Nigeria - 419 Coalition 2022 News on Nigerian Scam / 419 Operations

In early January 2022, the EFCC changed its domain name from efccnigeria.org (which it has been for many years) to efcc.gov.ng The effect of this is that any links To pages and articles on their website that use efccnigeria.org as the domain, do not work. This is a Kazillion of links to their site out in internet-land that no longer work. Either every single link to all of these articles and pages will have to be changed and updated to the new domain ( efcc.gov.ng ) by every single site or webpage which linked to the old domain ( efccnigeria.org ) OR the EFCC will have to make Every Single Page on its site accessible via BOTH the old and the new domains. In short, the two domains will have to be made universally equivalent, so that in effect, for all practical purposes, one is the same as the other. 419 Coalition knows this can be done, as we did it on our Own site when we changed our domain from home.rica.net/alphae/419coal to 419Coalition.org . To be blunt, so far the "rollout" of this new domain by the EFCC has been an absolute disaster for the agency, given that it has kaputed Many Thousands of links to the EFCC site internet-wide. We've told them this in no uncertain terms and have told them they need to Fix this problem quickly so that ALL the links - old domain and new domain - to their site and pages and articles therein Do work. We await developments..... but are not hopeful ***************************************************** 21 SEP 2022 Internet Fraudster Bags Five Years in Kaduna Justice Nasiru.U. Sadiq of the Kaduna State High Court has convicted and sentenced Monday Yakubu(a.k.a Tucka James) to five years imprisonment for cheating by impersonation. He was jailed on Tuesday, September 21, 2022 after pleading guilty to one- count amended charge, upon his arraignment by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The one-count amended charge reads: "That you, Monday Yakubu, Male, sometimes in February, 2022, in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated one Tucka James, a citizen of United States of America on Instagram and in such false identity engaged Dorothy Jackson on a romantic relationship and obtained the sum of $340 USD(Three Hundred and Forty United States of America Dollars) worth of gift cards, and you thereby committed cheating by impersonation, an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law, 2017 of Kaduna State and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law." The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him. Upon his plea of guilt, prosecution counsel, Matiyak .Y. John, prayed the court to convict the defendant accordingly while defence counsel, H.U. Obimba urged the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant is remorseful. Justice Sadiq thereafter convicted and sentenced Yakubu to five years imprisonment, with an option of fine of the sum of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira). He also forfeited his Iphone 11 to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: internet-fraudster-bags-five-years-in-kaduna ********************************** 20 SEP 2022 EFCC Arraigns Suspected Fraudster in Asaba The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 arranged Promise Ogumu (a.k.a James Simpson, Brain Walker) before Justice F.A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State. Ogumu was arraigned on six -count charges, bordering on fraudulent impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents . He is alleged to have sometime in 2019 and 202 obtained an aggregate sum of Thirty Seven Thousand Three Hundred and Fifty Dollars ( $37, 350) under false pretence of a lottery investment. One of the counts reads: "that you Promise Ogumu on or about 8th February, 2019 in Delta State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to defraud obtained the sum of $12,600 from John Dawson under the false pretence of a lottery investment, the pretence you knew to be false and therefore committed an offence contrary to section (1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and Punishable under section 1 (3) of same Act." Another count reads: "that you Promise Ogumu on or about 8th July 2019 in Delta State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of $9000 from Bao Tran Hung under the false pretence of a lottery investment, the pretence 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 same Act." The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel , I.K Agwai prayed the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendant at a Correctional Facility. Justice Olubanjo granted the defendant bail in the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000), with one surety. The surety must possess a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The defence counsel is to undertake in writing to produce the defendant in court when needed The matter was adjourned to November 14 and 15, 2022 for hearing. The press release contains a photo: efcc-arraigns-suspected-fraudster-in-asaba ************************************* 20 SEP 2022 Kaduna Court Sends Five Fraudsters to Jail Justice Nasiru.U. Sadiq of the Kaduna State High Court has convicted and sentenced five internet fraudsters to various terms of imprisonment for cheating by impersonation. The fraudsters: Ephraim Andrew Maude(a.k.a Chris Hugo), Genesis Daniel (a.k.a Tyler Wine), Henriatta Kantona, George Funom Khah and Haruna Tisan Jeremiah, were jailed on Monday, September 19, 2022 after pleading guilty to one- count separate charge, bordering on internet fraud and cheating by impersonation, upon their arraignment by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The one -count charge reads: "That you, Ephraim Andrew Maude (a.k.a Chris Hugo), sometime in July, 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, committed an offence, to wit; falsely presented yourself as Chris Hugo, and in that assumed character cheated one Donald of the total sum of $50.00 (Fifty US Dollars) via 'silverdadies app' (a social media application and gay site) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law." The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, when it was read to them individually. Upon their plea of guilty, prosecution counsels: Matiyak Y. John and P.C Onyeneho prayed the court to convict them accordingly but defense counsels: Luqman Shittu, Abu Usman. A, Abdulsalam Nurudeen and Abubakar .A. Muhammad, prayed for mercy of the court for the defendants, saying that they are remorseful. Justice Sadiq thereafter convicted and sentenced Maude to three years imprisonment, with an option of fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira(N100,000.00). He also forfeited an Apple Iphone 7 plus used in carrying out the crime while the sum of $50.00 returned by the defendant is forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The judge convicted and sentenced Daniel to three months imprisonment or pay a fine of N100,000.00( One Hundred Thousand Naira). He forfeited an S10 LTE mobile phone. Kantona bagged three years imprisonment, with an option of fine of N150,000.00 ( One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and forfeited the Apple Iphone XS Max and Infinix Hot 9 phones used to carry out the offence to the government. Both Khah and Jeremiah were convicted and sentenced to three months imprisonment each. While Khah was given an option to pay a fine of N150,000.00, Jeremiah had an option of N100, 000. Both forfeited their phones to the government, while Jeremiah restituted Eighty United States Dollars ($80) to his victim. The convicts started their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC, for internet-related offences. They were charged to court and convicted. The press release contains a small photo of each 419er: kaduna-court-sends-five-fraudsters-to-jail **************************************** 19 SEP 2022 Five Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms in Makurdi Justices Emeka Nwite and A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, have convicted and sentenced five internet fraudsters to different jail terms. The convicts: Adakole Williams Joseph, Amuta Michael Ochube, Achir David Teryima, Dahiru Umar Usman and Onah Victor Onah, were jailed on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 13 and 14, 2022 respectively. While Joseph, Ochube, Teryima and Usman were convicted by Justice Nwite, Onah was jailed by Justice Mohammed. They were convicted, after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on criminal impersonation and Point of sale, POS, fraud, upon being arraigned by the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Adakole Williams Joseph count charge reads: "That you Adakole Williams Joseph sometime in 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud advertised to the public on your Instagram account named Jay- Tech that I got my account recovered successfully through the help of JAY-TECH on Instagram and defrauded unsuspecting persons, a message which materially misrepresented facts and caused the recipients a cumulative loss of N2, 197, 970.82k (Two Million, One Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Naira Eighty Two Kobo) and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015". They all pleaded guilty to the charge, when it was read to them individually. In view of their pleas, prosecution counsels: Ramiah Ikhanaede and M. Yusuf, prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Delivering judgment, Justice Nwite sentenced Joseph to two years imprisonment, with an option of fine of N2,000, 000 ( Two Million Naira only). Teryima was sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N250,000( Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), while Ochube and Usman were sentenced to one year imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N1,000,000( One Million Naira). Furthermore, Justice Mohammed sentenced Onah to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N300,000( Three Hundred Thousand Naira). Also, the court ordered that the convicts restitute their victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria. They started their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Command of the EFCC for impersonating foreigners and defrauding their victims through false claims. five-internet-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-in-makurdi ********************************* 16 SEP 2022 EFCC Arrests Nine Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Enugu Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested nine suspected internet fraudsters. They were arrested on Friday, September 16, 2022 at the Transekulu and Monarch areas of Enugu, Enugu State. The suspects are: Chukwu Chidiebube Emmanuel, Ebuka Owoh Bonaventure, Stephen Obinna Chukwu, Victor Chimere Opuniju, Justice Ifeanyichukwu Anunobi, Ugwumba Eloka Charles, Okeke ifeanyi Victor, Nduka Ononiwu and Obasi Chisom. Investigations showed that the suspects always impersonate foreigners to defraud their victims. Items recovered from them include two vehicles, 26 mobile phones and six laptops. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release contains photos: efcc-arrests-nine-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-enugu *************************************** 16 SEP 2022 EFCC Arrests Siblings, 14 others for Suspected Internet Fraud in Ilorin Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested sixteen persons over an alleged case of cybercrime and possession of fraudulent funds in Ilorin. They were arrested on Thursday, September 15, 2022 following credible intelligence worked upon by the Commission. The suspects, including two siblings: Ahmed Ismail and Toheeb Ismail, are: Suleiman Abduqudrib Salati, Nurudeen Ibrahim, Boluwasefe Oyinloye, Bashir Azeez, Abduquodri Ibrahim, Raji R oqeeb, Tobiloba Raihan, Busari Mohammed. Others are: Olaoye Kolade, Bello Muhammed, Onime Bright, Adebayo Bolaji, Abdulqudus Zakariya and Adeleke Hassan. Items recovered from them include eight exotic cars, phones and laptops The suspects will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release contains photos: efcc-arrests-siblings-14-others-for-suspected-internet-fraud-in-ilorin *************************************** 15 SEP 2022 EFCC Arrests "Driver" For Alleged $17.5m Advance Fee Fraud In Lagos Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a suspected fraudster, Olabanji Aluko, for an alleged $17.5m advance fee fraud. Aluko, who claimed to be a driver, was arrested on Wednesday, September 8, 2022, at a popular eatery in Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, where he had arranged a meeting with a petitioner, Col. Remi Abdulrahman Adeyemo( retd.). Adeyemo, in his statement to the EFCC, claimed that he received a phone call from a man, simply identified as Ojo, who claimed to have known him some years back. Ojo, according to him, claimed that his son had initiated a divorce process in the United States of America, USA, and wanted to sell his properties to avoid losing them to his wife in the end. He further alleged that Ojo requested his assistance regarding receiving the said sum, being proceeds of the sale of his son's properties in the US, allegedly assuring him that the money would be shipped from the US, through a company, Loomis International, New York, and that a code would be sent to him, which he would present before he could take possession of the said sum. Adeyemo also claimed to have received another call, where he was told that he would have to pay the sum of $5,700, being the cost of local handling charges, in order to receive the money. Suspecting that Ojo was up to some foul play, he reported the case to the EFCC. The EFCC, working on the intelligence, swung into action, which resulted in the arrest of the suspect while he was about to hand over the fake bills to the tune of $17.5m to the petitioner. The suspect will soon be charged to court. The press release contains a photo: efcc-arrests-driver-for-alleged-17-5m-advance-fee-fraud-in-lagos **************************************** 14 SEP 2022 Edo Court Jails Two Fraudsters Six Years Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin- City, on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 convicted and sentenced Okungbowa Edosa Emmanuel and Erhabor Osaikhuwuomwan to six years imprisonment. The duo were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a separate one-count charge, bordering on retention of proceeds of criminal conduct and fraudulent impersonation. The charge against Emmanuel reads: that you Okungbowa Edosa Emmanuel sometimes between 16th February, 2018 to 16 th May 2022 in Benin City , Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did retain the aggregate sum of Five Hundred and Sixty Five Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand, Fifty Nine Naira, Eleven kobo (565, 544,059.11 ) only in your UBA account No:2105913681 knowing that same represent proceeds of criminal conduct to wit: contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment ) Act 2004 and punishable under Section(17(b) of same Act. The charge against Osaikhuwuomwan reads: that you Erhabor Osaikhuwuomwan ( a.k.a Trevor Donovan ) on or about the 24th August 2022 at Agbor by pass, Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to defraud, fraudulently impersonated one Trevor.Donovan, a white man and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State.) 1976 and punishable under same Law Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecution counsel: Ibrahim Mohammed, to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, defence counsel, Pascal Ugbome prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first- time offenders. Justice Itsuele convicted and sentenced Emmanuel to three years imprisonment, with an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira( N200, 000) while Osaikhuomwan also bagged three years imprisonment with an option of fine of Three Hundred Thousand Naira( N300,000). The judge ordered that one Mercedes Benz CLA 250 Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, balances in Access Bank, WEMA Bank, Zenith Bank and GTB accounts belonging to Osaikhuwuomwan be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Emmanuel forfeited to the Federal Government a Lexus RX 350 SUV, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Venza, Toyota Camry, Lexus IS 25 cars and an aggregate sum total of N 251,750.34( Two Hundred and Fifty One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira, Thirty Four kobo) being money found in UBA, Sterling Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank. The judge also ordered that laptops and phones recovered from the defendants, being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the government. The convicts' journey to the Correctional Centre started when operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC arrested them for impersonation and criminal conducts. Investigations showed that, Emmanuel had sometime between 2018 and 2022 retained the aggregate sum of N565,544,059,1) been proceeds of crime while Osaikhuwuomwan impersonated one Trevor Donovan, a white man. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: edo-court-jails-two-fraudsters-six-years *************************************** 13 SEP 2022 EFCC Arrests 22 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Uyo Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 22 suspected internet fraudsters within Akwa Ibom State. They were arrested in a sting operation on Tuesday, September 13, 2022. The all-male suspects, whose ages range between 18 to 24 years, were arrested at their various hideouts in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene areas of the State, following verified intelligence regarding their nefarious activities. Items recovered from the suspects include, a silver -coloured Toyota Corolla car, as well as various brands of sophisticated mobile phones and laptops. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. efcc-arrests-22-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-uyo **************************************** 13 SEP 2022 Ilorin Court Jails Musician, Two Others, 20 Years for Cybercrime Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, has convicted and sentenced a Lokoja- born musician, Onojah Emmanuel Samuel, and two others to twenty years imprisonment for offences bordering on cybercrime. Samuel was convicted on Monday, September 12, 2022 alongside Victor Atsumbe Kadiyamo and Jejelowo Segun, after pleading guilty to separate count charges, bordering on internet fraud. They were arraigned by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The charge against Samuel reads: "That you, Onojah Emmanuel Samuel, sometime in May, 2022 at Lokoja, Kogi State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court fraudulently impersonated one Richard Philips via your Instagram account linked to your gmail account: richardphilips6211@gmail.com with intent to obtain money from one Erika which you did obtain the sum of Eighty Pounds worth gift cards and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (ii) of Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act." Following their pleas, counsel to EFCC, Andrew Akoja reviewed the facts of the cases and prayed the judge to convict and sentence them accordingly. In his judgment, Justice Sani convicted and sentenced Samuel to three years imprisonment on counts one and two, with an option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on each count. The court ordered that the phone used by the convict to commit the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. Kadiyamo was also convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment on counts one, two and three, with options of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on counts one and two, while count three carried an option of fine of N54,194,680.00 (Fifty Four Million, One Hundred and Ninety Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Naira Only). In addition, the convict forfeited his phone and one Lexus car which he purchased with the proceeds of his unlawful activities to the government. In the same vein, Segun was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only). The judge, in addition, ordered the forfeiture of his Toyota Matrix car and phone to the Government. The convicts began their journey to the Correctional Centre, when they were arrested by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet-related offences. Further investigations linked them with impersonation of foreigners. They defrauded both local and foreign victims in the process. ilorin-court-jails-musician-two-others-20-years-for-cybercrime *********************************** 12 SEP 2022 Two Internet Fraudsters Bag Five Years in Kaduna Justice Nasiru.U. Sadiq of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna, has convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters to five years, six months imprisonment for internet- related offences and cheating. The fraudsters: Peter Uzorchukwu Sharon( a.k.a Drew Mason) and Peter Prince John, were jailed on Monday, September 12, 2022 after pleading guilty to one- count separate charge, bordering on internet fraud and cheating by impersonation, upon their arraignment by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The one count charge reads: "That you, Peter Uzorchukwu Sharon (a.ka.a Drew Mason) (m), between January and August, 2022, at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, cheated one Riphylla Diengdoh (an Indian) of the total sum of 56,000.00 ( Fifty-Six Thousand Indian Rupees) only when you pretended to be Drew Mason; a white man from United Kingdom and an Account Manager for Cindix.io firm on several online social media applications, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same law. The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when it was read to each one of them separately. Upon their "guilty" plea, prosecution counsels: M.E. Eimonye and Matiyak .Y. John prayed the court to convict them accordingly. Justice Sadiq thereafter convicted and sentenced Uzorchukwu to five (5)years imprisonment, with an option of fine of N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira). He forfeited an Apple Iphone 13 Pro, used to commit the offence to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The sum of N300,000.00(three Hundred Thousand Naira) returned by the defendant as restitution was also forfeited to the government. The judge equally convicted and sentenced John to six (6)months imprisonment, with an option of fine of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (150,000.00). He also forfeited Iphone 6S to the government. The convicts' journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested by operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet- related offences. They were particularly found to be impersonating foreigners, and in the process, defrauded many local and foreign victims. They were charged to court and convicted. two-internet-fraudsters-bag-five-years-in-kaduna ************************************** 9 SEP 2022 EFCC Arrests Seven for Suspected Internet Fraud in Benin Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Benin Zonal Command, on Friday September 9, 2022 arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City, Edo State. The suspects were arrested at their hideouts, following actionable intelligence about their alleged involvement in internet- related fraud. The suspects are Akele Aisosa, Idemudia Lawson Osarodion, Daniel Chidube Emeka and Ekoh Godswill. Others areJunior Osagie, Idemudia Destiny Eghosa and Osaigbovo Lawrence. Items recovered at the point of arrest include: three Mercedes Benz GLK 350; one Lexus RX 350; one Mercedes Benz C400 AMG and different brands of phone. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. efcc-arrests-seven-for-suspected-internet-fraud-in-benin **************************************** 9 SEP 2022 Two Siblings, One Other, in Jail for Cybercrime in Ilorin Justices Adebayo Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin and Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin have convicted two siblings - Shekoni Kayode Taofeek and Shekoni Habeeb Damilare, alongside Adegbe Thankgod, for offences bordering on cybercrime and retention of proceeds of unlawful activities. They were convicted on Thursday, September 8, 2022 after pleading guilty to two count-charges bordering on retention of proceeds of unlawful activities, based on their arraignment by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. While Taofeek and Damilare were convicted by Justice Yusuf, Thankgod was jailed by Justice Sani. Count two of the charges against Taofeek reads: "That you, Shekoni Kayode Taofeek sometime between 13th January, 2022 and 22nd August, 2022 at Ilorin, within the judicial division of the High Court, did knowingly had under your control, the gross sum of N14,606,100 (Fourteen Million, Six Hundred and Six Thousand, One Hundred Naira Only) being part of the gross sum of N54,194,680.00 (Fifty Four Million, One Hundred and Ninety Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Naira Only) deposited in your Sterling Bank account number 0058929473 which is reasonably suspected to be unlawfully obtained and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 319(a) of the penal code" Count one of the charges against Damilare reads: "That you, Shekoni Habeeb Damilare between 30th March, 2022 to 23rd August, 2022 at Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly had under your control, the gross sum of N2,526,144.00 (Two Million, Five Hundred and Twenty Six T housand, One Hundred and Forty Four Naira Only) in your account number 2136057626 with the name: Shekoni Habeeb Damilare domiciled with the United Bank of Africa Plc which you knew to be proceeds of criminal conduct and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 319(a) of the Penal Code". The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them. Upon their pleas, counsels to the EFCC, Innocent Mbachie and Aliyu Adebayo, reviewed the facts of the cases and prayed the court to convict them accordingly. Justice Yusuf, thereafter, convicted and sentenced Taofeek and Damilare to six months imprisonment each. While Taofeek's sentence was without an option of fine, Damilare was given an option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). Justice Sani also convicted and sentenced Thankgod to three years imprisonment on each of the two-count charges of cybercrime levelled against him by the EFCC. The judge gave the convict an option of fine of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on count one, while no fine was awarded on count two. In addition, the judge ordered the forfeiture of a landed property, one Toyota Camry car, an iphone 13 and Samsung phone used by the convict to commit the crime to the Federal Government. The convicts were arrested by operatives of the Ilorin Command of the EFCC for internet-related offences. Further investigations showed that Taofeek had the sum of N14, 606,100 in his bank account which he could not account for Damilare also had the sum of N2,526,144.00 in his account, which he could not justify. They were prosecuted and convicted. two-siblings-one-other-in-jail-for-cybercrime-in-ilorin ************************************ 8 SEP 2022 Six Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of six internet fraudsters. They were sentenced to various jail terms. They convicts are: Victor Moses Agbenyo Akeji, Ugbede Yakubu, Julius Omowale Ayodele, Emmanuel Isaac, Adedokun Adebukola and Mojereola Toheeb. While Akeji, Yakubu and Ayodele and Isaac were convicted by Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court, the duo of Adebukola and Toheeb were jailed by Justice Adebayo Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin. Count two of the charges against Akeji reads: "That you, Moses Agbenyo Akeji, between the month of April 2021 to December 2021, in Lokoja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the control of the sum of N1,600,500 (One Million, Six Hundred Thousand, Five Hundred Naira Only) in your Bank Account Number 2082099701, with the Name, Moses Agbenyo Akeji domiciled with UBA plc, which you knew to be proceed of criminal conduct and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17 (a) and (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes (Establishment) Act, 2004." All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them. Following their pleas, Prosecution Counsels: Innocent Mbachie, Aliyu Adebayo and Andrew Akoja prayed the Justices to convict and sentence the defendants as charged. In their judgment, Justices Sani and Yusuf convicted and sentenced the defendants accordingly. Specifically, Justice Sani sentenced Akeji, Yakubu and Isaac to three years imprisonment with an option of fine of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only) each, while Ayodele had an option to sweep the Ilorin EFCC's office for one week. In the same vein , Justice Yusuf sentenced Adebukola and Toheeb to six months imprisonment with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) each. The convicts were arrested by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet- related offences. They were prosecuted and convicted. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: six-internet-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-in-ilorin ********************************** 8 SEP 2022 Benin Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters Eight Years Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin- City, has convicted and sentenced the duo of Nnamdi Theo-Joseph Duru and Israel Oluwaseun Ayoomoni to eight years imprisonment for internet- related fraud. Duru and Ayoomoni were convicted, after pleading guilty to one - count separate charge, bordering on, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct and possession of documents containing false pretense, upon their arraignment by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The lone- count charge against Duru reads: "that you Nnamdi Theo-Joseph Duru sometimes between 1st January, 2017 to November, 2021 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did retain the aggregate sum of N8,000,432,22 in your Access Bank Account Number:0090793423 knowing that same represent proceeds of your criminal conduct to wit' Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment ) Act 2004 and punishable under Section ßdz17(b) of the same Act." The defendants pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to them. Based on their pleas, prosecution counsel, K.Y. Bello, prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants, Pascal Ugbome and Osaro Uyi prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, as the defendants had shown remorse for their actions. Justice Itsuell convicted and sentenced Duru to five years imprisonment, with an option of fine of N500,000 ( Five Hundred Thousand Naira) while Ayoomoni bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 ( Two Hundred Thousand Naira). The judge also ordered Duru to forfeit the sum of $34,000 ( Thirty Four Thousand United States Dollars), recovered from him in the course of investigation, to the Federal Bureau of Investigation as restitution to the victim while Ayoomoni also forfeited the sum of N23,742.36( Twenty Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Two Naira, Thirty Six kobo) in his Guaranty Bank account and the sum of N20,022.10( Twenty Thousand, Twenty Two Naira, Ten Kobo) in his Polaris Bank account and the sum of 25 USD( Twenty Five United States Dollars) which were recovered from him as proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria. He also forfeited his phone to the government while the bank accounts are closed. The convicts started their journey to the Correctional Centre, when they were arrested by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC, for internet- related offences. They were charged to court and convicted. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: benin-court-jails-two-internet-fraudsters-eight-years ************************************* 7 SEP 2022 EFCC Arrests 11 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Benin Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Zonal Command, on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 arrested 11 suspected internet fraudsters. They were arrested at their various hideouts in Benin City, Edo State, following actionable intelligence worked upon by the Commission. The suspects are Okon Destiny, Efe Edomwonyi, Tony Osarobo, Moses Osazee, Ojo Festus, Christian Odiase and Bright Obaro. Others are Precious Aghedo, Harmony Enobakhare, Oluwafemi Adigun and Gift Inedegbor. tems recovered from them at the point of arrest include various brands of mobile phones, laptops and four vehicles. The suspects will be arraigned in court soon. The press release contains photos: efcc-arrests-11-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-benin ************************************** 7 SEP 2022 Four Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms in Kaduna Justice Nasiru.U. Sadiq of the Kaduna State High Court has convicted and sentenced four internet fraudsters to various terms of imprisonment, for internet- related offences and impersonation. The fraudsters: Alpha Miagon Tingon(a.k.a Jeffrey M. Currie), Bethel Eniola (a.ka. Alex), Ezekiel Isaac, and Benjamin Elijah, were jailed on September 7, 2022, after pleading guilty to one- count separate charge bordering on internet fraud and impersonation, upon their arraignment by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The one- count charge reads: "That you, Alpha Miagon Tingon, sometime between April to August, 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained a total sum of 150 USD (United states dollars) as payment to secure ac"Buffer" from one David Patet when you falsely presented yourself to him as Jeffrey M. Currie, which pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence of Impersonation contrary to and punishable under Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017". The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when it was read to each one of them separately. Based on their "guilty" pleas , prosecution counsels: M.E. Eimonye and Moses Arumemi prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly but defense counsels: Abu-Usman A, Richard.O. Adedoyin, E.B. Maza, and Nwokoro Oluchi sued for mercy of the court for the defendants, saying that they are remorseful. Justice Sadiq, thereafter convicted and sentenced Tingon to three months imprisonment without an option of fine. The Apple Iphone XR Ma, Samsung A21S and Nokia Touch phones used to carry out the offence are forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, and a sum of $500(Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) returned by the convict was also forfeited to the government. Eniola was convicted and sentenced to three months imprisonment, with an option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) while the Samsung Galaxy S9+ mobile phone used in committing the offence was forfeited to the government. Both Isaac and Chisom were also convicted and sentenced by Justice Sadiq. While Isaac was sentenced to five years imprisonment, with an option of fine of N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), Chisom was sentenced to three months imprisonment, with an option of fine of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira). Isaac also forfeited an Apple Iphone 11pro and Infinix X5 Lite phone to the government and the sum of $350 ( Three Hundred and Fifty United States Dollar) also forfeited to the government. All the convicts started their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC, for internet-related offences. They were investigated, prosecuted and convicted. four-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-in-kaduna *************************************** 6 SEP 2022 EFCC Arrests 40 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Lagos Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 40 suspected internet fraudsters in some parts of Lagos State. The suspects are: Doroye Olumide Joseph, Ajayi Oluwaseyi Emmanuel, Olalekan Olaniyi Akonji , Oluwadare Samuel Olawale, Oloyede Olakunle, Okon Ayomide Cornelius, Omokaro Ailele Jeffery, Oyedokun Opeyemi Abdulrazaq, Olowofela Temidayo, Mosess Ossai, Dada Samuel Abiodun, Francis Victor Oluwatobi, Ayobami Akanji, Osun Gbenga, Ajayi Femi, Adewara Oluwadamilola, Anthony Okun, Olusegun Ibukunoluwa, Boluwatife Adewale, Jerry Agoh, Oluseye Ayomipo, Anthony Adedolapo Dada, John Adamso Tobi, Asagba James Oluwaseun and Ideh Rukeme Oghenetega. Others are: Peter Nwaneri, Egbe David Morgan, Abu Mathew, Anjola Emmanuel, Olashile Gabriel, Omobolaji Solomon, Allen Ayoola, Odenike Sodiq, Oluwasina Temitope, Kareem Hassan, Fagbemiro Ayomide, Olaegbe Hammed, Ejede Victor, Allen Abimbola and Confidence Atipko. They were arrested at Awoyaya and Oral Estate areas of Lekki, Lagos State on August 29, and September 1, 2022, following credible intelligence received by the Commission about their alleged involvement in computer- related fraud, identity theft and obtaining money under false pretence. At the points of arrest, laptop computers, mobile devices containing false documents as well as luxury cars were recovered from the suspects. The suspects will soon be charged to court. efcc-arrests-40-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos ************************************* 5 SEP 2022 Court Jails Two Fraudsters Eight Years in Benin Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court, has convicted and sentenced the duo of Obinna Cosmas Clement and J. Sunkami to eight years imprisonment. Clement and Sunkanmi were jailed on Monday, September 5, 2022 after pleading guilty to one- count separate charge, bordering on retention of proceeds of criminal conduct and possession of fraudulent documents, upon being arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The charge against Clement reads: "that you Obinna Cosmos Clement on or about 1st May, 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did retain the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty-Eight Naira Sixty -Five Kobo (N120,423,688.65) in your United Bank for Africa account number: 2247175272 knowing that same represent proceeds of your criminal conduct to wit; Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act." Based on their pleas, prosecution counsel, Francis A. Jirbo prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants, Pascal Ugbome and Jeffery Iluobe Itua, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, stressing that the defendants have become remorseful of their actions. Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Clement to three (3) years imprisonment with an option of fine of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) while Sunkanmi bagged five years( 5) imprisonment with an option of fine of N200, 000( Two Hundred Thousand Naira). The judge also ruled that the total sum of One Hundred and Twenty Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Three thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty- Eight Naira, Sixty-five Kobo (N120,423,688.65) found in Clement's United Bank for Africa account, Mercedes Benz GLK 350, iPhone 12 promax recovered from him and iphone X recovered from Sunkami, all being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC. The convicts' journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC, for internet- related offences. Investigations linked them with proceeds of crime running into N120million , which they could not account for. They were subsequently prosecuted and convicted. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: court-jails-two-fraudsters-eight-years-in-benin ******************************************** 5 SEP 2022 EFCC Arrests Club Owner, 21 Other Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ibadan Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested Adepoju Olawale Sunday, owner of “De Rock Club”, Ring Road, Ibadan and 21 other suspected internet fraudsters, in an intelligence -driven operation. The 21 other suspected internet fraudsters, including a couple: Aladenusi Adegboyeyega Ayodeji and Aladenusi Omowunmi Sadiat ( a.k.a Bonnie and Clyde) are: Ajuwon Omobola Ibrahim, Ogunniyi Atilade Stephen, Bolaji Olawale Quadri, Olajire Usthman Olamilekan, Ojo Faruq Kolapo, Kajero Babatunde Sodiq, Kareem Taiwo Abiodun, Bolaji Bolarinwa Toheeb, Banjo Micheal Toyin and Clement Clemson Adeseye. Others are: Babalola Segun Samuel, Opeyemi Gbenga Omoyemi, Okesanya Seyi Matthew, Kareem Kehinde Damilola, Aledegbe Akinola Qodir, Akindele Ayodele Solomon, Adewopo Adesuyi John, Iyiola Dolapo Ridwan and Olabosinde Hammed Adesola. Sunday, 36, graduate of Industrial Chemistry of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, also runs Helpline Foundation, Special Service Global Trust (S.S.G) Limited, all in Ibadan. He was arrested with a 2020 Range Rover HSE Sports Utility Vehicle. The suspects were arrested after series of surveillance and intelligence on their alleged criminal activities. Items recovered from them include five cars, laptop computers, mobile phones, and incriminating documents containing false presences. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release contains photos: efcc-arrests-club-owner-21-other-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-ibadan ***************************************** 2 SEP 2022 EFCC Arrests 17 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Benin-City Operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 17 suspected internet fraudsters. They were arrested at their hideout in Benin City, Edo State following actionable intelligence received by the Commission. The suspects are Arebu Julius, Ebiechuwa Victory Ovie, John Uwague, Edward Asuelimhen, Onyeka Sunday, Omorefe Osazee, Kelvin Emmanuel, Osamuliamen Maxwell, Osrmudiamen Aganjele, Godday Osaretin and Osayande Osariemen. Others are Destiny Enobokhare, Daniel Collins, Collins Edobor, Chukwuemeka Johnson, Omofuma Godpower and Progress Edoagu. Items recovered from them at the point of arrest include phones and laptops and seven vehicles of different brands. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. efcc-arrests-17-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-benin-city ************************************ 2 SEP 2022 Court Sends Eight Internet Fraudsters to Jail in Kaduna Justice Nasiru U. Sadiq of the Kaduna State High court has convicted and sentenced eight internet fraudsters to various terms of imprisonment for internet-related offences, cheating and impersonation. The fraudsters: Jimoh Hamza, David Joseph, Osondu Obinna Stanley, Praise Yusuf, Ashiru Adamu, Abdulwasiu Yunus, Yusuf Buhari and Joseph Jerry were jailed on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on impersonation and cheating, upon their arraignment by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The one count charge for David Joseph reads,: "That you David Joseph Adoyi, on or about the 11th of August, 2022, at Goni Gora axis of Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and in such assumed character impersonated one Mark Johnson (an American citizen) via your Instagram account and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017". The charge for Abdulwasiu Yunus reads: "That you Abdulwasiu Yunus, Male, sometimes in April, 2022, in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated one Alina Belle, a citizen of United States of America on Instagram and in such false identity engaged David Plewis on a romantic relationship and obtained the sum of $5000 USD (Five Thousand United States of America Dollar) worth of gift cards, and you thereby committed cheating by impersonation, an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law, 2017 of Kaduna State and punishable under Section 309 of the same law". The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when read to each one of them separately. Consequent on their guilty pleas, prosecution counsels: Moses Arumemi and Matiyak Y. John and M. Lawal, prayed the court to convict them accordingly but defence counsels: Abu Usman .A, N.S Dantata, Aba Cornelius Afiyoup, N. Shehu and B.A Tanko, sued for mercy of the court for the defendants, stressing that they had become remorseful. Justice Sadiq thereafter convicted and sentenced Joseph to three months imprisonment or pay a fine of N100,000,00( One Hundred Thousand Naira). He is also to forfeit One Iphone 11 Pro mobile phone to the government. Hamza was sentenced to three months imprisonment or pay a fine of N150,000.00 ( One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and forfeit One Apple Iphone X5 Max mobile phone to the government. Also, Yusuf bagged three months imprisonment or pay a fine of N150,000.00 and forfeit One Infinix Hot 5 mobile phone to the government. Both Stanley and Adamu got three months imprisonment each or pay a fine of N100,000.00 each. They also forfeited their phones to the government On the parts of Yunus and Buhari, Justice Sadiq convicted and sentenced them to three months imprisonment each, without an option of fine. They forfeited the following items to the government: one black LG Led TV, 3.1 multimedia speakers system, 5x5 Vitafoam mattress, one-seater cushion chair, one Senwei SV2200 generator, one black and brown TV stand, one black wall mirror. one Apple Iphone 12 Pro Max, one black Dell laptop, a bank draft in the sum of N350,000.00( Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), a 6x12 mattress, two black colour cushioned chairs, one Hisense fridge, a washing machine, decoder, Yamaha generator, 4 sets of speaker, a DVD video, one motorcycle, one microwave, two pairs of shoes and a 21 inch Hisense television set. Jerry was also sentenced and convicted to three months imprisonment with an option of fine of N100,000.00 and forfeited two mobile phones to the government. court-sends-eight-internet-fraudsters-to-jail-in-kaduna ********************************************* 1 SEP 2022 EFCC Arrests 41 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Awka Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested forty-one (41) suspected internet fraudsters in Awka, Anambra State. They were arrested on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in cyber crimes and other related activities. Sixteen(16) of the suspects were arrested at Umuodu Tansi Road, Awka, Anambra State while the remaining 25 were arrested at Umudu Okpuno Village,Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. The suspects are : Eze Stanley Chineze, Emmanuel Chijioke Ejikeme, Chinonso Edwin Abonyi, Emmanuel Akoi Chibuike, Henry Umenyi Chukwualuka, Ayo Iteze Chidiebere, Emeka Justice, Emmanuel Ayakem, Ememuo Innocent Ifeanyi and Odinaka Udeh. Others are: Okonkwo Stanley Chukwuma, Ezeakolam Godswill Chihurumnanya, Emmanuel Mgbakor kenechukwu, Benneth Odinaka, Ndefor Chukwudi, Ngadi Chima, Akalam Lucky Ibuchi, Akalam Michael, Justus Akalam Chunazom, Akalam Kenneth, David Monday Ebuka, Uchechukwu Kingsley Ebuka, Henry Echezona, Onyedika Chukwu, Abuchi Awa, Henry Adumaka, Chidera Chika, Malachi Asonbe, Cosmos Obidimma and Akuma Wisdom. The rest are: Agwu Victor, Godwin Okoro, Obumneke Nwankwo, Igboanugo Charles, Ibeh Chisom, Agbafuna Ifeanyi, Chukwu Joseph, Chukwu Benard, Anson Ugochukwu, Mathew Chukwuemeka and Temple Emmanuel. Items recovered from them are several mobiles phones, laptops, one Lexus RX350 Sports Utility Vehicle, one Lexus ES350 car, another unregistered Lexus ES350 car and one Toyota Camry car. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release contains photos: efcc-arrests-41-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-awka ************************************** 31 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests Nine Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abuja Operatives of the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested nine(9) suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation. The suspects: Bassey Sunday Junior, Samson Zachariah, Ogonyi Jeremiah, Sunday Martins, Austin Yayison, Wilson Chinaza, Emmanuel Adeyi, Samuel Mark and Emmanuel Bassey, were arrested on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at Voque Hotel in the Mararaba Area of Abuja for alleged involvement in cybercrimes. Thirteen (13) phones, three laptops and a Harman/Kardon music box were recovered from them. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations a re concluded. The press release contains a photo: efcc-arrests-nine-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-abuja *************************************** 31 AUG 2022 Three Internet Fraudsters Bag Nine Years Jail Term in Benin-City The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of three internet fraudsters. The convicts: Osama Abraham Obasohan, Okunnuwa Moses and Osalenlen Celestine, were jailed by Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court, Benin City, on Monday, August 29, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on possession of documents containing false pretence and retention of illegal proceeds of crime. The charge against Osama Abraham Obasohan reads: "That you Osama Abraham Obasohan sometime between 29 June, 2022 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did retain the sum of One Million Nine Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Five Naira Eighty One Kobo (N1,913,005.81) knowing that same represent proceeds of your criminal conduct to wit; Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, ( Establishment ) Act 2004 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act". Upon arraignment, they all pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC. Based on their pleas, prosecution counsels: Francis .A. Jirbo and K.Y. Bello prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Itsuele thereafter convicted and sentenced Obasohan to five years imprisonment, with an option of fine of N500,000( Five Hundred Thousand Naira). Moses bagged one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N300, 000( Three Hundred Thousand Naira), while Celestine bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira). Additionally, the judge ordered that the total balance found in the convicts' bank accounts, as well as phones: iPhone 7 plus; iphone 11 pro max ; iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 pro max, being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria. The convicts began their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet-related offences. They were investigated, prosecuted and eventually convicted. The press release contains photos: three-internet-fraudsters-bag-nine-years-jail-term-in-benin-city ******************************************** 30 AUG 2022 Court Jails Two Fashion Designers, Three Others For Internet Fraud In Ilorin Justice Ibrahim Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, Kwara State has convicted and sentenced two fashion designers: Jatto Mujeeb, Opeyemi Bhadmus Abdulsamad, alongside three other internet fraudsters: Ipadeola Olawale, Tomiwa Kingsley and Kolawole Segun to various jail terms. They were jailed on Monday, August 29, 2022 after pleading guilty to three-count separate charges bordering on internet fraud, cheating and possession of fraudulent funds. Based on their guilty pleas, prosecution counsels: Innocent Mbachie and Sesan Ola prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Yusuf sentenced Mujid to six months imprisonment on each of the three counts, with an option of fine of N50,000( Fifty Thousand Naira) on each count. The court ordered that the iPhone 6 which was used to commit the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. The court imposed a jail term of six months on Bhadmus on each of the two counts with an option of fine of N100,000 ( One Hundred Thousand Naira) on each count. The iPhone 13, iPhone 6 and a draft of N150,000 ( One Fifty Thousand Naira) which he raised as restitution to the victim be forfeited to the Federal Government. Olawale bagged a jail term of six months imprisonment on each of the two counts, with an option of fine of N100,000 on each count. The iPhone 13 and funds in his bank account : $400 ( Four Hundred United States Dollars and N1,330, 250 ( One Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Hundred Naira) are forfeited to the Federal Government. In a similar vein, Justice Yusuf sentenced Kingsley to six months imprisonment on each of the three counts with an option of fine of N100,000 on each count. The Judge ordered the forfeiture of his phone, the sum of N91,000 ( Ninety One Thousand Naira ) in his bank account and $300 ( Three Hundred United States Dollars) raised as restitution to the Federal Government. Segun bagged six months community service without an option of fine. Additionally, he forfeited a laptop, two phones and sum of N1.2m found in his bank account to the Federal Government. The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet-related offences. They were prosecuted and convicted. court-jails-two-fashion-designers-three-others-for-internet-fraud-in-ilorin *************************************** 30 AUG 2022 Four Internet Fraudsters Bag Community Service Terms in Ibadan Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has convicted and sentenced four internet fraudsters to different community service terms. The convicts: Awujoola Jobi Muiz (a.k.a Brenda Laska Lukas), David Sunday Chukwudi (a.k.a Dreak Frank), Samuel Stephen Shekwuduza (a.k.a Mcillwain Huong) and Salawu Ayobami Adeyemi (a.k.a Roselin Dave), were jailed on Friday, August 26, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences and fraudulent representation. They all pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them. In view of their "guilty" pleas, prosecution counsel: Sanusi Galadanchi prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Taiwo found the four defendants guilty and sentenced Muiz to six months community service, Adeyemi to four months community service while Chukwudi and Shekwuduza were sentenced to three months community service each. 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. Their journey to the Correctional Centre started when operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC arrested them for suspected internet-related offences. They were investigated, prosecuted and convicted. four-internet-fraudsters-bag-community-service-terms-in-ibadan *************************************************** 29 AUG 2022 Two Internet Fraudsters Bag Two Years Jail Term in Makurdi The Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, August 29, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters: Adikpo Diamond Aondover and Mathew Itodo Onyilo, before Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. They were jailed after pleading guilty to one- count separate charge preferred against them by the Makurdi Zonal Command of the EFCC. The charge against Aondover reads: "That you, Adikpo Diamond Aondover, sometime in 2021 at Makurdi, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Elliott Winston Diamond from Worcester, Massachusetts, (United States of American Citizen) via your mobile No. 08084695597 and 07088598890 with intent to gain advantage to yourself 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) of the same Act". The charge against Onyilo reads: "That you, Mathew Itodo Onyilo sometime in June 2022 in Otukpo Benue State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Harold Marlar through his Instagram username with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under subsection (iv) of the same Act". They both pleaded "guilty" to the charge when it was read to them. In view of their pleas, prosecution counsels: Mary Onoja and M. Yusuf, respectively reviewed the facts of the cases before the court, while praying that the convicts be sentenced accordingly. Delivering judgment, Justice Muhammed sentenced Aondover to one year imprisonment, with an option of fine in the sum of N400,000.00 ( Four Hundred Thousand Naira). Onyilo was also sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of fine in the sum of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira). Also, the Iphone 7 used in committing the crime was forfeited to Federal Government of Nigeria while the two bank accounts used by the convicts to access funds were closed by the court. The two convicts started their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Command of the EFCC for impersonating foreigners and defrauding their victims through false claims. The press release contains a photo: two-internet-fraudsters-bag-two-years-jail-term-in-makurdi ************************************************** 28 AUG 2022 Avoid Cybercrime, EFCC Academy Comdt Charges Corps Members The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has urged members of the Anti-corruption Community Development Service Group of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, to embrace hard work and avoid involvement in cybercrime and other types of economic and financial crimes. Commandant of the EFCC Academy, Ayo Olowonihi, gave the charge during a sensitization programme at the Karu Local Government Secretariat, Nasarawa State on Friday, August 26, 2022. Olowonihi who was represented by the Head, Media Academy, Assistant Commander of EFCC, Chidimma Amanambu urged corps members to "be dedicated in whatever you are assigned to do during your service because you never know how far you can grow as a result of your commitment". The corps members who were sensitized on the key provisions of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004 expressed the willingness to carry the anti-corruption campaign to various schools and t he society at large. The press release contains a photo: avoid-cybercrime-efcc-academy-comdt-charges-corps-members ********************************************* 26 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests 10 Internet Fraud Suspects in Abuja Operatives of the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 10 suspected internet fraudsters. The suspects were arrested on August 25, 2022, in a sting operation at various locations in Kubwa and Gwarimpa areas of Abuja for alleged involvement in cyber-fraud. Among items recovered from them at the point of arrest are mobile phones, laptop computers and three luxury cars- a Mercedes Benz CLA 250, Mercedes Benz GLK 350 and Toyota Venza. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded. The press release contains a photo: efcc-arrests-10-internet-fraud-suspects-in-abuja ************************************* 25 AUG 2022 EFCC Secures Eight Convictions in Ibadan The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, August 25, 2022, secured eight convictions in Ibadan, Oyo State. The convicts, Bambgbose Temitayo Abiodun (a.k.a Scott Buchanan), Adebayo Sodik (Trisha Patterson), Yekini Ismail Omokayode, Ayoade Taofeek Adekunle (a.k.a Jessica Weaver),Taiwo Babalola Oluwatope (a.k.a Bram Sem),Ibrahim Ayinla Ajadi (a.k.a Chris Young),Sodiq Razaq Olamilekan (a.k.a Daren Amanda) and Adams Rasaq Lekan (a.k.a Angelina Gomez) were prosecuted before Justices Bayo Taiwo and Olusola Adetujoye of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan. They all pleaded guilty to their respective one count charge. Justice Taiwo pronounced Yekini guilty of the offence of obtaining property by false pretences contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000 and sentenced him to six months community service. Similarly, Justice Adetujoye convicted Ayoade, Taiwo, Ajadi, Olamilekan and Adams on separate one count charge of personation. He sentenced Ayoade, Ajadi and Olamilekan to six months community service while Taiwo and Adams bagged three months community service. Earlier, on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, Justice Taiwo convicted Bamgbose and Adebayo. The duo pleaded guilty to one-count amended charge of possession of documents containing false pretense. The convicts are to restitute their victims and forfeit the items recovered from them to the Federal Government. The press release contains small photos of all the 419ers: efcc-secures-eight-convictions-in-ibadan *********************************** 25 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests 11 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Benin Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Zonal Command on Thursday August 25, 2022 arrested 11 suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City, Edo State. The suspects are Kelvin Azuibike, Andrew Otuokparwo, Miracle Eloze, Junior Oseyi, Okoye Godfrey, Oseiwa Oifoghe and Odia Sylvester. Others are Ekhazor Evans, Collins Akpotu, Victor Okoh and Francis Agathor. They were arrested at their hideout following intelligence on their alleged internet fraud-related activities. Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include mobile phones and laptops. They will be arraigned in court soon The press release contains photos: efcc-arrests-11-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-benin ************************************ 24 AUG 2022 EFCC Arraigns Cubana Manager, One Other For Alleged $164,000.00 Money Laundering In Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, arraigned Lucky Uchechukwu Ndukwe, a Manager with Cubana Group, alongside one Precious Omonkhoa Ofure before Justice Justice O.A. Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for an offence bordering on conspiracy to launder and money laundering. Ndukwe, also known as Cubana Prime Minister, and Ofure were arrested recently by operatives of the Commission, following credible intelligence received about their involvement in the fraudulent activity. Items recovered from them include the sum of $164, 000. 00 (One Hundred and Sixty-four Thousand Dollars), iPhone mobile devices and laptop computers. The charge against them reads: "That you, Precious Omonkhoa Ofure and Lucky Uchechukwu Ndukwe, sometime in 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves and laundered an aggregate sum of $164,000 (One Hundred and Sixty-four Thousand Dollars), which form part of $256,314 (Two Hundred and Fifty-six Thousand, Three Hundred and Fourteen United Sates Dollars) fraudulently obtained by false pretence from one Elena Bogomaz, a Canadian Citizen, and converted the fraudulent money into the United States Dollars with the help of a Bureau De ChangeOperator, which was then credited into the bank account of Casa Cubana Estate Limited and Lucky Uchechukwu Ndukwe respectively for the purchase of two and landed properties and committed an offence contrary to Section 330 of lhe Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011." During their arraignment today, Ndukwe "pleaded not guilty", while Ofure pleaded "guilty" to the charge. Consequently, the prosecution counsel, M.K.Bashir, reviewed the facts of the case and prayed that the defendant, Ofure, be sentenced accordingly. Delivering judgment, Justice Fadipe found Ofure guilty and sentenced him to three years imprisonment on two counts of conspiracy and money laundering, with an option of fine in the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000.00) and 100 hours of community service. The Judge also ordered the forfeiture of all the items recovered from the convict. Counsel to Udukwe, Chuks Arubalaeze, told the court about an application for bail on behalf of his client. Justice Fadipe granted him bail in the sum of N5m (Five Million Naira), with two sureties in like sum. Justice Fadipe also ordered the remand of Udukwe in the correctional facility pending the perfection of his bail conditions and adjourned the case to October 28, 2022 for commencement of trial. The press release contains photos: efcc-arraigns-cubana-manager-one-other-for-alleged-164-000-00-money-laundering-in-lagos *********************************************** 24 AUG 2022 Two Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms In Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters, Abu Solomon and Nureni Olalekan, before Justice O.A. Fadipe of the Special Offence Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. They were arraigned today on separate charges. The charge against Solomon reads: "That you, Abu Solomon, on or about the 8th March, 2021 in Lagos, within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession documents titled: "Google Account Personal info" registered in the name of Addams Ava (female) and other related documents for Romance Scam printed from your email avaa09057@gmail.com ,which you knew to be false and committed an offence contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015." The charge against Nureni reads: "That you, Nureni Olalekan Oladosu, a.k.a. James Marcello, between 2019 and 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, retained an aggregate of $1,600.00 (One-Thousand Six Hundred United States of America Dollars)from unsuspecting female users of the internet by means of fraudulent trick to wit: that you a white man known as James Marcello and that you were in love with the said women and committed an offence contrary to Section 323 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015." Solomon and Olalekan each pleaded "guilty" to the offence. n view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, I.G. Akhanolu and M.S. Owede, respectively reviewed the facts of the cases before the court, while praying that the convicts be sentenced accordingly. Delivering judgment, Justice Fadipe sentenced Solomon to one year imprisonment for possession of fraudulent documents, with an option of fine in the sum of N500,000.00( Five Hundred Thousand Naira)and 40 hours of community service. Olalekan, on his part, bagged two years in prison on two counts of possession and cheating, with an option of fine of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) and 80 hours of community service. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: 8413-two-internet-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-in-lagos ************************************* 24 AUG 2022 Court Jails Three Internet Fraudsters in Abuja Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi- Ajayi of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama has convicted and sentenced the trio of Nwani Chukwuma, Opara Emeka Peter and Moses Igomah Okini to various terms of community service on internet-related offences. They were jailed on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on impersonation, upon their arraignment by the Abuja Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. They pleaded guilty to the one-count charge when it was read to them. Justice Adeyemi convicted and sentenced Chukwuma to clean the FCT High Court, Maitama, for five hours a day for a period of twenty one(21) days. He convicted and sentenced Peter to one month imprisonment and ordered him to serve as a clerical officer of the prosecution counsel for twenty(20) days. Also, he was ordered to depose to an affidavit of good behaviour. Additionally, the judge released his phone and drone seized at the time of his arrest. Okini was also convicted and sentenced to fourteen(14) days of cleaning the court premises. He is also to depose to an affidavit of good behaviour. The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested by operatives of the Abuja Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet-related offences, Chukwuma, in June 2022, made efforts to cheat one Florita, a Spanish citizen by representing himself on two social media apps as one Goodwill Chigo and Pablo Dennis, an American engineer living in Los Angeles. Peter, on the other hand, pretended to be one John, a military personnel based in Afghanistan, in an attempt to defraud his victims while Okinni impersonated one Eliana Harold, an American military woman. The press re;ease contains photos of the 419ers" court-jails-three-internet-fraudsters-in-abuja ************************************* 24 AUG 2000 EFCC Arrests Four Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Benin Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Zonal Command on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, arrested four suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City, Edo State. The suspects are Monye Chukwudi, Egwasor Jim, Osasuyi Nosa and Erhabor Osaikhuwu. Items recovered from them include phones, laptops and cars - Lexus EX350, Mercedes Benz C300 and Toyota Camry. The suspects will be arraigned in court as soon the investigation is concluded. The press release contains photos: efcc-arrests-four-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-benin ************************************ 23 AUG 2022 Impersonator, Two Others Arrested for Fraud in Kano The Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested one Gazali Ado , a 35-year-old impersonator who posed as an operative of the EFCC on the Google map. He was arrested following a petition by one Kenneth Nwarize who alleged that the suspect defrauded him of the sum of N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) under the pretext that he is an operative of the Commission. The petitioner alleged that he came across the phone number (+2348115177852) of the suspect while he was searching for the EFCC on Google to lodge a complaint; he called the number and the suspect fraudulently solicited for the sum of N150, 000 which was paid into the bank account of one Ibrahim Mohammed. Gazali was arrested alongside two others, Sanusi Abubakar Liman and Ibrahim Mohammed. The suspects will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The Commission invites members of the public who might have been defrauded through the above stated number to come forward with information. The press release contains photos: impersonator-two-others-arrested-for-fraud-in-kano **************************************** 18 AUG 2022 Man Bags 5 Months Jail Term for Internet Fraud in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentencing of one Sanni Joshua Omeiza before Justice N.U Sadiq of the Kaduna State High Court on a one count charge for Internet-related fraud. The charge reads: "That you, Sanni Joshua Omezia ( aka Bernard Stephen) between January to July, 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed an offence to with, falsely presented yourself as Bernard Stephen, a software developer and a Web designer from Switzerland and in that assumed character cheated Miss Lanina and several other unsuspecting victims of the total sum of $1700.00 (One Thousand Seven Hundred US Dollars) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the Same Law". He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him. Consequently, the Prosecuting Counsel, P.C Onyeneho urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly. Justice Sadiq convicted and sentenced the defendant to 5 months imprisonment with an option of N150,000.00 fine. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: man-bags-5months-jail-term-for-internet-fraud-in-kaduna *************************************** 17 AUG 2022 EFCC Secures Conviction of Internet Fraudster in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Badmus Usman Olaitan to one year in prison for romance scam before Justice O.O Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. Olaitan was arraigned on an amended one-count charge. The count reads: "Badmus Usman Olaitan, on or about the 20th day of January 2022 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession a document titled Google account personal info and other related documents for romance dating scam printed from your gmail account, which you knew to be false." He pleaded "guilty" to the charge. The prosecuting counsel, I.G. Akhanolu, gave a review of the facts and also urged the court to convict him as charged. He told the court that the defendant was arrested on January 20, 2022 at the Ipaja area of Lagos State, following actionable intelligence received by the Commission about his involvement in internet fraud. According to him, the defendant was subsequently brought to the EFCC's Lagos office, where mobile devices found on him were forensically analysed and his statement taken. "He was further interrogated and he admitted to engaging in a romance scam," he said. Akhanolu further told the court that the defendant admitted to benefitting the sum of N1million and had restituted the sum of N700, 000 through a First Bank manager's cheque in favour of the EFCC Recovery Account. He tendered in evidence the statements made by the defendant, the mobile phones recovered from him and a copy of the manager's cheque. He also told the court that a Lexus ES 300 2003 model, in addition to the mobile devices, was also recovered from the defendant, adding that “he admitted that all were proceeds of his illegal activities." The statements of the defendant, the fraudulent documents printed from the devices and a copy of the manager's cheque were tendered in evidence by the prosecution and admitted as exhibits against him. Justice Abike-Fadipe found him guilty as charged. The defendant, who was given an opportunity to address the court, pleaded for mercy, telling the court that he had since been engaging in a legitimate business. "I was misled into engaging in Internet fraud by my friends," he said, as he promised never to go back to the fraudulent activities. Justice Abike-Fadipe sentenced him to one year in prison and gave him an option of fine of N500, 000 and 40 hours of community service. Items recovered from him were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: 8399-efcc-secures-conviction-of-internet-fraudster-in-lagos ************************************** 16 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests 24 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Lagos Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 24 suspected internet fraudsters in the Ajah area of Lagos. The suspects are: Kelvin Essien, Michael Ekene, Steve Ochanogor, Oladujoye Samuel, Ohaeme Samuel, George Emeka, Adenigbo Igbola, Famugiloh Hakeem, Samuel Elohor, Michael Ugochukwu, Olumide Olalekan, Ayanipo David and Adulawo Oladipupo Victor. Others are: Okenwa Emeka Okobi, Adeyanju Olamide Blessing, Temi Simon, Elias Andrew Ogbe, Elvis Akuya, Onyebuchi Chisom, Abraham Nnana, Nwune Fortune, Golden Felix, Azeri Olam and Sushie Christian. The suspects were arrested on July 28, 2022 at Happy Land Estate, Ajah, Lagos, following credible intelligence on their alleged criminal activities. Items recovered from them, at the point of arrest, include exotic vehicles, mobile devices and laptops. The suspects have volunteered their statements with the EFCC and will soon be charged to court. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-24-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos ************************************* 16 AUG 2022 Three Jailed for Cyber-Fraud in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentencing of three fraudsters before Justice N.U Sadiq of the Kaduna State High Court for cheating and impersonation. The trio, Jimoh Olawale AbdulAzeez, Jeremiah Joseph (aka Means Smith) and Sani Zakariyyah Onoruoiza, who specialized in identity theft to defraud unsuspecting victims, were convicted after pleading guilty to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC. Justice Sadiq sentenced them to various prison terms with option of fine and ordered the forfeiture of the devices used in perpetrating the crimes. three-jailed-for-cyber-fraud-in-kaduna ******************************** 15 AUG 2022 Two Convicted for Investment, Internet Fraud in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Monday, August 15, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudster, Nnabuihe Martins, and Joseph Amoto, before Justice N. U Sadiq of the Kaduna State High Court on charges bordering on attempt to cheat by impersonation and cheating by impersonation. The one count charge for which Nnabuihe was convicted reads: "That you, Nnabuihe Martins, (M) sometime in 2021 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did pretend to be a Chief Executive Officer of one Trade Master FX, an online investment platform when you knew you were not and in such assumed character cheated unsuspecting victims the sum of $500(Five Hundred USD), when you claimed that such monies will be invested and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law". For Patrick, the charge reads: "That you, Joseph Amoto Patrick between January and July, 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court attempted to commit an offence and in such an attempt did a certain act towards the commission of the said offence, to wit; falsely presented yourself as Chen Zhijin and Shini Iseul (an Asian) to several unsuspecting victims on several online social media applications in order to cheat them and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law". The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against \them. Following their pleas, the prosecution counsel, M.J. Argungu and defence counsel, S.A Yahaya and Achimugu John Achimugu urged the court to enter the plea bargain agreement between the parties as the judgement of the court. The judge consequently convicted and sentenced Patrick to five years Imprisonment with an option of fine of N150, 000.00. He is also to forfeit the Apple IPhone used as an instrument to perpetrate the crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria through EFCC. Martins was convicted and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment or a fine of N150, 000.00. He was equally ordered to forfeit an LG DVD Home Theatre, Lituan Generator, LG semi-automatic washing machine, MTN wireless local area network, Samsung Galaxy A22 and a 55 inch Samsung TV to the Federal Government of Nigeria through EFCC. Trouble started for the defendants when an Intelligence was \received on their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud. Upon receipt of the report, they were placed under surveillance, leading to their eventual arrest. The press release contains photos of the 419ers: two-convicted-for-investment-internet-fraud-in-kaduna *********************************** 15 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests 7 suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, have arrested a syndicate of 7 suspected internet fraudsters. The suspects, Nnonyelu Favour Chioma, Ajator Henry Sopulu, Ego Andy Seji, Okeke Ikechukwu Jude, Oshioriamite Perfect, Ego Akin and Okeke were arrested on August 12, 2020 in a sting operation at Tunlapal Estate, Kurudu, Abuja. Items recovered from them include mobile phones and computer devices. They will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release contains a photo: efcc-arrests-7-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-abuja **************************************** 15 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests Brothers, 23 Others for Alleged Internet Fraud in Lagos Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 25 suspected internet fraudsters in some parts of Lagos State. The suspects are: Oyewole Damilola, Ovin Adekunle, Ovin Nicholas, Ridwan Iyiola, Aregbesola Tobiloba, Oladosu Saheed, Oseni Omotara, Abel Durotimi, Oyeneye Rilwan Adetola, Omoregbe Destiny Nosa, Evbonaye Olaleye, Adeyemo Abiola, Temitope Ajetonmobi, Dare-Ilori Oreoluwa David, Adekanye Ayodeji Ezekiel, Osagie Harry Odosa and Arowolo Oluwafemi Isaac. Others are: Agbaje Jackson Babatunde, Owolabi Temiloluwa Dominion, Fadipe Biodun Idris, Agbayo Moshood Oriyomi, Sylvester Evans, Oshokoya Olaoluwa Muritalah, Omotoye Collins Oluwaseun and Hassan Abdulwahab Oladimeji. While the quartet of Damilola, Adekunle, Nicholas and Iyiola were arrested on August 10, 2022 at Palmcity Estate, Lekki area of Lagos State, the others were picked up at City-View Estate, Off Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, on August 12, 2022. They were arrested following credible intelligence gathered by the Commission on their alleged involvement in computer- related fraud. Items such as exotic vehicles, laptops and mobile phones were recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest. The suspects have volunteered their statements and will soon be charged to court. efcc-arrests-brothers-23-others-for-alleged-internet-fraud-in-lagos ************************************* 12 AUG 2022 Boutique Owner Jailed 18months for Yahoo-Yahoo in Ilorin, Loses House, to FG Justice Ibrahim Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Friday, August 12, 2022 sentenced a 25-year-old boutique owner, Muhammed Soliu, from Woru, Ilorin East Local Government Area of the State to 18months imprisonment for offences bordering on internet fraud. The judge found Muhammed guilty on the three counts levelled against him by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and consequently pronounced a prison term of 6 months on each count, to run concurrently. Muhammed's journey to prison started on August 2, 2022 when operatives of the EFCC, while acting on intelligence on the infamous activities of some internet fraudsters in Ilorin, traced him to his house located at Oke-Ose area of the metropolis, where he was arrested. Investigation into the case revealed that Muhammed, in the course of his illegal deals benefited over N28million, part of which he used to build a house, establish a boutique and purchase a Toyota Camry car. The defendant pleaded guilty when the three count charges were read to him. Justice Yusuf, while sentencing the convict gave N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) as option of fine on each count. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of a 3- bedroom bungalow located at Yangamu, Oke-Ose, Ilorin; a Toyota Camry Car with registration number KSF 846 HG; 78 pieces of new clothes recovered at his boutique; one standing fan; the sum of N1,482,516.90 (One Million, Four Hundred and Eighty-Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixteen Naira, Ninety Kobo) proceeds of the crime found in the convict's bank account and the two phones, which he used to perpetrate the crime, to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: boutique-owner-jailed-18months-for-yahoo-yahoo-in-ilorin-loses-house-to-fg **************************************** 12 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests 26 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Asaba Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Zonal Command on Thursday, August 11, 2022 arrested 26 suspected internet fraudsters at their hideout in Asaba, Delta State. The suspects are Austin Okolo, Modebe Olisa, Onyemailu Chisom, Igbudy Collins Eloho, Onyema Okwuose, Daniel Idoko Emumena, Chidibele Kelvin, Pius Ikwebe, Azubuike Maxwell Odor, Obaze Justice, Monye Emeka Divine, Okirhienye Oghenetega, Anointed Governor, and Nebeolisa Obinna. Others include Johnson Nnaemeka and Augstine Imunor. Others are Ukazu Henry, Destiny Ikpekpe, Joromi Odoko, Clinton Oletu Emma, Nicholas Brain, Anamali Azuka, Nonye Fimber Dugbele, Nwazi Ebuka, Chmezie Emeka and Onyeje Chuka. Items recovered from them include a Toyota Camry car, two Mercedes Benz C300 cars, mobile phones and laptops. The suspects will be arraigned in court soon. The press release contains photos: efcc-arrests-26-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-asaba *********************************** 12 AUG 2022 Internet Fraud: Corps Member Jailed, Loses House, Car, N.9m to FG in Ilorin A corps member currently serving in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Adetuberu Christopher Adetoyese, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for internet- related fraud offences by Justice Ibrahim Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin. The court, on Thursday, August 11, 2022 found Adetuberu, 28, guilty of the two counts preferred against him by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Justice Yusuf while sentencing Adetuberu ordered the forfeiture of a 3-Bedroom flat acquired with the proceeds of the illegal activities, a Lexus car, different brands of phones and a laptop, which are instruments of the crime as well as the sum N921, 535.49 i n his bank account to the Federal Government. The judge, who however gave the convict an option of fine of N200, 000 said his conviction would serve as deterrence to others. It would be recalled that operatives of the EFCC while acting on intelligence recently arrested Adetuberu, who hailed from Ilesha, Ilesha West Local Government Area of Osun State at Ogele area of Eyenkorin, Ilorin. The convict had in the course of investigation revealed that he ventured into 'Yahoo Yahoo Business' in 2016 and had among other things built a house with the proceeds of the illegal activities. In a related development, Justice Yusuf also sentenced a 30-year-old aluminum fabricator, Olayiwola Tunde Saheed, who acts as ‘Loader’ to co-fraudsters to six months imprisonment at the Correctional Centre in Ilorin without option of fine. Olayiwola, who hails from Olorunda Local Government Area, Oshogbo, Osun State was found guilty of one count charge of possessing funds which he knew to be proceeds of unlawful activities preferred against him by the EFCC. In his judgment, the judge said that he found merit in the prosecution's case adding that the admittance of guilt by the defendant was enough evidence to convict him. Justice Yusuf, while sentencing Olayiwola ordered that the Toyota Camry car recovered at the point of his arrest, his phone and a laptop, which are instruments of the illegal activities be forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains photos: internet-fraud-corps-member-jailed-loses-house-car-n-9m-to-fg-in-ilorin ******************************************* 11 AUG 2022 Man Convicted for Internet Fraud in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on August 11, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of one Stephen Babi Charles before Justice N.U. Sadiq of the Kaduna State High Court for cybercrime. The one count charge reads: "That you, Stephen Babi Charles(aka Sang Hoon Sang) between January and July, 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, attempted to commit an offence and in such an attempt did a certain act towards the commission of the said offence, to wit; falsely presented yourself as Sang Hoon Sang and Joebong (a marine engineer) to several unsuspecting victims on several online social media applications in order to cheat them and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law". The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Justice Sadiq convicted and sentenced the defendant to five months Imprisonment with an option of fine of N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira). He is also to forfeit the Techno Spark phone used to perpetrate the crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria through EFCC. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: man-convicted-for-internet-fraud-in-kaduna ***************************************** 11 AUG 2022 Five Convicted for Internet Fraud in Ibadan The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today, Thursday, August 11, 2022 secured the conviction of five cybercriminals before Justice Iyabo Yerima of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan on separate one count charge of impersonation, contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The convicts are Ojekale Samuel Ayodimeji, Azeez Toheeb Oluwatemilorun, Ayomide Michael Eniola, Adetona Oladimeji Abdulazeez and Shonola Gafar Opeyemi. The charge against the latter reads: "That you, Shonola Gafar Opeyemi 'M' on or about the 16th of June 2022 at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did falsely represent yourself to be Lewa David which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed the offence of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." The charge against Ojekale reads: "That you, Ojekale Samuel Ayodimeji on or about the 16th day of June, 2022 at Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud one Kristin J. Smith falsely represented yourself as Jenifer Wills, a white lady from the United States of America, which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed the offence of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." The charge against Oluwatemilorun reads, "That you, Azeez Toheeb Oluwatemilorun on or about 30th March, 2022, at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, gained an advantage for yourself when you impersonated and represented yourself to be a white American female by the name of Kim Hairby Yvonne from the United States of America and other pretences you knew to be false and thereby committed the offence of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." The charge preferred against Eniola reads: “That you, Ayomide Michael Eniola ‘M’ sometime in May, 2022 at Ibadan, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did falsely represent yourself to be a female who goes by the name Debra Rene Click, from Florida, United States of America and other false representations, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed the offence personation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." The charge against Adetona reads: "That you, Adetona Oladimeji Abdulazeez ‘M’ on or about the 16th of June, 2022 at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did falsely represent yourself to be Dora Maccarty, which representation you knew to be false, thereby committed the offence of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." They pleaded “guilty” to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC. Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Abdulrasheed Lanre Suleiman, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants as charged. Justice Yerima thereafter, convicted and sentenced Ayodimeji, Oluwatemilorun, Eniola and Opeyemi to six months community service each while Abdulazeez bagged three months community service. Also, the convicts were ordered to restitute their victims and forfeit all the items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria. five-convicted-for-internet-fraud-in-ibadan ************************************** 11 AUG 2022 Court Jails Six for Internet Fraud in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of six internet fraudsters before Justices Darius Khobo and N.U Sadiq of the Kaduna State High Court on a one count charge each bordering impersonation, contrary to Section 142 (1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017. The convicts include Hassan Sarki (aka Olivia Logan), Ikani Abdullahi Sani (aka Vegas Smart), Japhtan Alhassan (aka Harry Mack), Hassan Peters Martins (aka Terra Amy John), James Zion Ogah (aka Clara Benjamin) and Vincent Tony (aka Kim Castro). They all pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them. Consequently, the prosecuting counsel, N.Salele, E.M Eimonye, Moses Arumemi, M.J Argungu and M.Lawal urged the courts to convict them accordingly. They were sentenced to various jail terms with option of fines and ordered to forfeit items recovered from them to the Federal Government. court-jails-six-for-internet-fraud-in-kaduna ************************************* 11 AUG 2022 11 Suspected Fraudsters Nabbed in Enugu The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Command on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, arrested 11 suspected internet fraudsters from different locations in Enugu, Enugu state. The suspects are Kelechukwu Victor, Ozo Chiagoziem Justin, Obi Ifechukwu Emmanuel, Chisom Mbachie Camillus, Nnadi Nathan Obiajulu, Promise Eze, Arinze Okoli, Okechukwu Azubuike, Egbo Obinna Dickson, Alumudu Samuel Chinedu and Tobechukwu Ogugua. Items recovered from them include one Toyota Camry with registration number ENU-751- DR, several phones and laptops. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. 11-suspected-fraudsters-nabbed-in-enugu ********************************** 10 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests 22 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 arrested 22 suspected internet fraudsters in Brains and Hammers Estate in the Life Camp area of Abuja. Their arrest followed actionable intelligence received by the Commission on their alleged internet fraud – related activities. The suspects are: Bobo Alfred, George Igbinigie, Olumofin Sandra, Ighalo Emmanuel, John Paul, James Obele, Godwin Dan, Chidi Obele, John Obo, Omoike Godson, Ihonor Maruis, Omoarebun Godstime, Omoarebun Esteem, Okiki Julius, Godwin Omoruyi, Albert Success, Michael Kenny, Raymond Amaechi, Okiki Tombra, Amos Worwei, Soware Evans, Eroesiri Whiskel. Items recovered from them include seven vehicles and several laptops and mobiles phones. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. efcc-arrests-22-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-abuja ******************************* 10 AUG 2022 Bawa Honours Winners of 2021 EFCC Essay Competition… Tasks Awardees to be good The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at the Commission's headquarters in Abuja presented awards to the three winners of the 2021 EFCC Essay competition titled: "How to Fight Economic and Financial Crimes to Make Nigeria Great." The winners, Ehizogie Iyeomoan, an undergraduate student of Law at the Ambrose Ali University Ekpoma, Edo State; Omtoso Abiola Sodiq, an Engineering student of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State and Zeenat Magaji an undergraduate of Cyber Security at the Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, who emerged first, second and third best winner respectively, were among the over 5000 entries received by the Commission. The EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa who lavished encomiums on the winners for distinguishing themselves in the service of the country, admonished other youths to tow the path of honour rather than crime by making Nigeria Great. “We encourage you not only to serve as role models but change agents by shunning all acts of corruption and economic crimes. "It is no use lamenting that things are not right with our country. We are inviting you to invite others to lend a hand in helping us build a society", he said. While assuring that the Commission will painstakingly look into the suggestions as contained in the winning essays, the EFCC Chairman advised the winners to be good ambassadors of the Commission. Bawa also commended the judges for a job well done for being able to arrive at the selection of winners from the over 5000 entries. The EFCC Boss promised to institutionalize the essay competition as an annual event to enable other Nigerians to lend their voices to the anti-graft fight. The five eminent Nigerians from the academia and the media who were carefully selected to screen and assess the over five thousand entries submitted were: Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, Dean, Faculty of Mass Communication, Baze University, Abuja; Dr. Amina Salihu, Senior Programme Officer, MacArthur Foundation, Abuja; Dr. Chido Onumah, Coordinator, African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) Abuja; Mrs. Maupe-Ogun-Yusuf, Editor, Channels TV, Abuja and Mr. Ade Adesomoju, Head, Anti- corruption, Human Rights & Judiciary Desk, Premium Times. The press release contains a photo: efcc-essay-competition-tasks-awardees-to-be-good-ambassadors **************************************** 9 AUG 2022 31 Arrested for Alleged Internet Fraud in Enugu Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters from their hide out at Meniru Agbani Road and Diamond Estate, Enugu State. The suspects are: Daniel Chukwuemeka, Okechukwu Chisom, John Chizoba, Benard Uguochukwu, Nwobodo Christian, Nwiba Chukwuemeka, Eze Ani Ifechukwu, Chikwe James, Emmanuel Chukwuebuka, Ezugwu Chidera, Friday Daniel, Destiny Ekene, Prosper Nnachetam, Justice Chinedu and Bright Chimezie. Others include Ezugu Nkejika, Echi Ikechukwu, Udeh Emeka, Charles Kosisochukwu, Ojinaka Smith, Ekene Chukwuebuka, Efe Samuel, Goodness Ifeanyi, Victory Anointing, Uche Egbo, Onuigbo Kingsley, Okakpu Chukwuemeka, Nnamdi Odo, Mbah Emmanuel, Collins Nweke and Jason Obi. Their arrest was facilitated by actionable intelligence on their cybercrime activities. Items recovered from them include a Mercedes Benz C4000, one Toyota Corolla 2005 model, a Toyota Camry, several mobile phones and laptops. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is completed. The press release contains photos: 31-arrested-for-alleged-internet-fraud-in-enugu ************************************* 9 AUG 2022 Internet Fraudster Bags Jail Term in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today, August 9, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of an internet fraudster, Olamilekan Wasiu Durojaiye, before Justice Mojisola Dada of a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. Justice Dada sentenced the convict to one year imprisonment on a two-count charge bordering on possession of document containing false pretence brought against him by the EFCC. Upon his arraignment today, he pleaded guilty to the offence. One of the counts reads, "that you, Olamilekan Wasiu Durojaiye sometime in 2020 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly had in your possession documents containing false pretence to wit: SCAM FORMAT titled Celebrity Billing Format and committed an offence contrary to section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015". The 2nd count reads, "that you,, Olamilekan Wasiu Durojaiye sometime in 2020 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly had in your possession documents containing false pretence to wit: Chat format wherein you pretended to be a white woman which representation you knew were false and committed an offence contrary to section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015". In view of his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, A.O Mohammed, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered documents to further prove the guilt of the defendant. Justice Dada found him guilty of the offence and sentenced him to one year imprisonment on both counts of the charge. The Judge also granted him an option of fine in the sum of One Million Naira. The convict was also ordered to pay a restitution of Seven Hundred Thousand Naira and forfeit his mobile device to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: internet-fraudster-bags-jail-term-in-lagos *********************************** 9 AUG 2020 EFCC Arrests 8 Internet Fraud Suspect in Port Harcourt Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested eight suspected internet fraudsters. They were nabbed on Tuesday August 9, 2022, in a sting operation at Visa Karina Hotel, located at the New Government Reserved Area, GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The suspects: Mba Richard Oguge, Ogochukwu Ifeanyi Charles, Fredrick Mba, Gospel Uduak James, Charles Chukwuemeka, Daniel Ekanem Daniel, Andikan Udofot and Omolade Fortune, were arrested with incriminating items in their devices (mobile phones, laptop computers and apple wrist watches). Cars were also among the items recovered from them. They will soon be charged to court. The press release includes photos: efcc-arrests-8-internet-fraud-suspect-in-port-harcourt *********************************** 9 AUG 2020 Again, EFCC Busts Yahoo Hideouts, Arrests 18 in Lokoja As part of efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to curb the rising wave of internet related fraud otherwise known as 'Yahoo-Yahoo', the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Commission have again extended its dragnet to Kogi State leading to the arrest of 18 suspected 'Yahoo-Yahoo Boys' in Lokoja, the state capital. This is the second such operation in the State within the last two months. Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, had in June 2022 arrested 19 suspected fraudsters at different locations in Lokoja. The latest arrest, which was made on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 followed actionable intelligence received by the Commission. Among the suspects are two siblings - Bala Caleb Abdulkarim and Ayuba Bala. Others are Adebayo Olubunmi, Yusuf Salawu, Victor Yakubu, Victor Udeh, Abutu Francis, Moses Akeji, Aiyegbe ThankGod, Eniola Adeniji, Abraham Ayodele, Julius Omowale, Samuel Onojah, Saka Usman Ojo, Isaac Emmanuel, Yusuf Mohammed, Ibrahim Musa and Omaonu Ojochenemi Victor. Preliminary investigations have shown that the suspects operate as a syndicate to scam unsuspecting victims. The suspected 'Yahoo-Yahoo Boys', had incriminating items in their possession including five different brands of exotic cars, phones and laptops. They have volunteered statements to the Commission and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations. The press release contains photos: again-efcc-busts-yahoo-hideouts-arrests-18-in-lokoja ******************************** 9 AUG 2022 29 Arrested for Alleged Internet Fraud in Ibadan Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 arrested twenty-nine (29) internet fraud suspects in a sting operation at Omi-Adio area of Ibadan, Oyo State. The suspects are Abdullahi Kehinde Tawab, Ayomide Alase Abiodun, Hassan Larla Olamilekan, Makinde Adebowale Saheed, Tofunmi Oyebade Segun, Rotimi Gbadamosi Ayomide, Igbamidun Joshua Olamiposi, Gbadamosi Samson Tobiloba, Qodir Ayoola Babalola, Frank Obi Ogechukwu, Olawale Abowaba Joshua, Dauda Kareem Oladayo, Hammed Dauda Akanji, Yusuf Akorede Abiodun and Haruna Adedoyin Kayode. Others include Yusuf Lawale Raji, Adejare Ayuba Olamide, Owolabi Gbadamosi Moses, Victor Salami Gbenga, Abdullahi Teslim Taiwo, Oluwaseun Abowaba Samuel, Alase Ayodele Philip, Oduola Kunmi Ireola, Ajayi Olumide Olamilekan, Opeyemi Samuel Enitan, Yusuf Ayobami Qudus, Atanda Jamiu Olamide, Ibrahim Bashit Alade and Ilori Peter Oladapo. Items recovered from them include mobile phones, laptops, two motor-bikes, one i-watch, video games and jewelry. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded The press release includes photos: 29-arrested-for-alleged-internet-fraud-in-ibadan ****************************************** 9 AUG 2022 Court Sends Internet Fraudster to Jail in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on August 8, 2022, secured the conviction of one Yusuf Adetokunbo, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for offence bordering on possession of documents containing false pretence. Adetokunbo was arraigned on a one-count charge dated July 22, 2022, bordering on possession of documents containing false pretenses contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The count reads: "That you, Yusuf Olawale Adetokunbo on or about the 29th April, 2022 at Lagos, within the Ikeja jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with the intent to defraud had in your possession a bundle of fraudulent chats containing false pretence in your Google voice app and email with the name phamhoangcungnai30@gmail.com which pretence you knew or ought to know to be false." He pleaded "guilty" to the charge when it was read to him. The prosecuting counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, thereafter gave a review of the facts. He further tendered in evidence the fraudulent documents printed from his iPhone X and iPhone 6+, as well as a draft of N200,000 issued as restitution by the defendant. There was no objection by the defence counsel, Kayode Oyedele, and they were admitted as Exhibit A and B. "We urge the court to convict the defendant as charged and to forfeit to the Federal Government the items recovered from him," Omewa said. Thereafter, Justice Taiwo convicted him as charged and sentenced him to six months at a Custodial Centre, with an option of N150,000 fine. Items recovered from him were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-sends-internet-fraudster-to-jail-in-lagos ************************************** 8 AUG 2022 EFCC Secures Conviction of Eleven Cybercriminals in Ibadan The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on August 3 and 4, 2022 secured the conviction of eleven (11) cybercriminals on separate charges of fraudulent impersonation before Justices Olusola Adetujoye and Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan. The offences are contrary to Section 419 and 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Law of Oyo State, 2000. Justice Adetujoye convicted and sentenced Fatai Musbau Opeyemi, Ayodele Olumide Sunday, Oribolawa Idris Abiodun, Abdulahi Malek Olaniyi, Onigbinde Rasaq Oyindamola and Emmanuel Victor Mayowa to various jail terms; while Justice Taiwo convicted Moses Oyowevotu Oghenaire, Awwal Babatunde Arekemase, Adewale Ayomipo Owolabi, Yusuf David Olamide and Atitade Hassan Ajao. The defendant pleaded "guilty" to the charges filed against them, leading to their conviction and sentencing. Justice Adetujoye sentenced Oyindamola and Abiodun to six months community service each; Mayowa who was convicted on a two count charge bagged three months jail term while Opeyemi, Sunday and Olaniyi were sentenced to three months community service each. Furthermore, Justice Taiwo sentenced Oghenaire, Arekemase, Owolabi, Olamide and Ajao to six months community service each. Also, the court ordered that the convicts restitute their victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains small photos of all the 419ers: efcc-secures-conviction-of-eleven-cybercriminals-in-ibadan *************************************** 8 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests 3 Internet Fraud Suspects at Ilorin International Airport As part of its renewed onslaught against corruption and illegal movement of cash through the nation’s airports, operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested three internet fraud suspects at the Ilorin International Airport. They are Olawale Ipadeola, Opeyemi Badmus and Wasiu Babatunde. The suspects were arrested on Monday, August 8, 2022 except for Wasiu who was arrested on Saturday, August 6, 2022 following actionable intelligence. Two of the suspects (Olawale and Opeyemi), flew in from Lagos around 1156hours into the waiting hands of the operatives of the EFCC at the airport. Preliminary investigations have shown that the suspects possessed several fraudulent documents on their devices. The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-3-internet-fraud-suspects-at-ilorin-international-airport ************************************** 8 AUG 2022 EFCC Arraigns Man for Job Scam in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, August 8, 2022, arraigned one Ahmed Umar before Justice A.O. Adeyemi Ajayi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama Abuja on a two count charge of cheating and obtaining by false pretense. The defendant allegedly presented himself as a Flying Officer of the Nigerian Air Force and obtained the sum of N300, 000 from one Caleb Ibrahim on the pretext of securing a job for him. One of the counts reads, "that you, Ahmed Umar sometime in 2022 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) from Caleb Ibrahim under the false pretense that you will secure job for him which pretence 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". Another count reads, "that you, Ahmed Umar sometime in 2022 at Abuja, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation, by representing yourself to be a flying officer of the Nigerian Air force, using the Nigerian Air Force Identity Card No. 19SVC: 19/21609 bearing your name Ahmed Umar and obtained the sum of N300,000( Three Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Caleb Ibrahim and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Panel Code, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under section 324 of the same Act." The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charge. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Maryam Hayatudden, prayed the court to remand the defendant at a correctional facility and set a date for trial. Defence counsel, Larry Ademokoya, urged the court to grant the defendant bail. Justice Adeyemi Ajayi, adjourned the matter till August 15, 2022 for hearing on the bail application and remanded the defendant in Kuje Custodial Centre. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arraigns-man-for-job-scam-in-abuja ********************************** 8 AUG 2022 EFCC Charges Parents To Be Role Models In Fight Against Corruption The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has called parents and guardians across the country to live exemplary lives for them to be role models in the fight against corruption. This charge was given in Abuja on Saturday, August 6, 2020 by the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa at the 6th Graduation/Speech and Prize Giving Ceremony of the students of the Nature-Nurtured Basic Academy, Kuje, Abuja. Bawa frowned at parents' involvement, facilitation and commission of economic and financial crimes by their children, in the guise of following the norms of the society and helping them make it in life, stressing that every compromise of right values in children is endorsement of anti-social behaviours. The EFCC boss, who spoke through Superintendent of the EFCC, SE Martha Ojochokutami Eche, gave examples of some corrupt practices among children as internet fraud, examination fraud, impersonation, advance fee fraud and others and advised them to desist from them, urging the family and school systems not to create an environment for students to be corrupt or become comfortable with corrupt practices. Responding, Director of Studies of the school, Bethel Ojobor, expressed appreciation to the EFCC and promised to make the school a breeding ground for anti-corruption soldiers. The Representative of the EFCC Chairman presented awards to teachers and students who exhibited acts of integrity within the session for their bold stance against corruption. Students also had an interactive session answering questions on corruption and showcasing their understanding of the effects of economic and financial crimes on the society. The press release includes a photo: efcc-charges-parents-to-be-role-models-in-fight-against-corruption ************************************* 8 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests 47 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Port Harcourt Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested forty seven (47) suspected internet fraudsters (aka Yahoo Boys). They were arrested in the early hours of Thursday, August 4, 2022 in a sting operation at various locations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The suspects include: Onome Omavuebe Stansley, Progress Ikechukwu, Fejiro Oyawiri, Ifeanyi Louis, Joseph Monday, Ikegwuolu Wogbuom, Chimobi Henry, Victory Erebere, Chiwendu Lucky, Jasson Ovesuor, Miracle Harrison, Favour Prosper Iheancho, Emeji Gad Chinedu, Perculia Ikechukwu, Eze Gift, Chiemela Uzodinma, Chidebere Eze, Bright Umoh, Raphael Akuru, Prince Chris, Hillary Ifeanyi Nwosu, and Destiny Ogueri. Others are Terri Afori, Daniel Atuzie, Justice Nicholas, Victor Nnemeka, Temitope Ezekiel, Anthony Otuke, Nelson Matthew, Adolphus Iheanyi, Omosakin Akinwale, Royal Nicolas, Henry Anthony, Obi Ezekiel, Gift Kalu, Nichael Emmanuel, Chukwuemeka Emeluwe, ThankGod Emmanuel, Nicholas Chibueze, Azubueke Precious, Eze Promise, Diamond Emesin, Tejiro Napoleon, Temple Alalibo, David Christian, Idonesit Ekpo and Martin John Gospel. They were arrested based on an intelligence report on their alleged involvement in internet fraud. Six (6) cars, different brands of phones, laptop computers, still cameras and apple wrist watches were among items recovered from the suspects. They will soon be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release contains a photo: efcc-arrests-47-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-port-harcour ******************************************* 5 AUG 2022 N1.8bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Till September 13 for Judgment The trial of the duo of Ogbor Eliot and Kelvin Chris for an alleged N1.8 billion fraud before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos continued on Friday, August 5, 2022 with the trial judge adjourning till September 13, 2022 for judgement after the prosecution and the defence adopted their final written addresses. The Lagos Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had on Monday, October 22, 2018, arraigned them on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N1.8 billion. They were charged alongside a company, Danium Energy Services Limited, which they are accused to have used to fraudulently deceive Sterling Bank Plc into lending them money through a fraudulent scheme with the pretence to finance Local Purchase Order, LPO for 20,000 Metric Tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, for supply to Total Nigeria Limited. One of the counts reads: "That you, Ogbor Kehinde Eliot, Kelvin Ejere Chris and Danium Energy Services Ltd., sometime in February 2016 in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst yourselves to obtain the sum of N1,820,496,000.00 (One Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand Naira) by false pretence from Sterling Bank Plc." Another count reads: "That you, Ogbor Kehinde Eliot, Kelvin Ejere Chris and Danium Energy Services Ltd, on or about 23rd of February 2016 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, induced Sterling Bank Plc to deliver to Danium Energy Services Ltd the total sum of N1,820,496,000.00 (One Billion, Eight Thousand and Twenty Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand Naira) under the false pretence that Total Nigeria Plc vide Purchase Orders (PO) with Reference No. OPS/SUP/02/16/330 and OPS/SUP/02/331 dated 3rd of February, 2016 contracted Danium Energy Services Ltd to supply 20,000 metric tons of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in two tranches of 10,000 metric tons each valued at the aggregate sum of N2,328,000,000.00 (Two Billion, Three Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million Naira) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act." They pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when they were arraigned. At today’s proceeding, both the counsel for the first, second and third defendants adopted their various final written addresses and unanimously prayed the court to discharge and acquit their respective clients, as they urged the court to hold that the prosecution has not proven the case against them. Adopting the prosecution's final written address in response to those of the defence, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to dismiss the arguments of the defence has lacking in merit and to convict them as charged. "The case against the defendants before your lordship is such that it is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf," he said. Oyedepo further urged the court to take cognisance of the fact that the defendants created an impression that Total Nigeria Plc issued to the defendants local purchase order reference numbers 330 and 331 for the supply of AGO. He said: "These two local purchase orders, gave the impression that Total Nigeria Plc contracted the third defendant to supply to it 10,000 metric tons per each of those LPOs for a particular sum. "And so, the third defendant, armed with these LPOs, contracted Sterling Bank Plc to finance the purported documents emanating from Total." He further noted that the first defendant, was shown by the prosecution is the alter ego of the third defendant. He further added in order to effectively perpetrate the alleged fraud the defendants further forged other documents to deceive the bank into facilitating the said LPOs. He added that in the course of proving its case, the prosecution was able to show documents, in which Total Nigeria Plc refuted that the said LPOs emanated from it. "The prosecution has shown to my lord the LPOs that were forged, and the original of the documents which Total said that the referenced documents in contention were not issued to the third defendant," he said. He therefore urged the court to hold that the prosecution effectively proved the case of conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining by false pretence. After listening to all the parties, Justice Taiwo adjourned the matter till September 13, 2020 "for judgement". The press release contains photos: n1-8bn-fraud-court-adjourns-till-september-13-for-judgment ******************************************** 5 AUG 2022 EFCC Upgrades Eagle Eye App In an attempt to improve the effectiveness of its pioneering online economic and financial crimes reporting application, the Eagle Eye App, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has introduced new features, including an interactive component that addresses the needs of anonymous users seeking updates on their petitions or reports. With the new feature, all that is required for an anonymous petitioner to follow up on a petition is to save the Report ID, then click on Case Update and input the Report ID, which will automatically redirect you to a Chat Screen to either send additional messages or read messages sent by the EFCC regarding your report. The Eagle Eye App which was launched on July 14, 2021 is part of the Executive Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa’s vision of intelligence driven investigation and prosecution of economic and financial crimes. With the application, complainants can report cases from any part of the world in line with the Proceeds of Crime Act 2022 with full assurance of secrecy and anonymity. Eagle Eye App is available on Apple store and Google play store. The press release contains a photo: efcc-upgrades-eagle-eye-app ********************************* 5 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests 5 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Makurdi The operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, August 5, 2022, arrested five (5) suspected internet fraudsters in Makurdi, Benue State. The suspects are Adipe Philip, Akpa Allenxander, Andrew Odokor, Ishegbe Samuel and Peter Ajine. They were arrested in a sting operation in Makurdi following credible intelligence on their alleged involvement in Internet fraud. The items recovered from them include, 2 Hp laptops, 7 mobile phones, power bank, charms and several incriminating documents. The suspects will be charged to Court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release contains a photo: efcc-arrests-5-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-makurdi ****************************************** 5 AUG 2022 Court Convicts Daniel for impersonation The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction of one Daniel Bala Adambu before Justice A. A Bello on one count charge of fraudulent impersonation. The charge reads; "That you, Daniel Bala Adambu ( aka Doctor Mark) on or about the 5th of July, 2022 at New Romi Extension, Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated one doctor on Gmail chatting platform when you made a misrepresentation to one Yvonne Detwiler McCaferry to part with her money to enable you buy a gift card for your daughter and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 142 (1) of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State 2017 and punishable under the same Law". He pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Moses Arumemi, urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly. Justice Bello convicted and sentenced the defendant to a fine of N150,000. He is also to forfeit his iPhone 13 Pro Max to the Federal Government. Daniel, a member of a syndicate operating under a code name "Hustling Kingdom" was arrested at their hideout in the New Romi Extension and Kudenda axis of Kaduna State. The press release includes a photo of the 419er: court-convicts-daniel-for-impersonation ************************************** 5 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests Six Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Benin Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Zonal Command, on Thursday August 4, 2022 arrested six suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City, Edo State. The suspects, Thomas Osigbemen, Kennedy Uwuigbe, Osameda Osazee, Enofe Macaulay, Wilfred Ikhireagie and Osayande Prosper, were arrested at their hideout based on actionable intelligence on their alleged criminal activities. Items recovered from the suspects are phones, laptops and cars - 2 Lexus RX350, 2 Lexus E5 330, Mercedes Benz GLK 350, Mercedes Benz CLA 250, Toyota 4 Runner, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Avensis The suspects have made useful statements and will be arraigned in court soon. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-six-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-benin **************************************** 5 AUG 2022 One Bags 14 Years imprisonment as EFCC Secures 14 Convictions for Internet Fraud in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentencing of 14 persons before Justices Darius Khobo and A.A Bello of the Kaduna State High Court on charges of impersonation, Internet and cybercrime. The convicts are Hammed Olamilekan (aka James Wright), Shina Victor (aka Alecia Moore Pink), Isaac Garba Amos (aka Jeong Ho), AbdulSalam Isiaka (aka. America Smith), Ahmed AbdulRazak (aka Romilda Carlos), Nnabuihe Micheal ( aka Wayne Henderson,Leonard Maxine, Alex issued Lea and Deanne Manly), Bemu Edward David (aka Mike Alexander Valencia), Bemu Eric Praise (aka Lila Anderson), Destiny Maikarfi (aka Dfb-Hack and Rockunlockz), Paul Adebayo, Ambrose Eden Onyemaechi (aka Hugh Jackman), Kamaldeen Abdullahi (aka Amelia Ralf), Collins Mitchell Ojonye (aka Derrick Richie) and Jeremiah Ogbe Emmanuel, Samuel Anakaa and Daniel Saka. The defendants who were arrested at various hideouts around the Barnawa, Gbagyi Villa, Unguwan Romi New Extension and Kudenda axis of Kaduna were all found to have defrauded foreign nationals, mostly American and Chinese, through phantom romantic relationships, after assuming the identities of Hollywood celebrities, medical personnel, computer engineer. The offence contravenes Section 142 (1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006. They all pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them prompting the Prosecuting Counsel N.Salele, E.K Garba, M.E Eimonye, M. Arumemi, YJ Matiyak, M. Lawal and PC. Onyeneho, to ask the courts to convict the defendants accordingly. While Hammed was convicted to 14 years imprisonment on two counts without any option of fine, others were convicted and sentenced to different years of imprisonment or fines. They are to forfeit all the proceeds of crime which include phones, electronic gadgets, furniture, kitchen equipment and monies to the Kaduna State and Federal Government. one-bags-14-years-imprisonment-as-efcc-secures-14-convictions-for-internet-fraud-in-kaduna *************************************** 5 AUG 2022 EFCC, US Train EFCC Operatives and Justice Ministry Officials on Cybercrime Investigation, Prosecution The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in collaboration with the US Department of Justice, DoJ, on Thursday, August 4, 2022 concluded a 4-day training progranme on cybercrime and crypto-currency investigation for operatives of the Commission and staff of the Federal Ministry of Justice at the EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja. The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was represented by Deputy Commandant, Training, EFCC Academy, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE Babashani Umar Sanda, said the programme was designed to improve the synergy between the Commission and the Ministry of Justice and expose the participants to current trends in cybercrime investigation and prosecution. Anand Ramaswamy, Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice and a resource person at the programme, said the essence of the training is to improve the capacity of the investigators and prosecutors in case building and prosecution with a view to achieving convictions and denying criminals the benefits of their proceeds of crime. "What we hope to gain is to build the skills of investigators and prosecutors so they can bring good cases to Court, get convictions and deny the criminal’s the opportunity to enjoy the proceeds of their crime," he said. Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Justice, Terlumun George-Maria Tyendezwa said the training will ensure greater synergy and cooperation between investigators and prosecutors. "We also expect that there is going to be an understanding of the methods and tools that will allow investigators to get the requisite electronic evidence and subscriber information they need from service providers to carry on their investigations. Of course, the bottom line is that this will translate into a better investigation and prosecution," he said. The Officers were exposed to various topics such as introduction to cybercrime, gathering of electronic evidence, open source intelligence, crypto currency and dark web, developing strategies of prosecuting cybercrime cases, etc. The press release includes a photo: efcc-us-train-efcc-operatives-and-justice-ministry-officials-on-cybercrime-investigation-prosecution ********************************************* 4 AUG 2022 Court Sends Two Internet Fraudsters to Jail in Benin The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on August 4, 2022 secured the conviction of Awopetu Gbolahan Emmanuel and Johnbull Kingsley before Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court, Benin City. Kingsley was arraigned on one count charge of possession of documents containing false pretenses and misrepresentation, while Emmanuel was arraigned for making false statement to an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The charge against Kingsley reads: "that you, Johnbull Kingsley on the 23rd day of May, 2022 in Benin, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did knowingly have in your possession documents containing false pretenses and misrepresentation and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under the section 8 read together with section 1(3) of the same Act". The charge against Emmanuel reads: “that you, Awopetu Gbolahan Emmanuel on or about the 8th day of June, 2022 at No 1 Court Road, GRA Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did make statement in writing which you knew to be false to an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the course of his duties as an officer of the Commission and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 39(2)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under section 39(2) (b) of the same Act". The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective counts prompting the prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants, A.S. Akinfolarin pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions. Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Emmanuel to two years imprisonment while Kingsley bagged one year imprisonment. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the defendants’ phones, wristwatches and laptops, being proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC. The press release contains photos of the 419ers: court-sends-two-internet-fraudsters-to-jail-in-benin ********************************************* 4 AUG 2022 EFCC Warns Real Estate Operators on Fraudulent Use of Premises The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned real estate operators, landlords and property managers in the country to desist from renting out, leasing or selling properties to individuals that do not comply with the "Know Your Customer", KYC policy. This warning was given in Ibadan on July 30, 2022 by the Ibadan Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE Kanu Idagu while addressing a Town Hall meeting with members of the Kolapo Ishola Government Reservation Area, GRA, Residents Association, held at Rolat Event Centre, Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State. According to him, "one major regulatory concept that was set up by the government to uphold and maintain the standard of conducting business and sanitizing the economy is the concept of KYC and it simply means Know Your Customer. This has become a regulatory mandate, which requirement is not only limited to the private sector but to all sectors of the Nigerian economy with the primary objective of mitigating fraud". Idagu, who spoke through Head, Extractive Industry Fraud Section, EIFS, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Oluwasegun Oloruntuyi stressed the need for real estate operators to verify, monitor and report any suspicious activities in their premises to the Commission as this will help curb and combat all fraud schemes, money laundering and terrorism financing. He further reiterated the stance of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa regarding the use of premises for fraudulent activities, stressing that the law shall take its course whenever individuals fail to comply with Section 3 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, which states that, "a person who, being the occupier or is concerned in the management of any premises, causes or knowingly permits the premises to be used for any purpose which constitutes an offence under this Act commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 15 years and not less than 5 years without the option of a fine". Idagu commended the Association for its deliberate efforts and role played in sensitizing and enlightening the public on the fight against corruption. The EFCC, he says, is aware "of the role played by the real estate operators and property managers as major stakeholders in the fight against crimes and corruption. Hence, it is crucial to further collaborate in creating more awareness and enlightenment campaigns on the positive roles expected from every Nigerian". Responding, Chairman of the Association, Barrister Olalekan Thanni thanked the EFCC for gracing the event, while emphasizing the commitment of his members to ensure that the government has adequate information on every citizen who resides in Nigeria. "The synergy between the Association and the EFCC will help reduce crime rate and make the Commission a pacesetter", he said. The press release includes a photo: efcc-warns-real-estate-operators-on-fraudulent-use-of-premises ************************************** 4 AUG 2022 EFCC Nabs 'Yahoo Corps Member', Two Others Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested one Adetuberu Christopher Adetoyese, a corps member currently serving in Ogbomosho, Oyo State over offences bordering on cyber-fraud in Ilorin, Kwara State. Adetuberu, 28, who hails from Ilesha, Ilesha West Local Government Area of Osun State was arrested at Ogele area of Eyenkorin, Ilorin. The suspect’s arrest followed credible intelligence on the activities of fraudsters otherwise known as "Yahoo-Yahoo Boys" within Ilorin metropolis and its environs. Items recovered from the suspect at the point of arrest include a Lexus Car with registration number RBC 126 BJ, Laptop, iPhone 11 Pro Max and Samsung S9 Plus. In the course of investigation, Adetuberu revealed that he ventured into 'Yahoo Yahoo Business' in 2016 and had among other things built a house and sponsored himself in school with the proceeds of the illegal activities. The operatives of the EFCC, in another operation also arrested two other suspected fraudsters at different locations within Ilorin metropolis. The suspects are Muhammed Soliu from Woru, Ilorin East local Government Area, Kwara State and Olayiwola Tunde Saheed, an aluminum fabricator from Olorunda, Oshogbo Local Government Area of Osun State. Upon interrogation, Muhammed, 25, confessed that he joined 'Yahoo-Yahoo business' in 2020 and specialized in dating/love scam. According to him, he had bought a Toyota Camry car with registration number KSF 846 HG worth N2.7million and built a house with the proceeds of the illegal activities, In the same token, Olayiwola, 30, who claimed to be a 'Loader' in the 'Yahoo-Yahoo business' confessed to have bought a Toyota Camry car worth over N2million with the proceeds of the alleged crime. The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the ongoing investigations. efcc-nabs-yahoo-corps-member-two-others *************************************** 3 AUG 2022 Cybercrime: Court Convicts One in Ibadan The Ibadan Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, July 29, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of one Olaniyi Roqueeb Ajibola before Justice Bayo Taiwo of the State High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on one count charge which bordered on impersonation, an offence contrary to Section 484 and 419 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. Upon his arraignment, he pleaded "guilty" to the charge filed against him by the EFCC. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel reviewed the facts of the case, tendered both the confessional statements and documents recovered from the defendant and urged the court to convict and sentence him as charged. Justice Taiwo, taking into account the evidence presented against the defendant, convicted and sentenced Olaniyi to six months community service. He was ordered to restitute his victim and forfeit all recovered items to the Federal Government. The press release includes a photo of the 419er: cybercrime-court-convicts-one-in-ibadan ****************************************** 3 AUG 2022 EFCC Convicts Electrician for Romance Scam The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Wednesday, August 3, 2022, secured the conviction of one Shittu Taiwo before Justice Darius Khobo on a one count charge. The charge reads; "That you, Shittu Taiwo (aka York Exchange) between June and July, 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, attempted to commit an offence and in such an attempt did a certain act towards the Commission of the said offence, to wit; falsely presented yourself as York Exchange ( a white woman) to several unsuspecting victims on several online social media applications in order to cheat them and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law". He pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecution counsel, M.E Eimonye, to ask the court to convict the defendant accordingly. Justice Khobo convicted and sentenced the defendant to 5 years imprisonment with an option of fine of N100, 000,00. He is also to forfeit his Nokia G10 Android phone to the Federal Government. The 35-year- old married man with two wives and three kids, got into trouble for impersonating a female foreigner on social media in an attempt to lure unsuspecting white men into romantic relationships with a view to defrauding them of their hard-earned money. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: efcc-convicts-electrician-for-romance-scam ************************************* 3 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests 17 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Lagos Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, arrested 17 suspected internet fraudsters. The suspects are Ogunnowo Aderosola, Adebesin Adeyinka, Nkeokelonye Stanley Ifeanyi, Afolabi Babatunde Oluwaseun, Onyeka Nwokoro, Micheal Adedayo Owolabi, Musah Esosa Hakeem, Osim Happiness, Sanusi Timilehin Olawale, Sanusi Timilehin Rasak, Emmanuel Obogo Adeja, Ogunnowo Eniola, Idahosa Samuel Osas, Alabi Ajekola Peter, Timilehin Damilola Emmanuel, Egbuno Ifeanyi Favour and Jimoh Oluwapelumi Ibrahim. They were arrested in a sting operation at Kay-Farm Estate, Ishaga axis of Lagos State following credible intelligence on the activities of members of an Organised Cybercrime Syndicate Network who are into internet fraud. Various items such as cars, mobile devices, and laptops were recovered upon their arrest. The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-17-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos ************************************* 2 AUG 2022 Josiah Bags Five Months Jail term for Internet Fraud in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC today, August 2, 2022, secured the conviction of one Samuel Josiah before Justice Darius Khobo on one count charge of criminal impersonation. The charge reads, "That you, Samuel Josiah (aka Katherine Sophia) sometime in November, 2021 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit; cheating by impersonation wherein you falsely represented yourself as Katherina Sophia ( a female citizen of the United State of America) and in such assumed identity induced unsuspecting members of the public to part with $500 USD ( Five Hundred United States Dollars) 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. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, N. Salele, urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly. Justice Khobo convicted and sentenced the defendant to 5 months imprisonment without an option of fine. Josiah's journey to prison began when he was arrested in a sting operation in the Gbagyi Villa axis of Kaduna, after intelligence reports linked him to a syndicate of internet fraudsters. Upon arrest, several incriminating materials were found on him. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: josiah-bags-five-months-jail-term-for-internet-fraud-in-kaduna **************************************** 1 AUG 2022 N2.9m Fraud: Courts Admits Evidence Against Defendant, Adjourns Till August 16 The trial of one Ladeji Babatunde before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for offence bordering on obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N2.9 million continued on Monday, August 1, 2022 with the trial judge delivering ruling on his trial-within -trial as the court admit in evidence the statement of the defendant. Babatunde who was first arraigned in December 2021, is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a four-count charge. One of the counts reads: "Ladeji Kelvin Babatunde on or about 19th - 22nd February 2021 at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N1,500,000 (One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only from one Chijioke Mmadubue and his syndicate of internet fraudsters based at Chevron axis of Lekki, Lagos under the false pretence that you will protect them from arrest by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which representation you knew to be false." Another count reads: "Ladeji Kelvin Babatunde on or about 18th March 2021 at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N800,000 (Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) only from one Jacob, an internet fraudster under the false pretence that you will help with his case at office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which representation you knew to be false." He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges In the course of the trial, when the prosecuting counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, sought to tender in evidence the statement of the defendant through the prosecution's witness, Bot Dachung Toma, the defence raised objection arguing that the statement was made involuntarily. The objection necessitated the need for a trial within trial. Delivering ruling on the trial-within-trial, Justice Taiwo held that "no act of torture was established". The court thereafter admitted the statement as Exhibit C1 to C13 as the EFCC closed its case against the defendants Continuing with his testimony, Toma, told the court that the EFCC received a petition against the defendant alleging that he was going about posing as an official of the EFCC and using the guise to extort money from suspected internet fraudsters. "We investigated the petition and found out that he was actually impersonating EFCC officials and going around the city collecting money that he will help them not to get arrested," he said. He further testified that money was traced to his bank account, and that it is believed that the extorted funds formed part of the money he used to build a house in Ogun State. The prosecution thereafter closed its case. The matter has been adjourned till August 16, 2022 for defence to open its case. The press release contains a photo: n2-9m-fraud-courts-admits-evidence-against-defendant-adjourns-till-august-16 ******************************************** 1 AUG 2022 Fake American Actor, Five Others Sent to Jail in Benin for Internet Fraud Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Monday, August 1, 2022, convicted and sentenced six internet fraudsters to jail for fraud. The convicts are Emejom Jude Chinomso, Okolie Collins, Hezekiah Oghenekume, Musa Dauda, Akinselure Adebayo and Obafemi Oluwatosin. They were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of EFCC on separate one count charges bordering on impersonation, intent to defraud and making false statements to the EFCC. The charge against Akinselure Adebayo reads: "that you, Akinselure Adebayo on or about the 8th day of June, 2022 at No 1 Court Road, GRA Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did make false statement in writing to an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the course of his duties as an officer of the Commission as to the ownership of a 2008 Toyota Camry with registration number: ABU 219 GF which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 39(2)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment ) Act, 2004 and punishable under section 39 (2) (b) of the same Act". The charge against Okolie Collins reads: "that you, Okolie Collins between 2020 and 2021 in Abudu, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Alex Lougwin, an actor and American citizen on Facebook platform and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976". The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC prompting the prosecution, Francis Jirbo, I. N. Elodi and K. U. Udus to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants, Emmanuel Okorie, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have been remorseful for their actions. Justice Ikponwonoba convicted and sentenced Collins and Chinomso to two years imprisonment with option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira and Three Hundred Thousand Naira fine respectively. The duo of Adebayo and Dauda bagged one year imprisonment with an option of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine Oghenekume was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine while Emmanuel got one year imprisonment or a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira The judge also ordered that a 2008 Toyota Camry car recovered from Adebayo be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Other items including mobile phones and Laptop computers recovered from the defendants are also to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The defendants are to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth. The press release contails photos of the 419ers: fake-american-actor-five-others-sent-to-jail-in-benin-for-internet-fraud **************************************** 1 AUG 2022 EFCC Arrests 24 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Lagos Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested 24 suspected internet fraudsters. The suspects are, Kelvin Essen, Michael Ekene, Steve Ochanogor, Olatujoye Samuel, Ohaeme Samuel , George Emeka , Adenigbo Igbola, Famugiloh Hakeem, Samuel Elohor , Michael Ugochukwu, Olumide Olalekan, Ayomipo David, Adulawo Oladipupo Victor and Okenwa Emeka Okobi. Others include Adeyanju Olamide Blessing, Temi Simon, Elias Andrew Ogbe, Elvis Akuya, Onyebuchi Chisom, Abraham Nnana, Nwune Fortune, Golden Felix, Azeez Ola and Sushi Christian. They were arrested on July 28, 202,2 at Silver Spring Estate, Agungi, Lagos following credible intelligence on the activities of some members of an Organized Cybercrime Network who are into computer-related fraud. Upon their arrest, exotic cars, mobile devices and laptops were recovered from them. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. efcc-arrests-24-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos ********************************* 1 AUG 2022 Nine Convicted for Cyber-fraud in Ibadan An Oyo State High Court, Ibadan on Friday, July 29, 2022 convicted and sentenced nine cybercriminals to six months community service each for impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, contrary to Section 484 and 419 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The convicts are Lateef Adedeji Sulaiman, Iliasu Azeez Olajuwon, Adebanji Ayomide Idowu, Joseph Timileyin Evbosaru, Ademola Azeez Taiwo, Hassan Warith Ademola, Idowu Babatunde Awojulu, Olagoke Olalekan Bayo and Victor John Enya. Upon their arraignments on one count charge each before Justice Bayo Taiwo, they all pleaded “guilty” to the charges filed against them by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. In view of their pleas, prosecution Counsel, Chidi Okoli and Shamsuddeen Bashir prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Consequently, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced them to six months community service each. Also, the court ordered the convicts to restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria. nine-convicted-for-cyber-fraud-in-ibadan ********************************** 29 JUL 2022 EFCC Return N3.7m to UK-Based Fraud Victim The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has returned a sum of N3.7million recovered from fraudsters to the victim, 72-year-old Ms Judith Edewor who is based in the United Kingdom. Making the presentation on Thursday July 28, 2022, in Benin, Edo State, the Zonal Commander, Usman Muktar, said, "The Commission will continue to discharge its duties professionally, ensure that fraudsters are brought to book and victims of fraud are restituted where possible". A draft of N2 million was presented to John Uwanogho, brother to Edewor. The Commission had earlier presented a draft of N1.7million to the victim. The Zonal Commander who was represented by Usman Zakari, Head, Bank Fraud Section, said the Commission will not rest on its laurels in its efforts to rid the society of fraudsters. Uwanogho commended the Commission for bringing succour to his sister. Edewor was defrauded after she joined a religious group which claimed it was into charity through social media. She was later hoodwinked into sending money for a non-existent investment scheme. The retiree said she was pressured to borrow £4000 to add to the £1000 she had saved, which she sent to the fake charity. Investigation revealed that the fraudster who presented 'herself' as a prophetess in order to defraud Edewor, turned out to be a man. He has confessed to the crime and would be arraigned in court soon. The press release includes a photo: efcc-return-n3-7m-to-uk-based-fraud-victim 419 Coalition comment: We love press releases that cover victims being verifiably restitited their losses. *********************************** 29 JUL 2022 Internet Fraud: Two Kwara Workers in Trouble over Disappearance of Defendants Two employees of Kwara State Government, Adenigba M. Olusola, an employee of the State Judicial Service Commission and Bisiriyu Abdulfatai, a staff of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), who stood as sureties for suspects being investigated by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for internet- related fraud offences have incurred the wrath of the Court over their failure to produce the suspects for trial. Adenigba stood as surety for one Amaechi Umenye and Adeyemi Adedeji, while Bisiriyu stood for Dawodu Olusoji. The two civil servants had made an undertaking to produce the defendants who are now at large each time they were needed by the anti-graft agency. The trio of Amaechi, Adeyemi and Dawodu were amongst the thirty suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State sometime in 2020 by the EFCC for alleged internet fraud. As investigations progressed in the matter, both Adenigba and Bisiriyu wrote separate bail applications to the Ilorin Zonal Commander of the EFCC, entered bail bonds and promised to produce the defendants anytime their attention was needed. The suspects after their release, jumped the administrative bail granted them by the Commission while the sureties also could not produce them. Consequently, the Commission approached Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court for the sureties to show cause why the bail bond should not be forfeited or the sureties committed to prison. Delivering ruling on the applications on Thursday, July 28, 2022, Justice Akinpelu agreed with the submission of the EFCC lawyers - Sesan Ola and Andrew Akoja that the two Kwara Civil Servants should forfeit their bail bond. The court ordered Adenigba (surety to Amaechi) to forfeit the recognizance of N5million and remit the sum of N4.5million thereon, but pay the sum of N500,000 within 3 months or be committed to six months in prison in the event he failed to pay the said sum . On Adeyemi’s case, the Judge ordered Adenigba to forfeit the recognizance of N1million and remit the sum of N750, 000 thereon, but pay the sum of N250,000 within three months or be committed to prison for five months in the event he failed to pay the said sum. For Bisiriyu, who stood as surety for Dawodu, Justice Akinpelu ordered the surety to forfeit the recognizance of N3million and remit the sum of N2million thereon, while he was ordered to pay N1million within three months or be committed to six months in prison in the event he failed to pay the said sum. The press release includes photos: internet-fraud-two-kwara-workers-in-trouble-over-disappearance-of-defendants **************************************** 29 JUL 2022 EFCC Nails 9 Cyber Fraud Suspect in Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Abuja Zonal Command, have arrested 9 suspected internet fraudsters. They are Kalu Kennedy Ndukwe, Onyenso Emmanuel, Richard Yakubu, Haruna Abubukar, Peter Ukabam, Godwin Peters, Usman Garba Haruna, Nwani Chukwuma and Kabiru Shehu. The suspects were arrested today, July 28, 2022, at FO1 Area of Kubwa, Abuja following intelligence reports on their alleged criminal activities. Various items were recovered from the suspects including laptops and phones. They will be charged to court once investigations are concluded. The press release contains a photo: efcc-nails-9-cyber-fraud-suspect-in-abuja ******************************************* 28 JUL 2022 EFCC Arrests 13 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Port Harcourt Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 13 suspected internet fraudsters. They were nabbed in the early hours of Thursday, July 28, 2022, in a sting operation at various locations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The Thirteen (13) suspects are: Austin Fama, Victor Lucky, Victor Apugo, Emeka Chukwu, Tariesi Ego, Best Okon Akpan, Kenneth Ekeke, Divine Umoh, Abasii Bianuake, Life Attai, Daniel Assor, Orji Michael Kelechi and John Amadi. Their arrests followed actionable intelligence received by the Commission on their alleged involvement in internet fraud. Items recovered from them include cars, mobile phones of different brands, ATM Cards and Laptop computers. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-13-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-port-harcourt ***************************************** 28 JUL 2022 23 Internet Fraud Suspects Nabbed in Enugu Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested twenty three (23) suspected internet fraudsters. They were arrested on July 27, 2022 at different locations in Enugu State on the strength of intelligence reports linking them to various internet related fraud. The suspects include Onwe Nnaemeka Caleb, Onwe Onyekachi Prince, Chukwuma Boniface, Chika Eze, Eze Ambrose, Ogbodo Chisom Francis, Elochukwu Nkemakolam, Collins Igiliegbe Chizoba, Johnbosco Onyedika Ilechukwu, Okeke Michael, Mamus Rex Brume, Obidinma Henry Ogboke, Ozoeze Henry Amobi and George Onovo. Others are: Kenechukwu ThankGod, Albert Nkemakolam, John Elechukwu, Ifeanyi Miracle Egbo, Umunnakwe Tobias Uchenna, Collins Okolo Tochukwu,Lucky Ekeh Chinedu and Emmanuel Chiemenie. Items recovered from them include one Toyota Camry car with registration number: ENU-980-HM, one Mercedes Benz E350 with registration number: BBG-988-AE, one Mercedes Benz C300 with registration number: UWN-316, a Toyota with registration number: UWN-312-GU, one Toyota Corolla with registration number: UWN 77399, one Lexus with registration number: ENU -664-TT, several mobile phones and laptops. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. 23-internet-fraud-suspects-nabbed-in-enugu ****************************************** 27 JUL 2022 Court Jails Undergraduate 12months for Cheating, Personation in Kwara Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 convicted a 23-year-old student of Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna, Niger State, one Mohammed Bello, for offences bordering on cheating by personation. Bello, who claimed to hail from Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State allegedly posed as a white female with intent to defraud unsuspecting victims The defendant was prosecuted on two-count charge by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. On April 22, 2022, the EFCC while acting on credible intelligence arrested Bello alongside other suspected fraudsters at Agric Estate, Sango area of Ilorin, Kwara State. The defendant did not only admitted to committing the crime, but pleaded guilty to the charge upon arraignment. Following his guilty plea, counsel to the EFCC, Andrew Akoja, reviewed the facts of the case through a witness, an operative of the Commission who tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendant, one apple iPhone Xr and fraudulent messages printed from his device. Akoja urged the court to hold that the prosecution had established the necessary ingredients of the alleged crime against the defendant to warrant his conviction. Justice Akinpelu, while relying on the evidence before the court said that she was convinced that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and pronounced Bello guilty of the offence. Consequently, the judge sentenced the defendant to six-months imprisonment with N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) as option of fine on count one and six months imprisonment with N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) as option of fine on count two. Additionally, Justice Akinpelu ordered the forfeiture of the apple iPhone Xr, which was used to perpetrate the crime and the sum of $25 (Twenty-Five United States Dollars) which the convict benefited from the unlawful activities to the Federal Government. court-jails-undergraduate-12months-for-cheating-personation-in-kwara *************************************** 26 JUL 2022 EFCC Arrests Six Internet Fraud Suspects in Benue Operatives of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Command on Saturday, July 23,2022, arrested six suspected internet fraudsters at Amichi Hotel in Orokam, Benue State . The suspects are: Idoko Emmanuel Ofu, Abbah Ogbaah, Idoko James Peter, Aduma James Oche, Ito James and Atayi Daniel. They were nabbed following intelligence reports on their alleged cybercrime activities. Items recovered from them include two Mercedes Benz GLK 350, one Mercedes Benz C300, several mobile phones, one international passport and one Apple laptop. Preliminary investigations carried out by the EFCC linked two semi detached duplexes in a private estate at Life Camp, Abuja worth over Fifty-Six Million Naira (N56, 000,000) to two of the suspects. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is completed. The press release includes photos: efcc-arrests-six-internet-fraud-suspects-in-benue ******************************************** 26 JUL 2022 EFCC Arrests Suspected Yahoo-Yahoo Boys in Makurdi The operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, arrested two (2) suspected internet fraudsters known as Yahoo-Yahoo Boys, in Makurdi, Benue State. The suspects are Ikenna Ojobeagu, 22 and Martins Ezeorah, 24, both from Igbo Etiti local Government Area of Enugu State. The suspects who claimed they are sports betting agents, were arrested following actionable intelligence. Items recovered from them include one Lexus ES 350, 5 smartphone phones, 6 different types of laptop computers, charms, 62 inches Hisense TV and several incriminating documents. The suspects will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigations are concluded. The press release contains a photo: efcc-arrests-suspected-yahoo-yahoo-boys-in-makurdi ******************************************** 26 JUL 2022 Nasarawa Court Sends Five Yahoo Boys to Jail for Defrauding Foreigners The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Abuja Zonal Command has secured the conviction and sentencing of five internet fraudsters before Justice N.I. Afolabi of the Federal High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The convicts are Francis Chukwuka Okwechime, Olaniyi Odunayo Precious, Israel Stephen Auta, Oluwabori Azeez Rafiu and David Stephen. They were convicted on one count charge each bordering on internet related fraud. Okwechime fraudulently impersonated one Joseph Michael, an American soldier to defraud one Molly of $350 (Three Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars), while Olaniyi sent electronic messages with the intent to defraud one Samuel Mayona. Similarly, Israel pretended to be Ivy Jordan, an American, with the intent to defraud unsuspecting internet users while Oluwabori, using various social media apps, impersonated John Albert and Raymond Lee from Singapore to gain advantage to himself. Just as Stephen impersonated one Major_hack007 with the intent to defraud innocent internet users. They all pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them. In view of their pleas, Justice Afolabi sentenced Olaniyi and Stephen to two years imprisonment with the option of fine of N150, 000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) respectively. Israel and Oluwabori both bagged six months prison term and a fine of N50, 000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) each, while Okwechime was sentenced to a fine of N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira). The Court further ordered that Olaniyi forfeits the proceeds of crime including an Infinix Note 10 mobile phone to the Federal Government. nasarawa-court-sends-five-yahoo-boys-to-jail-for-defrauding-foreigners ***************************************** 26 JUL 2022 Court Sends Internet Fraudster to Three Years Imprisonment in Benin The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on July 25, 2022, secured the conviction of one Samson Shakore before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court, Benin City, Edo State. Shakore was arraigned on one count charge of retaining the proceeds of illegal conduct. The charge against him reads: "that you, Samson Shakore sometime between 1st January, 2018 to 31st December 2018 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the aggregate sum of Ninety-four Million, Fifty-five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-one Naira ( N94,055,941.00) in your Zenith bank account no: 100592587 knowing that same represent proceeds of your criminal conduct to wit: cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17 (a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment ) Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 17 (b) of the same Act." Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge prompting the prosecution counsel, I.K.Agwai, to ask the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Shakore to three years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira fine The judge also ordered that the sum of N366,925.74 being balance in his Zenith bank account be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria and that the account be closed. The defendant is also to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-sends-internet-fraudster-to-three-years-imprisonment-in-benin ********************************************** 25 JUL 2022 EFCC Secure 37 Internet Fraud Convictions in Enugu The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in two days, Tuesday July 19, 2022 and Thursday July 22, 2022, secured thirty seven (37) internet fraud convictions. The convictions were recorded by the Enugu Zonal Command before Justice I.M Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu. The convicts are: Uchechukwu Ani, Nnamdi Ugwu, Ikechukwu Emmanuel Ebube, Chijioke Christian, Obaji Charles Imoke, Nwafor Victor Somkenechukwu,Chibuzor Okeke, Samuel Great, Ukandu Benedict, Augustine Akpos Austin, Chinwendu Okoh, Nnamdi Moses Tochukwu, Eze Onyebuchi Hillary, Emmanuel Alex Akwakolam, Chiemerie Samuel, Nwaojeh Emeka, Somtochi Collins Eze and Dike Emmanuel Chidiebere. Others are: Chukwudi Okeke, Enete Ontekachi Gideon, Obeta Ifeanyi, Utoatuonu Osita, Ejiofor Okwuchukwu, Somtochuchukwu Promise Ezeanyagu, Ifeanyi Joseph Ikeh, Azuka Michael, Nnaemeka Ejebu, Edafe menford Odio, Emmanuel Chika Eneanya, Markanthony Emeka Akabuike, Chinemerem David Egwuatu, Arinze Maduka Samuel, Okeke Oluebube, Christian Ifesinachi Okoye, Awanya Jidechukwu, Ugwuagbo Stephen Nnaemeka and Obi Chinedu Edison. They were prosecuted on separate one count charges bordering on criminal impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences. The charge against one of the convicts, Chibuzor Okeke, reads, "That you, CHIBUZOR OKEKE sometime in July 2022 in Ifite Isu, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court impersonated by presenting yourself as Dolores, a Brazilian woman who is a specialist in crypto currency investment to one Zafar, a Turkish National on Telegram using your Redmi10s Phone and by so doing did obtain the sum of ($1,500) One Thousand Five Hundred American Dollars by false pretences and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(3)(a)(b) and punishable under Section 22(4) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, 2015." All the convicts pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them. Justice Buba convicted and sentenced them to one year imprisonment with an option of One Million Naira Fine each. The court ordered that their mobile phones be sold and the proceeds remitted to the Treasury Single Account of the Federal Government. efcc-secure-37-internet-fraud-convictions-in-enugu ****************************************** 25 JUL 2022 34 Internet Fraud Suspects Arrested in Ibadan Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 34 suspected internet fraudsters. Twenty one of the suspects were arrested today, Monday, July 25, 2022 in a sting operation at Apete and Ijokodo areas of Ibadan, Oyo state. The suspects include: Paul Uche Obinna, Ola Kareem, Dazumi Hammed Adeiza, Olamilekan Gabriel Ahmed, Olowe Nifemi Michael, Osisi Ikenna Nicholas, Dazumi Abdullahi Razak, Adejuyigbe Abayomi Babatunde, Adesokan Afeez Afolabi, Tobiloba Joshua Adejuyi, Dazumi Azeez Jayeola, Ayegbusi Olamilekan Micheal and Mubarak Salaudeen Opeyemi. Others are Ibrahim Muhammed Hassan, Salam Ademola Samson, David Sunday Chukwudi, Kolapo Abdulrazak Seyi, Lawal Adesina Sheriff, Faeji Tobiloba Raphael, Bello Ibrahim Damilola and Abisoye Israel Olamilekan. The remaining 13 suspects were arrested on Friday, July 22, 2022, at Airport Road, Alakia and Ologuneru, Ibadan. The suspects are Salami Ayo Wisdom, Afeez Sode Gbolahan, Abdulkadiri Ojo Adams, Awe Olabiyi Omotayo, Adeniyi Auwal Tomiwa, Abudu Olamiotan Sunday, Ayomide Adeniyi Surajudeen. Others are: Olasunkanmi Quadri Adewale, Oladotun Kunle Tijani, Adekunle Damilare Elijah, Abudu Kayode Donald, Eyinla Temitayo Emmanuel and Adekunle Imole Ayo. Among the recovered items are exotic cars, laptops, different brands of mobile phones and several fraudulent documents. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is completed. 34-internet-fraud-suspects-arrested-in-ibadan **************************************** 25 JUL 2022 Yahoo Boy Bags 2Years Jail Term in Nasarawa Justice N.I Afolabi of the Federal High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Friday, July 22, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Okoha Chinedu Charles to two years imprisonment for fraudulent impersonation. Chinedu, 25, who hails from Ebonyi State representing himself as a military personnel serving in Yemen and used a Thai and Spanish language translation app to chat with Thai women with the intent to defraud them. He was prosecuted on one count charge by the Makurdi Zonal Command of the EFCC. The charge reads: "That you, Okoha Chinedu Charles "M" sometime in December, 2021 in Makurdi, Benue State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Eun Kyung through his email, kyunge796@gmail.com with intent to gain advantage to yourself and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 22 [2] [b] of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under subsection 22 (2) [iv] of the same Act". Justice Afolabi convicted and sentenced Chinedu to 2 years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000. The court also ordered the closure of all his social media and First bank accounts and the balance in the bank account forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The court further ordered that his Toshiba Laptop Satellite Pro L100 model be forfeited and sold through the Register of the Court. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: yahoo-boy-bags-2years-jail-term-in-nasarawa ***************************************** 23 JUL 2022 Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters in Port Harcourt Justice P. I . Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced the duo of Favour Otogbo and Anawanti Finbar to various jail terms for impersonation and possession of fake documents They were convicted on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 after pleading "guilty" to two-count separate charges preferred against them upon being arraigned by the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. One of the count charges reads: "That you Favour Otogbo between 1st of July to 30th of July, 2021 in Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this honourable court fraudulently represented yourself on Instagram as a Marine Engineer from Houston, Texas in the United States of America (USA) with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015 punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act." They pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against them by the prosecution. In view of their pleas, prosecution counsels, F. O. Amama and F. C. Obinwa, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants as charged. However, counsels to the defendants, D. L. Davies and O. C. Nwanarah prayed the court to temper justice with mercy stating that they are first-time offenders with no previous criminal records. Justice Ajoku convicted and sentenced Otogbo to two years imprisonment, with an option of fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Judge also ordered that the PS5 Console and a white- coloured iPhone X recovered from the convict in the course of arrest, be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Also, the convict should restitute to the victim the sum of $1,500 which was the amount fraudulently obtained. Finbar, on the other hand, bagged a jail term of one year with an option of fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was also ordered to forfeit a Tecno CX air mobile phone recovered from him to the government. In addition, the two convicts are ordered to depose to an affidavit of good behaviour before the court. Their journey to the Correctional Service started when they were arrested during a raid conducted by the Commission on June, 1 2022 around Borokiri and Ada George area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Investigation linked them to internet fraud and criminal impersonation of foreigners. They were prosecuted and convicted. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: court-jails-two-internet-fraudsters-in-port-harcourt **************************************** 22 JUL 2022 74 Internet Fraud Suspects Arrested in Port Harcourt Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested Seventy Four (74) suspected internet fraudsters. They were picked up in the early hours of Thursday, July 21, 2022, at various locations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. However, of the number, Forty Eight (48) had incriminating items in their possession. The suspects are: Promise Sunday, Ukala Goldman, Isaac Golden, Peter Ikechukwu, Bankole Olamide, John Chiemela, Thomas Martins, Dr Victor, Emmanuel Owuma, Emmanuel Sekun, Philip Abaku, Emmanuel Egwuanumku, Thompson Charles Lekia, Ken Anelele Marvel, Kelechi Prince, Ugochukwu Ukaigwe, Ake John, Victor Madu, Moses Jubril Akrah, Jonathan Jeffery, Noble Lot, Success Umukoro, Precious Michael and Christabel Enoch. Others are Desmond Ogu, Louis Abbas, Donaldson Ugbo, Kelvin Dickson, Henry Messiah, Godwin Egwelike, Timinepre Esuku, Mathew Kelvin, Alfred Friday, Nyderson Mufisa Nwogu, Boyle Edward, Ifeanyi Elum, Richard Welle Chikodi, Ogu Raymond, Tamunoturoko Briggs, Kenedy Patrick, Shadrach Savior, King Nwonuma, Chisom Umah, Joseph Effiong, Kelvin Ifeanyi, Birabil Lessi Junior Goodness, George Nnamdi and Doro Precious. Items recovered from them include five exotic cars, different brands of phones, laptops, ATM cards, among others. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release contains a group photo: 74-internet-fraud-suspects-arrested-in-port-harcourt ***************************************** 22 JUL 2022 Cybercrime: Ex-convict, Thirty-two Others Arrested for Alleged Internet Fraud in Ibadan Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, July 21, 2022 arrested a convicted internet fraudster, Okhiria Alex Chibueze and thirty-two others for alleged internet-related fraud. The suspects were nabbed in a sting operation at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State, following intelligence reports on their alleged cyber-fraud activities. The suspects are, Okhiria Alex Chibueze, Olootu Damilola Ayomikun, Akiwale Isreal Bunmi, Oladele Olatunde Oladimeji, Okeniyi Samuel Akinniyi, Sanya Oyekole Olakunle, Okon Gideon Henry, Stephen Samuel Shekwuduza, Adeshina Opeyemi Akanni, Hezekiah Ajadi Oluwatobi, Omoke Ogbonnaya Okike, Alex Samuel Aiku, Micheal Olakunle Oyinwola, Salami Oluwafemi Salami, Udeh Moses Emeka and Monday Samuel Nnaemeka. Others include Oluchukwu Emmanuel Ifeanyi Chukwu, Olaleye Azeez Olaide, Akintunde Victor Opeyemi, Akintayo Abass Waliu, Bada Samuel Rotimi, Isaac Isaiah Chinedu, Adeleke Olawale Isaac, Enoch Obaloluwa Bolaji, Afolabi Tomiwa Pelumi, Chukwudi Emeka Samuel, Abiola Oloruntoba Enoch, Chukwu Ogbonnaya Chukwu, Ogbonna Simon Ugwu, Durodoye Jubril Akinwunmi, Durodoye Idris Akindeji, Sanmabo Ayodeji Olufisayo and Olatunbosun Abdulmujeeb Olanrewaju. Eight exotic cars, several mobile phones, laptops, expensive wrist- watches among other items, were recovered from them. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded. It will be recalled that Okhiria Alex Chibueze was arrested by the operatives of Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC sometime in 2021 for fraudulently obtaining $3, 800 USD (Three Thousand, Eight Hundred United States Dollars) through a fake lottery scheme. He was successfully prosecuted and sentenced to six months community service by the Court on June 16, 2022. The press release includes photos: cybercrime-ex-convict-thirty-two-others-arrested-for-alleged-internet-fraud-in-ibadan **************************************** 22 JUL 2022 Yahoo Boy Convicted in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction of one Abel Joseph before Justice A.A Bello of the Kaduna State High Court on a one count amended charge bordering on Internet fraud. The one count charge against the defendant reads: "That you, Abel Joseph (aka Nita Joel) sometime in June, 2022 in Kaduna within the Judicial Division of the High Court in an attempt to defraud, Impersonated one Nita Joel (a citizen of the United States of America) using your Infinix Smart5, when you knew you were not, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under the same law". The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. He was convicted and sentenced to a fine of N100, 000 by Justice Bello. Where the defendant fails to pay the fine, he shall serve a term of 3 months in prison. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: yahoo-boy-convicted-in-kaduna ********************************** 22 JUL 2022 37 Arrested in Asaba for Alleged Internet Fraud Thirty-seven (37) suspected internet fraudsters were arrested on Thursday July 21, 2022, by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. They were picked up in different locations at Asaba, the Delta State capital following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in cyber-fraud. The suspects are: Sulaimon Godspower, Ejiro Igho, Tega Oyah, Lucky Osawale, Nedum Monday, Ifeanyi Emmanuel, Imafidon Umweni, Joe Ugoka, Ehis Famous, Olalekan Ogunsanya,Asