-related fraud.
Dike, who claimed to be a 100-level Biochemistry student of the Federal University of Agriculture,
FUNAAB, was sentenced to three months in prison; while Abdulrasheed, a self-acclaimed graduate of
Business Administration from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta, bagged four months.
Their sentences followed the prayer of prosecution counsel, Abdulrasheed Suleiman for their
conviction after they pleaded guilty to their respective amended one-count charge.
Aside the prison sentences, the judge also ordered that Abdulrasheed restituted the sum of $600USD
(Six Hundred United States Dollars) to his victim, through the Federal Government of Nigeria, and
to also forfeit his iPhone 6 to the Federal Government. Dike on the other hand, was ordered to
restitute the sum of $500USD (Five Hundred United States Dollars) to his victim and ceded his
Gold iPhone 11 Pro Max and Rose Gold Infinix Hot 5 to the Federal Government.
Back to Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Justice Ibrahim Watilat of the same Federal High Court, Abeokuta
convicted and sentenced the trio of Tobiloba Oni, Paul Oluwadamilare Odole and Michael Oluwaseun
Jemiseye, having found them guilty of the criminal charges preferred against them by the Ibadan
Zonal Office of the Commission.
Oni was handed four months imprisonment; Jemiseye got three months with N120,000 option of fine,
while Odole got four months with equally N120,000 option of fine.
Apart from forfeiting all items recovered from them to the Federal Government, the convicts were
mandated to sign a pact with the EFCC to be of good behaviour and never to be involved in any form
of economic and financial crime within or outside the country and moreover, to always make themselves
available for participation in subsequent anti-corruption campaigns of the Commission.
Justice Watilat in the same vein, convicted three additional others for internet-related crimes. The
convicts: Favour Chinueze Ekeh, Kolade Nwachukwu and Sultan Adeniji Egbede were handed three months
imprisonment each with N100,000, N50,000 and N100,000 option of fine, respectively, which must be
paid within two days of the sentence or else, the prison term would apply.
Justice Abubarkar had on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, convicted Rotimi Quadri Akinlolu of involvement
in internet fraud. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment with effect from March 6 when he
was arrested. Aside the jail term, he forfeited all items recovered from him to the Federal Government.
Apart from Suleiman, other prosecution counsels involved in the convictions include: Tunde Sonoiki,
Oyelakin Oyediran and Bashir Shamsuddeen.
nine-internet-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-in-abeokuta
**********************************************
1 JUN 2020
Court Jails Two For Impersonation
Justice Ibrahim Watilat of the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Monday,
June 1, 2020, slammed three months custodial sentence on two fraudsters – Owolabi Aderibigbe
and Habeeb Popoola Kareem.
The duo were found guilty of impersonation in a lone-count charge separately filed against
them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office.
They had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge in line with the conditions of plea bargain
arrangement struck with the Commission.
The court also ordered that two other suspects be remanded in the custody of the EFCC's Ibadan
zonal office till Tuesday, June 2, 2020, when their plea bargain agreements are expected to be
presented for consideration.
Like the two convicts, Kolade Nwachukwu and Ekeh Favour Chibueze were brought before the court
on Monday to answer for their alleged involvement in internet-related crimes.
While Aderibigbe and Kareem were arrested on March 2, 2020 during a raid on a location in Ilaro,
Ogun State; Nwachukwu and Chibueze were picked up on March 9, 2020 at Alabata area of Abeokuta,
the state capital.
After pleading guilty to the lone charge, prosecution counsel Bashir Shamsudeen prayed the court
to convict them accordingly, which earned them the sentence.
The judge also ordered that Aderibigbe forfeits the Lexus 350 car confiscated from him to the
Federal Government of Nigeria, while Kareem was ordered to restitute the sum of Two Thousand,
Five Hundred United States Dollars ($2,500USD) to his victim as well as forfeit his Iphone X max
to the government.
The press release includes photos:
court-jails-two-for-impersonation
419 Coalition Note: We are always glad to see orders of restitution to the victim,
and hope that will be done promptly, and supervised by the Court.
****************************************
29 MAY 2020
Court Jails Man One Year for $240,000 Romance Scam
Justice A.T. Mohammed of Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday
May 28, 2020 convicted and sentenced one Igweneme Moses(a.k.a. Griffith Doyle), to one year
imprisonment for conspiracy and money laundering.
The convict, who defrauded his victim, Chantai Meadery in February 2018 through a dating scam,
with a promise of "building a future together" in Switzerland, was arraigned by the Port Harcourt
Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on July 23, 2019 on a 4-count
charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and money laundering.
One of the counts reads: "That you Igweneme Moses and Igweneme Nkeiruka Blessing (now at large)
between the 13th and 26th March, 2018 directly took possession of the sum of $82,706,(Eight Two
Thousand, Seven Hundred and Six US Dollars) which you knew or reasonably ought to have known is
the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wilt: obtaining under false pretence from one Chantai Helene
Meadery and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 15(2) of Money
Laundering(Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As amended)". The defendant initially pleaded "not guilty".
Meanwhile, in the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the convict used the
pretext of fake emergency situations, to trick his victim in making a total of sixteen (16)
transfers amounting to Two Hundred and Forty Thousand, Seven Hundred Dollars ($240,700) to
the convict.
The convict received all the money through his UBA account number 30020624272, a domiciliary
joint account belonging to him and his daughter, Igweneme Nkeiruka Blessing. Further investigation
also revealed that any time the domiciliary account was credited, Moses transferred the funds
in United States dollars to a bureau de change operator who will then transfer the Naira equivalent
to his daughter via UBA Naira account No. 2064404530.
However, at the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday, Moses changed his plea to "guilty".
Upon his guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, T. M. Iko, urged the court to convict the
defendant as charged and order the restitution of the total sum of Two Hundred and Forty
Thousand US Dollars ($240,000) to the victim.
Justice Mohammed consequently convicted Moses and sentenced him to one year imprisonment and
ordered total restitution of the sum of Two Hundred and Forty Thousand US Dollars ($240,000)
to the victim.
The convict has so far returned the sum of One Hundred Thousand US Dollars (S100, 000)
to the victim.
court-jails-man-one-year-for-240-000-romance-scam
419 Coalition Note: We were glad to read that $100,000 has already been recovered and
repatriated to the victim, and hope that she will also receive the $140,000 balance
remaining, as ordered by the Court, in a timely manner.
******************************************
21 MAY 2020
Court Jails Fraudster Via Virtual Proceedings
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, secured the conviction
of an internet fraudster, Lawal Sholaru, who bagged six months imprisonment or a N400,000 (Four Hundred
Thousand Naira) option of fine for defrauding an American, Mr. David Geobel, of $1,200 in an online scam.
Sholaru was convicted by Justice Mojisola Dada of Ikeja Special Offences Court in a judgment, delivered
in a virtual proceeding.
The convict was arraigned on March 18, 2020 by the EFCC on one-count charge of obtaining money by false
pretence, to which he pleaded guilty.
Prosecution counsel, S.O. Daji while reviewing the facts of the case, told the court that the defendant
in his statement to the EFCC, confessed that he was into romance scam with the pseudo name, Alicia White,
a US national on Facebook and additionally posed as William Bale, a Major-General in the US Army,
to defraud his unsuspecting victims.
In addition to the prison term, Justice Dada ordered the convict's forfeiture of his Lexus ES 350 and
any other property recovered from him by the EFCC as proceed of crime to the federal government.
court-jails-fraudster-via-virtual-proceedings
*************************************
13 MAY 2020
Fraudster Bags One Year Jail Term in Osogbo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, on Tuesday,
May 12, 2020, secured a one year jail term of one Peter Adeleke in an internet fraud
suit filed against him.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court 2, Osogbo, Osun State, found Adeleke
guilty of a one-count amended charge of impersonation.
The convict was earlier arraigned on October 7, 2019 on a six-count charge, bordering
on obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud
and Other Fraud Related (Offences) Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same
Act; and for impersonation, contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section
22 (2) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015. He pleaded not guilty
to the charges.
Midway into his trial, Adeleke switched gear and approached the prosecution for a plea bargain.
Upon agreement on the plea bargain, the charge was amended and he was consequently re-arraigned
on a one-count amended charge of impersonation to which he pleaded guilty.
Following his guilty plea, prosecuting counsel, Shamsuddeen Bashir, prayed the court to accept
the terms of the plea bargain and convict him accordingly.
The presiding judge consequently found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to one year
imprisonment.
The judge also made a consequential order for the convict to restitute his victim the sum
of $USD450 (Four Hundred and Fifty United States of American Dollars), through the EFCC and
to forfeit his iPhone 6 handset to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The press release includes a photo:
fraudster-bags-one-year-jail-term-in-osogbo
419 Coalition note: Always glad to hear of restitution being made to the victim.
*********************************************
11 MAY 2020
EFCC Returns $4,040 to Brazilian Victim of Internet Fraud
Debora Moreira, a Brazilian victim of internet fraud, has acknowledged the receipt of the
sum of $4,040 which was recovered on her behalf by the Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Moreira lost the money to Emmanuel Tope, a convicted fraudster, in a romance scam. EFCC
commenced investigation of the scam in March 2019 and successfully recovered the money,
prosecuted and got the fraudster convicted.
The proceeds of crime was remitted into the victim’s account with Bank Itau S/A, Rua Ameirico
Brasiliense, through the Central Bank of Nigeria.
efcc-returns-4-040-to-brazilian-victim-of-internet-fraud
419 Coalition note: We are very glad the lady has been reunited with her
stolen funds, that's the sort of thing we love to see!
******************************************
8 MAY 2020
Six Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail terms in Lagos
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Wednesday, May 6, 2020, secured the
conviction and sentencing of six internet fraudsters before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of
the Special Offence Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State for possessing fraudulent documents.
The convicts: Oyeyemi Toheeb Abiodun, Kareem Abimbola, Omolade Mayowa Solomon, Ogunmefun
Fatai, Asiagwa Victory and Oguntimilehin Mayowa were arraigned separately on a one-count
charge, bordering on possession of fraudulent documents, contrary to Section 318 & 320
of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011 and 2015.
They were arrested on March 8, 2020 alongside other suspected internet fraudsters in the
Ikorodu suburb of Lagos State, following series of intelligence on their activities.
Upon arraignment, they pleaded guilty to the charge upon which prosecution counsel, Idris
A. Mohammed tendered documents that were admitted as evidence while reviewing the facts.
Justice Taiwo found them guilty and sentenced Oyeyemi Toheeb Abiodun, Kareem Abimbola,
Omolade Mayowa Solomon, Ogunmefun Fatai, Asiagwa Victory to six months imprisonment with
options of fine while Oguntimilehin Mayowa was sentenced to three months imprisonment
and N50, 000 option of fine.
The judge also ordered that their phones be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The press release includes photos:
six-internet-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-in-lagos
**********************************************
30 APR 2020
Internet Fraudsters Bag Two Years Each in Kaduna
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Office on April 29,
2020 secured the conviction of Idahosa Bobby and Aidamebor Israel for offences bordering
on internet fraud.
They were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Tukur of the State High Court sitting in Kaduna,
Kaduna State.
The convicts were each arraigned on separate one-count charge bordering on online fraud and
for possession of fraudulent documents.
Idahosa and Israel were arrested by a team of operatives attached to the Intelligence and
Special Operations Section, ISOS following intelligence report indicating their involvement
in cybercrime.
The charge against Bobby reads: "That you, Idahosa Bobby sometime between January to March
2020, in Kaduna, within the Kaduna Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, did attempt
to cheat by impersonating one Waseelah6 using her Instagram account and in such assumed
character, sent scam mails to unsuspecting citizens and you thereby committed an offence
contrary to Section 57 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State 2017 and punishable under
section 309 of the same Law."
The charge against Israel reads: "That you, Israel Aidamebor sometime in 2019 at Kaduna
within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court of Kaduna State, did fraudulently induce
one Mr Eyup, a Turkish national to disclose his full personal and security information
which he would not have done but for your deceit by impersonating one William Illumie,
an Illuminati agent via WhatsApp, a social media account and thereby committed an offence
contrary to and punishable under section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law No.5
of 2017."
They pleaded "guilty" as charged.
Upon their plea, counsel for the EFCC, E.K. Garba and M. Lawal reviewed the fact of the cases.
Having found them guilty, Justice Tukur, sentenced Bobby to two years in prison with an option
of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, and Israel to two years in prison with an
option of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine.
The press release includes photos:
internet-fraudsters-bag-two-years-each-in-kaduna
*********************************************
16 APR 2020
Fake 'Richard Abben' Bags Nine Months for N2m Internet Fraud
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos has convicted
and sentenced one Babatunde Rufai, also known as Richard Abben, to nine months in prison for
internet fraud.
The convict, who is the owner and promoter of "Wear It All Boutique" in Lekki, Lagos, was
arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, on March
5, 2020 on a three-count charge bordering on stealing and obtaining money by false pretence
to the tune of $5,000 (about N2million).
One of the counts reads: "That you, Babatunde Sodiq Rufai (a.k.a Richard Abben), on or about
the 12th of December 2007 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this honourable court,
with intent to defraud, used an email address richardabben@yahoo.com, wherein you represented
yourself as an American citizen carrying out contractual business in Africa and obtained the sum
of $5,000 (Five Thousand US Dollars), property of an unsuspecting citizen of the United States
of America, thereby committed and offence contrary to sections 278 (1),(2) and 285 (1) of Lagos
State, 2011."
The defendant pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against him by the EFCC.
Counsel for the EFCC, Hamed Yerima, further informed the court of a plea bargain agreement
entered with the defence team, and so urged the court to adopt same and sentence the defendant
based on the terms of the agreement.
Consequently, Justice Taiwo adopted the terms of the plea bargain and convicted the defendant
accordingly.
Delivering her judgement, Justice Taiwo held that: "I am mindful of this type of crime in our
society, which is giving our country a bad image all over the world."
"However, in view of the plea bargain agreement, the defendant is hereby sentenced to nine months
in prison, with an option of fine of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) to be paid to the account
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the office of the EFCC."
The Judge also ordered that the three exotic cars recovered from the convict be forfeited to the
Federal Government.
The press release includes photos:
fake-richard-abben-bags-nine-months-for-n2m-internet-fraud
**********************************************
1 APR 2020
Fake 'Foster Scolt', 9 Other Internet Fraudsters Jailed in Calabar
The Uyo zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, March 31,
2020, secured the conviction of 10 internet fraudsters brought before Justice Simon Amobeda of the
Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State.
The convicts are: Abasiama Essien Ekopimoh (aka Foster Scolt), Gabriel David, Ogon Godspower, Etim
Stephen, Kolade Shobayo Jonathan and Raphael Bassey.
Others are: Ahmed Adelakun, Mbang Prince Peter, Nnamdi Ogana, and Edafe Matthew.
They were arrested on March 11, 2020, at various locations in Calabar, Cross River State.
During questioning, the convicts confessed that they specialized in sourcing for their victims on
Facebook and Instagram under the false pretence that they were United States military personnel on
foreign mission, who had difficulty accessing their funds. They then make their victims give them
gift cards which they change to Bitcoin and eventually to Naira.
They were each arraigned on separate one-count charge to which they pleaded "guilty".
The prosecuting counsels, Usman Shehu and Adebayo Soares then prayed the court to convict and
sentence them accordingly.
Thus, Justice Amobeda convicted and sentenced Etim, Jonathan and Bassey to 12 months imprisonment
each with an option of fine of N1,500,000.00 each, while Godspower and Edafe were sentenced to six
months imprisonment each with an option of fine of N50,000.00 each.
Adelakun was sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of fine of N700,000.00, while David
got six months imprisonment with an option of fine of N100,000.00.
Ogana, Mbang and Ekopimoh all got 12 months imprisonment each with an option of fine of N700,000.00,
N100,000.00 and N500,000.00 respectively.
The court also ordered that their prison sentence will count from the date of their arrest.
One of the seperate counts reads: "That you, Abasiama Essien Ekopimoh (alias Foster Scolt) on or
about the 11th day of March 2020 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court with
intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently impersonated and presented
yourself as Foster Scolt (a citizen of Germany) to Wendy Carter on a social media platform (Facebook)
and obtained redeemable steam cards worth three hundred dollars ($300) which you redeemed and converted
to cash and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (a) & (b) of the Cyber Crime
(Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act."
fake-foster-scolt-9-other-internet-fraudsters-jailed-in-calabar
***********************************************
25 MAR 2020
Ultrascan Advanced Global Investigations, a Netherlands - based firm which has been studying
419 matters since the mid - 1990's, in 2020 completed an interesting study and commentary on
the nexus of Nigerian organized crime, corruption, and terrorist activity. Here is a link to that study:
2020 Nigeria The Split.
*********************************************
25 MAR 2020
Court Convicts Six Internet Fraudsters in Lagos
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, on March 23, 2020
secured the conviction of Osibajo Oluwamuyiwa, Jimoh Damilola Qudus and Salaudeen Ismail
for offences bordering on internet fraud.
They were arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting
in Ikeja, Lagos. Osibajo and Salaudeen were arraigned on a separate three-count charge, while
Jimoh was arraigned on a separate one-count charge all for being in "possession of fraudulent
documents."
One of the charges reads: "That you, Osibajo David Oluwamuyiwa (aka Michael Morris) on or
about 11th day of February, 2020 in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable
Court with intent to defraud had in your possession a document with email address msharley059@gmail.com
wherein you represented yourself as a female with name as Michael Morris, and sent messages online
to unsuspecting persons desirous of having a female friend, which documents you knew or ought to
have known having regard to the circumstances of the case, contains false pretence."
They pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC.
Upon their plea, counsel for the EFCC, Ahmed Yerima reviewed the facts of the cases.
Yerima told the court that the convicts were arrested following an intelligence report about
their fraudulent activities.
He told the court to convict and sentence the defendants as charged by the EFCC.
Justice Taiwo, convicted as charged and sentenced them to six months imprisonment each.
She, however, gave an "option of fine" of N300,000 each to Osibajo and Salaudeen, while
N100,000 fine was given to Qudus.
In a related development, Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja,
Lagos also convicted three internet fraudsters: Olalekan Yusuf Oyebanji, Tabiti Emmanuel and David
Emmanuel.
Two of the convicts were arraigned separately on a two-count charge, while David was arraigned
separately on a one-count charge.
The charge against David reads: "That you, David Emmanuel on or about the 8th day of March 2020,
in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud had in your possession
document titled "Google Account" which representations you knew or ought to have known to be false."
A charge against Tabiti reads: "That you, Tabiti Bolarinwa Emmanuel on or about the 8th day of March,
2020 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud had in your possession
document titled "Gmail-fwd; Lotto format from start boy" which representations you knew or ought to have
known to be false."
They pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against them.
Upon the plea, counsels for the EFCC, Abbas Mohammad and Samuel Daji urged the court to allow them
review the facts of the case.
However, Justice Solebo adjourned David's matter until May 19, 2020 for review of facts of the
case, while Olalekan's matter was adjourned until May 20, 2020 for review of facts. Also, Tabiti's
matter was adjourned until May 18, 2020 for review of facts of the case.
They are therefore, to be sentenced at a later date.
court-convicts-six-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos
*********************************************
25 MAR 2020
EFCC Gets Conviction for Cyber-crime
The Kaduna zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today, March 25,
2020 secured the conviction of one Robert Sunday Olaoluwa who was convicted and sentenced by Justice
Z.B Abubakar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna State on a one count charge bordering
on Cybercrime.
His sojourn to jail began sometime on February 28, 2020, when he was arrested based on intelligence
received by the Intelligence and Special Operations Section, ISOS, of the Zonal Office which showed
that he had been defrauding unsuspecting members of the public, mainly job seekers, by using several
identities with different email addresses posing as foreigners.
Count one of the charge reads: "That you, Robert Sunday Olaoluwa 'M' sometime in February, 2020 in
Kaduna within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable court fraudulently impersonates one Anthony Newton
and you claimed to be one of the Human Resources Managers at TTEC with intent to gain advantage for
yourself and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 22(2) (b) of Cyber-crimes
(Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015."
He consequently pleaded not guilty to the one count charge and the prosecution counsel led by Deborah
Adamu-Eteh, urged the court to convict the accused accordingly.
Justice Abubakar, accordingly sentenced and convicted the accused person to one-year imprisonment
with an option of N300, 000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira). He is also to forfeit his Dell laptop
worth N60,000 (Sixty Thousand Naira) and an iphone 8plus worth N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty
Thousand Naira) being the instruments used in perpetrating the crime to the Federal Government.
It would be recalled that on February 29, 2020, operatives of the zonal office arrested the suspect
amongst others and whilst being interviewed confessed to the crime of using different identities to
defraud job seekers.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-gets-conviction-for-cyber-crime
******************************************
25 MAR 2020
EFCC Secures Conviction of Internet Fraudster
Justice Z.B. Abubakar of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna Wednesday, March 25, 2020
convicted and sentenced one internet fraudster, Obi Sobenna Jude, who was prosecuted by the
Kaduna Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Jude pleaded guilty to the one count amended charge bordering on computer related fraud and
Obtaining Money by False Pretences following a guilty plea.
His trouble began when on February 29, 2020 the intelligence and Special Operation Section, ISOS,
of the zone acted on an intelligence which indicated that the convict has been defrauding unsuspecting
members of the public mainly job seekers using different email addresses.
He was arrested at the New GRA, Bayan Gida Yerima Gyade, in Bauchi state where operatives of the
zonal office of the Commission.
Count one reads: "That you Obi Sobenna Jude sometime in February 2020 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction
of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Alex Miller whom you claimed to be an Interview
Manager at Teletec also known as TTEC with intent to gain advantage for yourself, obtained the sum of $70
(Seventy US Dollars) via an iTunes Gift Card from Rebouche of the United States of America and you thereby
committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22 (2)(b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition,
Prevention, etc) Act, 2015."
The defendant pleaded guilty to the one count charge when it was read to him.
Upon his guilty plea, counsel to the EFCC, P.C Onyeneho, urged the court to convict and sentence the
defendant accordingly, But A.A. Mohammed, counsel to the defendant, prayed the Court to temper justice
th mercy as his client was a first-time offender.
Justice Abubakar, in her ruling convicted Sobenna to one-year imprisonment with an option of a fine
of N300,000, the judge also ordered the convict to forfeit his HP Laptop worth N230,000 and one Samsung
S8 worth N110,000 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-secures-conviction-of-internet-fraudster
***************************************
20 MAR 2020
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspected Fraudsters in Enugu
The Enugu Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday
18th March, 2020 arrested 10 suspected internet fraudsters from some locations at Bricks Layout
and Thinkers Corner Enugu, Enugu State. Those arrested include: Anyadike Chinedu, Anyadike Obinna,
Ngoka Obinna, Nonso Mbah, Egbo Chigozie, Nwobi Benjamin, Nnabuike Akachukwu, Ede Chidera, Ogbe
Donald and Valentine Sunday Okereke.
According to intelligence report, they are involved in cyber/internet related activities and
living above their means with proceeds gotten from their numerous fraudulent activities.
Some of the items recovered from them include several sophisticated mobile phones, Dell,
Sony, Hp and Apple laptops; three Lexus ES 350 cars, Lexus Rx 350, Lexus GS 300 Saloon car;
an envelope containing several vehicle particulars, with other incriminating items. Meanwhile,
the suspects are still undergoing interrogations while devices intercepted from them are being
subjected to further forensic analysis after which they would be arraigned.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-10-suspected-fraudsters-in-enugu
**************************************
20 MAR 2020
Internet Fraudster Jailed Two Years
The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, presided by Justice Mojisola Dada on Friday,
March 20, 2020, convicted and sentenced one Lawal Azeez Olakunle to two years imprisonment on a
two-count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents.
The convict was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for his
involvement in internet fraud activities.
One of the charges reads: "That you Lawal Azeez Olakunle sometime in 2018 at Lagos, within the
Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, had in your possession an email wherein you represented
yourself as Vince Gill with email address john.tapia19700@gmail.com and sent same to sydavid66@gamil.com
advertising a part time business engagement in oil and gas petrol chemical firm which you know having
regards to the circumstance of the case that the document contains false pretence."
The convict pleaded guilty to the charges when read to him.
Upon the plea, prosecution counsel, Ekerumwem Anana reviewed the facts of the case before the court.
Reviewing the facts, Anana told the court that the convict was arrested following an intelligence
report of the activities of the convict.
He told the court that a car and an iphone7 were recovered from the convict.
Anana also told the court that the convict admitted to perpetrating the crime and that he wrote
a confessional statement to show he committed the offence.
The confessional statement and printed documents from the iPhone of the convict was rendered and
admitted in evidence.
Anana urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant as charged.
Justice Dada convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment and the sentence
is to run concurrently.
She ordered that the items recovered from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Dada however gave an "option of fine" of N1million to the convict.
internet-fraudster-jailed-two-years
****************************************
20 MAR 2020
Four Internet Fraudsters Jailed Six Months Each
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday,
March 19, 2020 convicted and sentenced Badrix Anuoluwapo Joshua, Ikpi Godfrey Nana, Ajayi
Damilola Leke and Lawal Olamide to six months imprisonment each for their involvement in
internet fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC arraigned the convicts on a one-count charge
each of "possession of fraudulent document".
One of the charges reads: "That you Badrix Anuoluwapo Joshua sometime in 2020, in Lagos within
the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession documents containing false pretence,
wherein you falsely represented yourself as "Joy Sarah" which you ought to have known that the said
documents contains false pretence."
Another charge reads: "That you Ajayi Damilola Leke (AKA HILLARY SCOTT, MATTHEW CURTIS, DONALD TRUBY),
on or about the 8th day of March, 2020 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had
in your possession a fraudulent document tilted: "Account Recovery Options" wherein you represented
yourself as Hillary Scott, Matthew Curtis and Donald Truby amongst other fraudulent names, with email
address hillary.scott535@yahoo.com, a pretence you knew was false." They all pleaded guilty. Upon their
plea, prosecution counsel, Franklin Ufoma, urged the court to allow him review the facts of their cases.
Franklin, reviewing the facts, told the court that following intelligence report, the convicts were
arrested amongst other syndicates in a hotel in Ikorodu, Lagos State, where they perpetrated their
internet fraudulent activities.
He further reviewed that two Nokia phones, a Samsung Galaxy phone, one IphoneX and one iPhone 7 were
recovered from the convicts and they all made confessional statements wherein they admitted committing
the offences.
Consequently, Frankiln urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants as charged. He also
prayed the court to forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government.
Justice Taiwo accordingly convicted and sentenced the defendants to six months each.
She also ordered the forfeiture of the items recovered from the convicts to the Federal Government
of Nigeria.
She however gave an "option of fine" of N200, 000 to Badrix Anuoluwapo Joshua, Ikpi Godfrey Nana and
Lawal Olamide but gave an "option of fine" of N250,000 to Ajayi Damilola Leke.
four-internet-fraudsters-jailed-six-months-each
*******************************************
20 MAR 2020
EFCC Docks Man for $39, 000 USD Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos zonal office, on Thursday, March 19, 2020
arraigned one Unigwe Charles Chidozie before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court
sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a six-count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents and
obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of $39, 000 (Thirty-Nine Thousand United States Dollars).
The defendant was alleged to have been involved in internet fraud activities and has defrauded many
foreigners of their monies.
One of the charges reads: "That you Unigwe Charles Chidozie (a.k.a. Bryan Matt) sometime in 2019 in
Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, presented
yourself to Mrs. Sari Prathaningrum a citizen of Indonesia, as Bryan Matt, a friend of one Capt. Jeff
purportedly serving American Navy and deceitfully obtained the sum of $30,000 (Thirty Thousand US Dollars)
from the said Mrs. Sari Prathaningrum, on the understanding that Capt. Jeff is in love with her and that
the said amount will be used for the payment of some loan which would be refunded immediately after your
return from a mission in South America, which pretence you knew was false."
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him by the EFCC.
In view of the plea, the prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima, asked the court for a trial date and prayed
the court to remand the defendant in correctional facility pending the outcome of the case.
The defence counsel, Richard Oma informed the court that he has filed and served the prosecution with
a bail application, and therefore urged the court to grant his client bail.
In response, prosecution counsel, Yerima admitted receiving the application but told the court that he
needed time to respond to the application as he was still within the time frame provided by law to respond
to the application.
Justice Taiwo, after listening to both parties, gave prosecution one week to respond to the application.
The matter was adjourned till March 25, 2020 for hearing of the application.
Justice Taiwo ordered the remand of the defendant in a correctional facility pending the hearing of the
bail application.
efcc-docks-man-for-39-000-usd-fraud
***************************************
20 MAR 2020
Court Convicts Two FBI Suspects, Four Others
The Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 19, 2020
secured the convictions of two FBI suspects and four others before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High
Court, Warri, Delta State for various offences bordering on impersonation, Internet fraud and operating
a vessel within Nigerian Waters without due registration and licence by appropriate authority.
One of the convict, Patrick Erakposhere Onajokpe, alias John Mark was arraigned on a two count charge of
fraudulently impersonating the identity of John Mark through which he defrauded unsuspecting American ladies.
One of the count reads: That you Chief Patrick Onajokpe (alias James Mark) Glory Agbare (at large) Alfred
Akpewe (at large) Elena Onah (at large) sometime between 2014 and 2015 in Warri within the jurisdiction of
this honourable court fraudulently impersonated the identity of one James Mark claiming to be a black American
working in deep sea off coast of taxes, USA, in your hush app account where you enticed unsuspecting American
ladies into romantic relationships online and in that process, obtained the aggregate sum of $878,489,24
from ladies and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrime
(prohibition prevention, ets) Act 2015 and punishable under section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act.
Upon his arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, Aso Larry Peters, prayed the court to convict and sentence
the defendant accordingly.
However, the defence counsel, Paul Ejiga, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant
was a first time offender and has become remorseful.
Justice Nwite convicted and sentenced Onajokpe to five years imprisonment, in the alternative, a fine of
N6, 000, 000 (Six Million Naira). He is also to forfeit all items recovered from him which include a Range
Rover Jeep, a Petroleum Filing Station, an uncompleted plaza and phones. Justice Nwite also ruled that the
properties be sold with the proceeds restituted to the victim of the crimes.
[The remainder of the article does not deal with 419 AFF crimes]
The press release includes photos:
court-convicts-two-fbi-suspects-four-others
419 Coalition note: We are glad the the court specifically ordered that the assets
recovered from the 419er will be liquidated, and the proceeds repatriated to his victims.
We trust that the EFCC will see to it that the victims receive the monies, and stand
accountable for that. This should be a standard requ9irement in all judgements in 419
cases in our view.
***********************************************
19 MAR 2020
EFCC Arraigns Six for Internet Fraud
Six internet fraudsters were on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 arraigned by the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office. They were arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo
of the Special Offences Court sitting in Lagos.
The defendants are: Adedayo Williams Khalim; Oyeyemi Toheeb Abiodun; Kareem Abimbola; Bakare Lolade
Lateef; Omolade Mayowa Solomon and Ojora Daniels.
The defendants, except one Opeyemi Toheed Abiodun were arraigned on a one-count separate charge
of same offence bordering on possession of fraudulent documents except.
Abiodun was arraigned on two counts. One of the charges reads: "That you Adedayo Williams Khalim
sometime in March, 2020 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court had in your possession
documents containing by false pretence, which you ought to have known that the said documents contains
false pretence."
Five of the defendants pleaded not guilty while Adedayo Williams Khalim pleaded guilty to the charge
preferred against him by the EFCC.
Upon the guilty plea of Adedayo, the prosecution counsel, Idris Mohammad asked the court for a date
to review the facts of the case and prayed the court to remand him in the Correctional facility.
However, prosecution counsel, Idris Mohammad asked the court for a trial date for the defendants who
pleaded not guilty and prayed the court to also remand them in correctional facility pending the outcome
of the case.
The defence counsels to the defendants who pleaded not guilty, T.A. Adeboye, Femi Aina, V. E. Amakri, D.O.
Ogunjumi and Z.S. Makinde informed the court that they have filed applications for bail on behalf of their
clients but are yet to serve the court and the prosecution.
They however prayed the court for a short date to allow them move the applications.
Justice Taiwo, after listening to both parties adjourned Khalim, Abimbola and Lateef's matter till
March 24, 2020 for hearing of bail applications and commencement of trial.
She also adjourned the matter of Daniels till March 23, 2020 for hearing of bail application while that
of Solomon was adjourned till April 1, 2020 for hearing of bail application.
Similarly, Abiodun's matter was adjourned till April 3, 2020 for hearing of bail application.
Consequently, Justice Taiwo ordered that all the defendants be remanded in Correctional facility.
efcc-arraigns-six-for-internet-fraud
****************************************
19 MAR 2020
Internet Fraudster Bags Nine Months Jail Term
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos zonal office, Wednesday, March 18, 2020
secured the conviction and sentencing of one Shobogun Olushola Emmanuel to nine months imprisonment
before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for his
involvement in internet fraud.
The convict was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents,
an offence contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
He however pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him by the EFCC.
The one- count charge reads: "That you Shobogun Olushola Emmanuel sometime in December, 2019 in Lagos
within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession documents containing false
pretence, wherein you falsely represented yourself as "Harry Watts", "Leigh Kellis", "Dale Cannon",
and "Jared Rowland" which you ought to have known that the said documents contains false pretence."
While reviewing the facts of the case, prosecution counsel, Idris Mohammad told the court that the
convict was arrested about a week ago after the Commission received an intelligence report on the
internet fraud activities of some individuals.
He further told the court that at the point of arrest, a Toyota Camry car with registration number
EKY 771 FJ and an iPhone Max were recovered from the convict.
The iPhone was analyzed in the forensic lap of the Commission and it was found that the defendant
operates an email containing a Rental Agreement Letter for internet fraud activities, Idris said.
The documents found in the iPhone were tendered and admitted in evidence.
In view of the reviewed facts, the prosecution counsel, Mohammad urged the court to convict and sentence
the defendant as charged by the EFCC.
Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced the defendant to nine months imprisonment.
She also ordered that the items recovered from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Justice Taiwo however gave the convict an option of fine for N250,000.
The press release includes a photo:
internet-fraudster-bags-nine-months-jail-term
**************************************
18 MAR 2020
EFCC Arrests 12 Internet Fraud Suspects in Ilorin
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Office has arrested 13 persons
for their alleged involvement in online fraud.
They are Babatunde Omiyale, Salau Olumide, Akinsanya Ridwan Olamide, Akinola Eniola, Bashir Abdulbasit,
Jide Owolabi, Kolade Balogun, Salawu Oluwadamilare, Akinola Opeyemi, Adewumi Johnson, Abiola Adedeji
and Salawu Victor.
They were arrested at locations within the Ilorin Metropolis based on intelligence reports gathered
by the EFCC over their fraudulent activities.
During interrogation they confessed to their shady activities online.
Several incriminating documents were printed from their mobile phones and the laptop computers recovered
from them.
They will soon be arraigned in Court.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-arrests-12-internet-fraud-suspects-in-ilorin
*******************************************
18 MAR 2020
EFCC Secures Conviction of Yahoo Boy
Justice C. N. Oji of the FCT, High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, convicted
and sentenced one internet fraudster, Ken Odiase alias Phillip Iowell who was prosecuted by the Abuja
Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Odiase aka Phillip Iowell who pleaded guilty was first arraigned on October 15, 2019 on a one count
charge bordering on computer related fraud and obtaining money by false pretense.
Following plea of guilt, the court convicted and sentenced him to a one-month imprisonment with an option
of a fine of N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and ordered him to forfeit all the proceeds
of crime to the Federal Government.
Ken was amongst the fraudsters arrested by the anti-graft agency on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at No 5
Arbe-Saibra Dantata Estate, Kubwa, Abuja, following intelligence. Items recovered during the raid included
mobile phones, laptop computers and a Mercedes C350 worth N3.5m (Three Million Five Hundred Naira) only.
Investigations revealed that Ken lured his victims mainly based in United States of America, USA, via a
Face book profile with the name: Sergeant Phillip Iowell under the pretense of being a military personnel
working with the USA Army on a mission in Syria.
He had successfully defrauded his victims of a total of $3,900; $2,000 from Lucinda Macaulay; $500 from Marie;
$800 from Katherine and $600 from Sara. The monies were wired to him through Western Union into his First Bank
account in Nigeria.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-secures-conviction-of-yahoo-boy
419 Coalition comment: How about the victims of this 419er? Why are the proceeds of his
crimes going to the Government of Nigeria? It is the money of his Victims that he stole....
This forfeiting of the proceeds of 419 crimes to the Goverment of Nigeria has got to stop.
Recovered monies and assets (after liquidation) need to be promptly repatriated to Victims
of 419. From a victim's point of view, this guy stole their money, and now the Government
of Nigeria is sort of re-stealing it..... 419 Coalition says - Send it Back.
****************************************
17 MAR 2020
Twelve Suspected Internet Fraudsters Arrested in Imo
The Port Harcourt Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested
12 suspected internet fraudsters in Ishuizo, Egbu in Owerri, Imo State.
The suspects are: Samuel Chimaobi, Alex Udodiri, Ejike Chikamso, Nwanchukwu Michael and Obialor Samson.
Others are: Chukwudi Leo Asoegbu, Michael Opara, Uzukwu Chibuike Princewill, Okeke Mac Donald,
Jonathan Chikwen Nature, Agu Emmanuel Ebere and Ikechi Lucky Obi.
They are among 23 persons apprehended in an early morning operation by the Commission on March 12, 2020.
However after careful screening, eleven suspects were released. Preliminary investigation has established
the involvement of the remaining 12 suspects in various internet scams ranging from love scam, Bitcoin
fraud, identity theft, trading scam, among others.
Items recovered from the suspects include 11 laptops, five android phones, four Nokia phones, one
Techno phone, three WIFI, two modems and a wrist watch.
The suspects will soon be arraigned in court.
The press release includes a photo:
twelve-suspected-internet-fraudsters-arrested-in-imo
*****************************************
16 MAR 2020
Suspected Internet Fraudsters Arrested in Imo
The Abuja Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested eight
suspected internet fraudsters at different locations within Owerri, Imo State.
The suspects were rounded up by the operatives of the Advance Fee Fraud Section, AFF of the Zone
following an intelligence report on the illegal activities of suspected cybercriminals in and around
Owerri city.
Several Smartphones of different models, laptop and two motor vehicles were recovered from the
suspects during the operation.
They will soon be arraigned in court.
The press release includes a photo:
suspected-internet-fraudsters-arrested-in-imo
*******************************************
13 MAR 2020
EFCC Nabs 12 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Akwa Ibom, Cross River
The Uyo zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested 12
suspected internet fraudsters in Calabar, Cross River State and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The suspects are: Ahmed Adelakun, Matthew Edafe, Chukwuma Edwin Chisom, Mbang Prince, Ogon
Godspower and Nnamdi Ogana.
Others are: Abasiama Essien, Phiona Ekok Osim, Gabriel David, Ugochukwu Onuabuchi, Raphael
Bassey and Etim Stephen.
Chisom was arrested at Ukpei street, off Abak road, Uyo while others were nabbed at various
locations including 110 Victory Way Extension, Satellite town in Calabar.
While admitting to the crime, the suspects during interrogation, availed operatives information
about how they operated.
Investigations showed that they were into various cybercrime activities such as, love scam,
online Bitcoin trading scam, identity theft, amongst others.
Their modus operandi include sourcing for victims in Facebook and Instagram and claiming to be
United States military personnel in other countries who could not access their money. They make
their victims give them gift cards which they change to Bitcoin and to naira.
Items recovered from them include: Toyota Matrix, Lexus, Toyota Camry, various sophisticated
phones and laptops.
They will soon be arraigned in court.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-nabs-12-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-akwa-ibom-cross-river
******************************************
13 MAR 2020
Exotic Cars, Gadgets Recovered from Internet Fraud Suspects in Enugu
The Enugu Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has recovered several
gadgets and exotic cars from 20 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in the state.
The arrest and recovery, which were effected between March 5 and 11, 2020 at Republic/Bricks Estates
and Premier layout respectively, was sequel to intelligence reports and surveillance carried out on them.
Reports reaching the Commission had indicated that the suspects who were obviously living above their
means were engaged in numerous fraudulent online activities.
Some of the items recovered from them believed to be proceeds of their illegal activities include
several mobile phones, two apple laptops, three HP laptops, white Toyota Venza, Toyota Avalon, Black
Lexus ES350, Lexus GX470 SUV, two Toyota Corolla cars, Range Rover, Dodge Charger with other incriminating
items.
The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation, with devices recovered from them being subjected
to forensic analysis, as they will soon be arraigned in court
The press release includes photos:
exotic-cars-gadgets-recovered-from-internet-fraud-suspects-in-enugu
**********************************************
13 MAR 2020
Operation Rewired: Four EFCC Officers Receive FBI Commendation in Kwara
Four officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Office, Kwara State,
have received "Certificate of Commendation" from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, in recognition
of their roles in the success of "Operation Rewired 2019", a joint field operation with the FBI to combat
the menace of cybercrime.
The recipients include, the Zonal Head, Mallam Isyaku Sharu; his second-in-command, Mr. Dare Folarin;
Head of Advance Fee Fraud, Mr. Olamide Sadiq and Mr. Sesan Ola of the Legal and Prosecution Department.
Presenting the Certificates, Ayotunde Awoyemi, Foreign Service National Investigator, who represented
Ahamdi Uche, legal attache of the FBI noted that they were commended "for their participation in operation
rewired 2019".
It will be recalled that the Ilorin Zonal Office of the EFCC last year secured the conviction of one
Joseph Oyediran, an internet fraudster wanted by the FBI.
The press release includes a photo:
operation-rewired-four-efcc-officers-receive-fbi-commendation-in-kwara
*******************************************
12 MAR 2020
EFCC Arrests 48 Internet Fraud Suspects in Ogun
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office, on March 12, 2020, arrested
48 suspected internet fraudsters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The suspects, many of whom claimed to be undergraduates, range between the ages of 18 and 28 years.
They were apprehended at locations around Alabata area of the ancient town, following actionable
intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related crimes.
Among the suspects are: Anwinilomo Tomisin, Ayeni Ifedapo, Melojuekun Oluwatobi, Adeyemo Stephen,
Gideon Achuka, David Mulero, Owolabi Abraham, Toheeb Olabanji, Teslim Kasali, Jide Abiodun Emmanuel,
Alli Emmanuel Oluwaseun, Adeniyi Sultan, Ejiro Daniel, Chima Emmanuel, Adejare Oyebajo, Dike Chukwuebuka,
Emeka Ikegbunam, Daniyi Tobiloba, Tomiwa Ibironke, Daniel Onnorom, Quadri Ayaniyi, Victor Solomon, Ayeni
Oluwatosin, Adegbenro Emmanuel, Abdulrauf Adam, Daniel Praise, Biyi Adegbamigbe, Adeyinka Ibrahim, Sadiq
Sanni, and Ibikunle Ajibola.
Others are: Stephen Matthew, Ayoola Ifekolade, Dapo Shobayo, Idowu Familusi, Ayodamola Fagoroye, Segun
Raheem, Fuhad Arowolo, Favour Ekeh, Akinlabi Royal, Kolade Nwachukwu, Kayinde Ajibike, Kunle Adejumo,
Matthew Adedotun, Adewunmi Samuel, Olusoji Fiyin, Olanrewaju Michael, Ola Ayomide and Dairo Emmanuel.
The early morning raid also led to recovery of valuable items, including three exotic cars, mobile
phones, laptops, and SIM cards, from the suspects.
They will soon be arraigned in court.
efcc-arrests-48-internet-fraud-suspects-in-ogun
****************************************
10 MAR 2020
38 EFCC Operatives Bag FBI Award
It was commendation galore for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as 38 operatives
of the Benin Zonal Office of the Commission on March 10, 2020 received Certificate of Recognition
from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI US Department of Justice.
Ayotunde Awoyemi, Foreign Service National Investigator, who presented the certificates to the officers,
on behalf of Uche Ahamdi and Heather Armstrong, Legal Attaché and Assistant Legal Attaché, respectively
said the commendation was in recognition of the critical roles the officers played in "Operation Rewired
2019", and their collaboration with FBI in combating the menace of business email compromise, BEC and
other cyber-crimes that constitute danger on an international scale.
A. H. Danmusa, PhD, Benin Zonal Head, who represented the Acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, said he
was delighted that such reputable organisation as the FBI acknowledges the contribution of officers
of the Commission.
"The award will no doubt spur the Commission to do more in tackling cybercrime and other forms of fraud,"
he said, as he called on the FBI to assist the Commission in capacity-building through training and provision
of equipment.
Tonpre Osegwina, a recipient of the award said she was elated to receive the award even as she sought
for more collaboration between the EFCC and the FBI.
Bello Attahiru, another recipient also expressed his happiness with the award.
"I feel highly honoured to be given this award and it is a wake-up call for me and my colleagues to
do more," he said.
The press release includes a photo:
38-efcc-operatives-bag-fbi-award
****************************************
10 MAR 2020
Exotic vehicles recovered from Internet Fraudster
The Abuja Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following intelligence
report has arrested one Kingsley Achor and 13 others for their alleged involvement in internet-related
fraud and other cybercrime activities.
The raid by the operatives of the Advance Fee Fraud Section, EFCC was carried out at about 9pm on March 7,
2020 at Jimmy Land Hotels situated along Abacha Road, Maraba Area, located at the outskirts of Abuja following
credible intelligence reports. The suspects were rounded up while they were relishing a lavish birthday party
in honour of Achor who engages in romance scam.
Among properties recovered from them include, exotic vehicles - Mercedes Benz CLA 250, Toyota Camry and
Toyota Sienna alongside various smart phones and laptops.
The press release includes photos:
exotic-vehicles-recovered-from-internet-fraudster
********************************************
10 MAR 2020
EFCC Docks Undergraduate who Posed as 'Ryan Murray' to Commit Internet Fraud
Justice E.A. Obile of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has
remanded Sunday Noble, a 25-year-old undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt,
at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre for impersonation and obtaining money by false
pretence.
The defendant was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Port
Harcourt's Zonal office, on March 10, 2020 on a four-count charge.
One of the counts reads: "That you, Sunday Deele Noble on or about the 13th day of February,
2019 within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did fraudulently obtained an iPhone 7
worth $319.84 USD with shipping cost of $14.69 USD through FedeEx Shippers from Julie Fink
and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other
Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act."
The defendant pleaded "not guilty" to the charges.
In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel E.G. Omeje urged the court to fix a date for
commencement of trial
However, defence counsel F.E. Enigwe made an oral orally application for the bail of the
defendant which was opposed by the prosecution
Justice Obile, thereafter, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Port Harcourt Correctional
Centre pending determination of bail application while the matter was adjourned until April 6, 2020.
Noble was arrested during a raid following actionable intelligence on his alleged fraudulent
activities.
Investigation showed that he presented himself as Ryan Murray, a Florida, United States-based
contractor on Facebook, and used the false identity to defraud his victims - Julie Fink and
Mary Real. Apart from the iPhone 7, Fink sent a total sum of $5,886.91 USD to the defendant.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-docks-undergraduate-who-posed-as-ryan-murray-to-commit-internet-fraud
******************************************
9 MAR 2020
EFCC Arraigns Man for $12,650 Internet Fraud
The Abuja Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on March 9, 2020,
arraigned one Mede Oghenerume (alias Benjamin David) on a five-count charge, bordering on obtaining
by false pretence and internet fraud to the tune of $12,650 (Twelve Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty
United States Dollars) before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
One of the counts reads: "That you, Mede Oghenerume (alias Benjamin David) sometime in 2017 to 2019,
at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Benjamin
David from Italy, through the use of Google Handout Accounts induced one Debby from United States
of America to deliver to you the sum of $4,500 United States Dollars through one Micheal Miller
and Roland Utho, which represents fee for your house bills, in the guise that you are in a romantic
relationship with her, a fact which you know is false and thereby committed an offence contrary
to section 22(b) (i) (ii) and punishable under section 22 (b) (iv) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition,
Prevention) Act 2015."
He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges.
Following his plea, counsel for the EFCC, Aisha Habib asked the court for a trial date "to enable
us prove our case”"
"We also want you to remand the defendants in Correctional Facility pending the hearing and
determination of this case," she added.
Defence counsel, Edward Iheok, however prayed Justice Nyako to grant his client bail.
Justice Nyako, thereafter, adjourned until June 10, 2020 to rule on the bail application, and
ordered the defendant to be remanded in EFCC custody.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-arraigns-man-for-12-650-internet-fraud
******************************************
9 MAR 2020
EFCC Arrests Hotelier, 79 Others in Lagos for Internet Fraud
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a 30-year-old
Oladimeji Olusegun Ogunfolaju, owner of Lakers Hotel and Lake County Entertainment in Lagos,
and 79 others for allegedly involving in internet fraud.
The hotel, alleged to be a haven for Internet fraudsters, is being guarded by armed security
men from three security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian
Navy.
The suspects were arrested during a sting operation on the hotel located at 29, Ebute-Igbogbo Road,
Ikorodu, Lagos on Saturday, March 7, 2020, following an intensive surveillance and intelligence
gathering by the Commission about their alleged criminal activities.
In his statement, Ogunfolaju stated that he built the hotel, which houses a night club and a strip
bar, from the proceeds of internet fraud in 2017.
About 60 of the suspects have volunteered useful information, leading to further investigation.
Some of the items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include exotic cars, jewelry,
mobile phones and some documents.
They will soon be arraigned in court.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-hotelier-79-others-in-lagos-for-internet-fraud
419 Coalition comment: We'd like to thank the EFCC for this operation, this is
the type of high profile thing we like to see. The assistance of the Nigerian Army,
Police,and Navy is also much appreciated. Many more of this type of operation, please.
********************************************
6 MAR 2020
EFCC Arrests 42 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ogun
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan zonal office on March 6, 2020,
arrested 42 youngsters for their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud.
The suspects, whose ages range between 18 and 33 years, were apprehended at different
locations in Ilaro, Ogun State, following actionable intelligence earlier received on
their alleged illegal activities.
The suspects are: Peter Fasuhan, Kareem Oladimeji, Adeleke Sodiq, Akinlolu Quadri, Popoola
Lukeman, Faniyi Jamiu, Joseph Elijah, Idowu Afolabi, Laleye Olaoluwa, Olabode Olasunkanmi,
Shoyola Joseph, Baura David, Janta Oluwafolabomi, Akintunde Wariz, Olukotun Abiodun, Kazeem
Popoola and Olaoye Akinyemi.
Others are: Adebanjo Olamide, Esiegbe Dare, Job Emmanuel, Idris Olarewaju, Bakare Sodiq,
Popoola Waliu, Popoola Ibrahim, Balogun Daniel, Adegbite Richard, Owolabi Aderibigbe, Oniyide
Benjamin, Sheye Oluwaseun, Enitan Babajide, Oguntayo Samud, Daramola Damilola, Adeniji Azeez,
Shobola Adeolu, Odunbaku Tunde, Olamilekan Adedeji, Maja Toheeb, Giwa Olajide, Tolu Yusuf,
Ashoregbabo Ayo, Akanbi Olamide and Adeosun Temitope.
Items recovered from them include eight exotic cars, mobile phones and laptops.
They will soon be arraigned in court.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-42-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-ogun
*********************************************
3 MAR 2020
Suspect Caught With Mini Coffin, As EFCC Arrests Six 'Yahoo Boys' In Ibadan
A 38-year-old suspected internet fraudster, Azeez Adebowale, has been arrested with a mini coffin
containing fetish materials found in his possession, when his house was raided by operatives of
the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on March 2, 2020.
Adebowale, who claimed to be using the coffin as a soap rack, was among six persons arrested by
operatives, following weeks of piecing together intelligence report on their alleged involvement
in internet fraud.
A lady, Toyinsola Bolumole, was among those picked up by operatives at locations around Oluyole
and Alao-Akala Estates of the ancient city.
Others are Ifelowo Ololade, Sonuyi Ayodeji, Folarin Oladele Olayinka and Aluko Olawale.
Items recovered from them include four cars, various brands of sophisticated phones and an
Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card.
The press release includes photos:
suspect-caught-with-mini-coffin-as-efcc-arrests-six-yahoo-boys-in-ibadan
*********************************************
3 MAR 2020
EFCC Nabs Foreign Job Scammers in Kaduna
Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
have arrested one Obi Sobenna Jude and Robert Sunday Olaoluwa, for defrauding unsuspecting
members of the public, through job scam, by posing as foreigners working for American companies
on the internet.
The intelligence report was received and acted on by the Intelligence and Special Operations
Section, ISOS, of the Kaduna zone. Upon receipt of the intel, operatives swung into action and
stormed the residence of the suspects on February 29, 2020, at New GRA, Bayan Gida Yerima Gyade,
Bauchi State where they were arrested.
Under cross-examination, they confessed to the fact that they had been using different techniques
to defraud their victims, principally through the website: snagajob.com (a supposed job advert platform),
where they posed as hiring managers of TTEC, reputable company in USA and paxful.com (another supposed
platform) for trading bitcoins.
A search executed at their residence, also led to the recovery of a Toyota Camry salon car, a Sumec
Firman Generator, two laptops (one HP and one Dell model), one iPhone 8+, one Samsung S8, one Tecno KC8,
one Tecno F3, one Vivo Y37 and 4 ATM cards.
Analysis of their emails, text messages, chats and calls further confirmed the intelligence report
as there were series of conversions between the suspects, their accomplices and victims with regards
to their heinous acts of defrauding members of the public while sending fake offer letters to their
victims.
They will soon be arraigned in court.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-nabs-foreign-job-scammers-in-kaduna
**********************************************
2 MAR 2020
Internet Fraudster Bags One Year
The Abuja Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the
conviction of Philip Utyo, for engaging in internet fraud, also known as yahoo yahoo.
Utyo was arraigned before Justice Modupe Osho' Adebiyi of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT High
Court, Gudu, on a one-count charge bordering on cybercrime.
Following the review of the case of the prosecution, which was led by H. M. Mohammed, Justice Adebiyi
on February 25, 2020, convicted him and sentenced to one year in prison with an option of N500,000.00
(Five Hundred Thousand Naira) as fine.
Counsel for the defence, David Amana, had pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy,
noting that the convict showed "great" remorse for his crime, having pleaded "guilty" to the charge,
and had agreed to forfeit all proceeds of his crime, including sophisticated electronic gadgets
to the Federal Government.
The press release includes a photo:
internet-fraudster-bags-one-year
****************************************
28 FEB 2020
EFCC Arrests Nine Suspected Internet Fraudsters in FCT
The Abuja Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, February
28, 2020, arrested nine suspected internet fraudsters at two different locations within the Abuja
metropolis.
The suspects namely: Daniel Archiobong, David Ikechukwu, Alex James, Williams Vincent, Sanni Lucas,
Ichado Victor O, Ubah Henry, Anifowoshe Femi and Akinseye Dipo, were rounded off in the early hours
of today.
The suspects who are between the ages of 21 and 25, include some graduates, students of Oduduwa
University, Osun State, and National Youth Service Corps member.
Their arrest was sequel to intelligence reports received by the Cybercrime Section of the EFCC.
Some of the suspects owned up to their crimes during interrogation, which include: identity theft,
romance scam and online bitcoin trading scam, among others.
Information gathered from the suspects shows that they prowl social media platforms, such as
Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, from where they dupe unsuspecting Nigerians and oversea victims.
Items recovered from them include Toyota Venza, Lexus and Mercedes Benz cars, mobile phones
and laptops.
One of the suspects admitted that the vehicles were proceeds of the cybercrime.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigation are concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-nine-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-fct
******************************************
27 FEB 2020
Three Internet Fraudsters Plead Guilty in Ilorin
Three suspected internet fraudsters facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission ( EFCC) Ilorin Zonal Office have pleaded guilty before Justice Adenike Akinpelu
of Kwara State High Court, Ilorin to the criminal charges levelled against them.
The defendants, namely: Olopade Oladimeji Solomon, Atanda Femi Benjamin and Atoyebi Samson
are being prosecuted on separate charges.
The charge against Atanda reads: "That you, Atanda Femi Benjamin ( alias Federer Abril), sometime
in December, 2018, at ilorin, within the judicial division of the Kwara State High Court, did attempt
to cheat by impersonation, when you pretended to be one Federer Abril to a white Caucasin vide Gmail
account: federerabril111@gamil.com and in that guise communicated with one Linda Richardson vide hangout
with Linda Richardson, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary
to Section 95 of the Penal Code and punishable Section 324 of the same Penal Code."
The charge against Atoyebi reads: "That you, Atoyebi Samson (a.k.a William Grover), sometime in
July, 2019, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did cheat by impersonation
when you pretended to be one William Grover a white female with Gmail account willamgrover017@gmail.com,
and fraudulently deceived Charles Wood an American citizen, to send $500.00 (Two Hundred Dollar) worth
of gift card after you made him believe you were a girl in love with him and you thereby committed an
offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Penal Code"
They all pleaded guilty to the charges, following which prosecuting counsels, Sesan Ola and Andrew
Akoja urged the court to convict them according.
Justice Akinpelu fixed March 17, 2020 for judgement and ordered that the defendants be remanded in
the custody of the EFCC.
The press release includes photos:
three-internet-fraudsters-plead-guilty-in-ilorin
*******************************************
26 FEB 2020
Female Undergraduate, Two Others Bag Seven Year Jail Terms in Enugu
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Office on Tuesday, February 24,
2020 secured the convictions of three undergraduates, namely: Cynthia Nwankwo Ifunanya (female),
22 years, Kingsley Omenazu 27 and Okorie Kosalachi Alex 29 years before Justice I Buba of Federal
High Court, Enugu, Enugu State on two separate count charges of internet fraud.
Justice Buba after reviewing the evidence against the convicts admitted that the prosecution
counsel, Eunice Vou Dalyop has proved her case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted and sentenced
Alex to three years imprisonment, while Ifunanya and Omenazu were handed two years imprisonment
respectively. The threesome was, however, given N2 million (Two Million Naira) option of fine each.
Justice Buba, further ruled that all the items recovered from the convicts by the EFCC should be
forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The convicts including the lady were arrested by
the EFCC at Airport View Estate Thinkers Corner, Enugu State following several calls by the residents
to the increasing fraudulent activities of the convicts in the area.
Meanwhile, four of the originally suspected fraudsters arraigned on seperate two and three count
charges, namely: Valentine Chinaza , Wisdom Obioma, Godswill Ndubuisi. O and Anya Precious Junior
all pleaded not guilty as charged.
In view of the pleas the prosecution counsel, Eunice Dalyop asked for a trial date and urged the
court to remand them in Enugu Correctional Service.
Following the development, counsel to Godswill Ndubuisi and Anya Precious, N.F Anyaegbulam moved
a motion for the bail of his clients which was granted by the court.
Justice Buba, after hearing from both counsels, granted the duo bail in the sum of N20 million each,
two sureties in like sum with landed property. He ordered the property to be verified by the court
and the sureties to show means of living and passports of the sureties be deposited to the court.
Justice Buba further ordered the defendants to be remanded in correctional service pending the
perfection of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter till March 13, 2020 for trial.
Similarly, Valentine Chinaza and Wisdom Obioma were ordered to be remanded in correctional Service
while their case was adjourned till February 26, 2020 for hearing of their bail applications.
The press release includes photos:
female-undergraduate-two-others-bag-seven-year-jail-terms-in-enugu
**********************************************
26 FEB 2020
Man Bags 66 Years Imprisonment without Option of Fine for €55,000 Fraud in Delta
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Asaba has sentenced one Tonwerigha Oyintonbra Tombrown
to 66 years imprisonment without an option of fine for defrauding one Izabela Glogowska to the tune of
( €55,000) Fifty Five Thousand Euros under the pretext of paying it into her Perfect Money online account.
Tombrown had pleaded not guilty upon arraignment by the Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission in Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State, on November 9, 2016.
He was prosecuted on thirty-three count charge, bordering on impersonation and obtaining money by false
pretence. However, at the resumed hearing on the matter on February 13, 2020, he switched gear and pleaded
guilty to all the charges.
One of the charges reads: "That you Tonweirigha Oyintonbra Tombrown (alias Michael Freeman, Yoshinaka
corporation) on or about the 8th day of May 2015, at Warri, Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this
honourable court, with intent to defraud, did present yourself as one Michael Freeman a famous online
trader and obtained the sum of (€5800) Five Thousand Eight Hundred Euros from Izabela Glogwoska under
the false pretence that you were going to pay the said sum into Izabela Glogwoska’s Perfect Money account,
a pretence you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the
Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the said Act."
Prosecuting counsel, A.I Arogha reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict him accordingly.
Justice Dimgba convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment on each of the thirty three
count charges without an option of fine. The sentence is, however, to run concurrently from August 11, 2018,
the date the convict was taken into custody.
The judge further ruled that the EFCC should remit to the victim of the fraud, the sum of €30,475 (Thirty
Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy-five Euros, being part of the proceeds of crime, which the convict had
returned through the Commission in the course of investigation and prosecution of the case.
The press release includes a photo:
man-bags-66-years-imprisonment-without-option-of-fine-for-55-000-fraud-in-delta
419 Coalition comment: We are glad that Judge Dimgba specifically oredered the return of monies
seized from the 419er, and also that he specifically ordered that the EFCC carry out the repatriation
of those monies to the victim. We trust the repatriation of funds was done promptly.
*********************************************
21 FEB 2020
Public Should Disregard Emails on Contracts, Payments Linked to EFCC
The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to emails, purportedly
sent from info@efccnigeria.org to unsuspecting members of the public between February 16 and 18, 2020.
Members of the public should note that the said emails did not emanate from the Commission but rather
spoofing attempts by internet fraudsters to defraud unsuspecting victims of their hard earned money.
The EFCC does not commercialise the work it does and under no circumstances will it request for payments
from members of the public.
Petitions from members of the public are filed pro bono in court by the Commission and any financial
restitution ordered to be made to victims is sent directly to them.
We therefore, urge members of the public who are in receipt of any of such scam email, to kindly forward
it to the Commission to enable us investigate, trace and track down the masterminds.
public-should-disregard-emails-on-contracts-payments-linked-to-efcc
**********************************************
19 FEB 2020
Court Remands Suspected Internet Fraudster in Prison
Justice M. L. Abubakar of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has remanded
Samuel Francis (alias Mark Langley) in prison custody following his arraignment today, February 19, 2020
by the Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on three counts
of impersonation and possession of fake documents.
One of the count reads: "That you, Samuel Francis on or about 1st November, 2019 at Port Harcourt Rivers
State, within the Jurisdiction of this honourable Court with intent to defraud and in order to facilitate
the Commission of crime, did falsely presented yourself to one David Anthony Lucky Bailey as Mark Longely,
a Forex Trader from United States of America, contrary to Section 22 (3) of the Cybercrime Prohibition
Prevention etc Act 2015".
The defendant pleaded "not guilty" when the charge was read to him. In view of the plea, prosecuting
counsel, U. D Asue-Izibe prayed the court to fix a date for commencement of trial.
However, defence counsel A. U Ugorji asked for a short adjournment to enable him file an application
for the bail of the defendant.
Justice Abubakar ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Correctional Centre and adjourned the
matter till February 27, 2020 for consideration of bail application.
Francis's trouble started when the Commission received actionable intelligence on his alleged involvement
in internet fraud. After close surveillance, operatives of the Commission arrested the defendant at Worlu
Street, Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Investigation revealed that Francis operates several email accounts (marklangely01@gmail.com and
michealsamuceda19084@gmail.com), which he uses to defraud his victims.
The press release includes a photo:
court-remands-suspected-internet-fraudster-in-prison
**************************************
13 FEB 2020
EFCC Nabs Two Brothers, 13 others for Alleged Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Office on Thursday, February 13, 2020,
arrested two siblings - Olanrewaju Olatunji (19) and Femi Olatunji (29) – and thirteen others for
their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud.
The suspects were apprehended at Alafara area of Ibadan, Oyo State, following intelligence earlier
received on their alleged fraudulent activities.
The thirteen others, whose ages range between 16 and 48 years, are: Abiodun Ojo, Lawal Ahmed, Adedeji
Olatunbosun, Adeniyi Ramon, and Oladipupo Oluwatobilola.
Others are: Ayomide Olawale, Elegbede Wale, Victor Adaramoye, Timileyin Adeniran, Kunmi Joshua, Tawfeeq
Ibrahim, Funmbi Samuel and Adeyemo Yinka.
At the point of their arrest, three exotic cars, phones, laptops, international passports, Point of
Sale (POS) machine, and some incriminating documents were recovered from the suspects.
efcc-nabs-two-brothers-13-others-for-alleged-internet-fraud
****************************************
7 FEB 2020
Two Bag Two Years Each for Internet Fraud in Kwara
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Office has secured the conviction
of Oyedele Olamide and Abdulrahman Olamide for offences bordering on internet fraud.
They were arraigned before Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of a Kwara State High Court who at the end of
the trial found them guilty of the offences levelled against them by the EFCC.
The charge against Abdulrahman reads: "That you, Abdulrahman Mohammed Olamide (alias Fox Tim) on
or about the 28th day of September 2019, in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of
Kwara State, did cheat by personation, when you pretended to be Fox Tim and in that assumed character
received a $50 (Fifty Dollar) iTunes gift card through your email account foxtim908@gmail.com from
one Brian Kelly, an American citizen, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed
an offence contrary to section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under section 324 of the same
Panal Code."
The charge against Oyedele reads: "That you, Oyedele Olamide, (alias Kaithlyn Williams), between
the month of April and December 2019, in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court,
did attempt to cheat by personation, when you represented yourself as a white female named Kaithlyn
William's to one Damir Hodzic via your email address kaithlywilliams@gmail.com in other to induce
him to send you money/gift card, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed am
offence contrary to section 95 of the Penal Code and punishable under section 324 of the same Law."
They pleaded "guilty" to the charges.
Justice Oyinloye convicted and sentenced them to two years in prison each.
The press release includes photos:
two-bag-two-years-each-for-internet-fraud-in-kwara
*****************************************
7 FEB 2020
Man Jailed One Year For $5,000 Fraud
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offence court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos has sentenced
one Abdulrauf Alade Owolabi to one year imprisonment, with an option of N250,000( Two Hundred
and Fifty Thousand Naira), for possession of false documents and obtaining money by false
pretence to the tune of $5,000 (Five Thousand US Dollars).
The convict was arraigned on a two-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, on Thursday, February 6, 2020, following his arrest in connection to
a case reported against him during an operation tagged "Operation Rewired" between the Commission
and the Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI.
One of the counts reads: "That you, Abdulrauf Alade Owolabi, sometime in 2018 in Lagos, within
the jurisdiction of the court, and with intent to defraud, represented yourself as Courtney Lopez
and defrauded one John Howard, an American Citizen, an aggregate sum of $5,000. 00(Five Thousand
US Dollars) under the pretext that you are in love with him and made a promise of marriage,
a representation you knew to be fraud and committed an offence contrary to Sections 1 (3) of
the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No: 14 of 2006."
He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his guilty plea, and subsequent review of the facts of the case, the prosecution counsel,
M.K. Bashir, prayed the court to convict him accordingly.
The prosecution also prayed for an order of the court forfeiting the recovered assets to the victim.
Counsel to the defendant, however, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, saying his
client was a first-time offender.
Consequently, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment, with an
option of fine of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000.00).
The press release includes a photo:
man-jailed-one-year-for-5-000-fraud
****************************************
5 FEB 2020
EFCC Docks Man for Obtaining $4,500 in Love Scam
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one
Iyonsi Timeyin Timothy before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos,
on a two-count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents and obtaining money by false
pretence to the tune of $4,500.
One of the counts reads: "That you, Iyonsi Timeyin Timothy, sometime in September, 2019, in Lagos,
within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $4,500.00 (Four Thousand,
Five Hundred Dollars) from one Julia Zagorski under the false pretense to wit: "romance scam", which
pretence you knew to be false and committed an offence contrary to Sections 1 (1) (a)and 1 (3) of the
Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No: 14 of 2006."
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges following which prosecution counsel, K. Uduak, asked
the court for a trial date, and for the defendant be remanded in Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS),
facility.
However, defence counsel, Jolone Ikomi, prayed the court for an amendment of the charge, so that the
defendant could be charged under the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011. Ikomi also applied
that his client be granted bail.
Justice Solebo granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500,000.0 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira),
with one surety in like sum. The surety, the judge said, must be a verified resident within the jurisdiction
of the court. The case was adjourned till March 18, 2020, for commencement of trial.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-docks-man-for-obtaining-4-500-in-love-scam
********************************************
5 FEB 2020
EFCC Arrests Nine Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Lagos
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, have arrested
nine suspected Internet fraudsters in Lagos.
The suspects were arrested on February 5, 2020 in Magodo Phase 1 Estate, Lagos, following intelligence
reports received about their criminal activities.
Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include exotic cars, laptop computers,
telephones and several incriminating documents.
The suspects will soon be charged to court.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-arrests-nine-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos
********************************************
30 JAN 2020
EFCC Arrests Eleven Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Enugu
The Enugu Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, January 30,
2020 arrested eleven suspected fraudsters. One of the fraudster, a female, was arrested at Airport
View Estate, Thinkers Corner, Enugu.
The arrest, which was the first by the zone in the new year, followed several intelligence report on
the ostentatious lifestyles of the suspects.
On the strength of the intelligence, operatives of the Commission, with duly signed search warrant,
raided about four building within the same vicinity where they recovered several mobile phones, lap
tops, computers, several MTN Sim packs, a Toyota Venza, Mercedes C350, two Lexus Jeeps, one GLK 350
Benz, two ES350 Lexus, a Mustang 455FA car and other incriminating items.
Interim investigation revealed that the suspected female fraudster was discovered to have a software
in her phone with an instruction and format used in duping gullible individuals.
Further analysis is being carried out on items recovered from them and on their persons.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-eleven-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-enugu
*******************************************
29 JAN 2020
EFCC Arrests Landlord for Providing Shelter for 10 Internet Fraudsters
The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday,
January 29, 2020, arrested a 33-year-old landlord, Stanley Ejike Awam and 10 of his tenants,
who are suspected to be internet fraudsters hibernating in his house.
Awam was apprehended for allegedly providing shelter for the suspected internet fraudsters
while the 10 suspected internet fraudsters popularly known as Yahoo Boys were picked up at
different locations of the Ibadan metropolis following intelligence on their alleged illegal
activities.
The 10 suspected internet fraudsters arrested at the premises of the six-flat bungalow of
the landlord are: Henry Echefu, Usman Mustapha, Adeleke David, Olafuyi Josiah, Shorefire Ayokunmi,
Riliwan Ajao, Abulsalam Abubakar and Lukeman Salam. Others are Adeyemo Muktarh and Bashir Mohammed.
Muktarh and Mohammed were picked up at Eleyele and Old Bodija areas of the ancient city. Items
recovered from them include three exotic cars, laptops, mobile phones and land documents.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-landlord-for-providing-shelter-for-10-internet-fraudsters
419 Coalition comment: We found it interesting, and useful in countering 419 crimes,
that the owners and landlords of facilities housing 419ers can be charged with a crime
for harboring 419ers. We don't recall seeing this particular wrinkle before, and rather
like it, though perhaps the precedent will not hold up in the courts. In the US we doubt
it would, unless the landlord Knew the tenants were 419ers and aided and abetted their
operaetions. But then, we are not legal experts etc.
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29 JAN 2020
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Lagos
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, have
arrested 10 suspected Internet fraudsters in Lagos.
The suspects were arrested in Westwood Estate, Ajah, Lagos during a sting operation on Wednesday,
January 29, 2020, following intelligence report received by the Commission about their alleged
involvement in cyber crime.
Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include a car, laptops and mobile phones.
The suspects will soon be arraigned in court.
The press release includes a photo:
efcc-arrests-10-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos
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24 JAN 2020
Yahoo Yahoo Student Bags 13 Years in Ondo
Justice Folashade Olubanjo of the Federal High Court 1, Akure on Thursday, January 23, 2020
convicted Fisayo Adetoro, a final year Business Administration student of a private university
in Ondo State of impersonation, forgery and money laundering, and sentenced him to a total
of 13 years in prison with N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) option of fine.
Adetoro, who was said to be a first class student on 4.5 cumulative grade point aggregate (CGPA),
was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office on a on
a six-count charge, to which he pleaded not guilty to all.
The convict was found guilty of falsely representing himself to be one Bawa Mohammed Sanni, an
identity he used to defraud his victims of thousands of United States dollars.
With the same fake identity, he secured a Nigerian driver's licence and used the identity as well
to launder sums that ran into millions of naira.
The prosecution team of Dr. Ben Ubi and Sanusi Galadanchi, called five witnesses, including two victims
of his money laundering activities, to prove their case, while the accused called three witnesses.
Justice Adetoro found him guilty on four of the six charges, sentencing him to two years on count two,
three years each on counts three and four and five years on count six with N1,000,000 (One Million
Naira) option of fine. The jail terms are to run concurrently.
Justice Olubanjo, however, modified the sentence to a suspended six months community service, having
yielded to the application made by the defence counsel based on convict’s poor health, academic pursuit
and the fact that he had refunded all the money he fraudulently collected.
However, the suspended sentence would be revoked unless the convict observes the six months community
service without defaulting. According to the judge, if the convict misses one day of the six months
community service, the original sentence will take effect.
yahoo-yahoo-student-bags-13-years-in-ondo
419 Coalition note: The 419 Coalition has no problems with showing mercy to convicted
419ers, so long as their Victims are "made whole" as they apparently were in thie case.
In our experience, Victims of 419 are more interested in receiving their stolen funds
back than in draconian sentences for the thieves. Victims want punishment as well, yes,
but the Main Thing they want is their stolen monies recovered and promptly repatriated
to them.
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20 JAN 2020
EFCC Arrests 89 Yahoo Boys in Ibadan Night Club
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office at the weekend, arrested
89 suspected internet fraudsters at the popular 'Club 360,' located on Akala Expressway, Oluyole
Extension, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
In preparation for the late night operation, officers of the Commission had carried out series
of discreet surveillance on the nature of activities going on in the nightclub which established
that it was a hangout for fraudsters.
Aside the 89 arrested suspects, the raid led to the confiscation of scores of vehicles, laptops,
sophisticated phones and other items. The suspects are undergoing further interrogation
The press release includes photos:
efcc-arrests-89-yahoo-boys-in-ibadan-night-club
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17 JAN 2020
EFCC Nabs Wanted Fraud Suspect, Five others in Ilorin
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested six internet fraud suspects
that includes 22-year-old Sadiku Muniru Dolapo who has been on the Commission's wanted list.
They were picked up by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Commission.
Arrested with Dolapo are Atanda Femi Benjamin, Atoyebi Samson, Olapade Oladimeji Solomon, Amoo
Saheed and Lawal Opeyemi Mubarak. They were rounded up in the early hours of Thursday, January 16,
2020 close to Kwara State House of Assembly, Ilorin, the state capital, following intelligence.
The Suspects upon interrogation by the operatives of the Commission confessed to their involvements
in cyber crimes.
Items recovered from them include, three expensive automobiles, laptop computers and mobile phones.
They will soon be charged to Court.
The press release includes photos:
efcc-nabs-wanted-fraud-suspect-five-others-in-ilorin
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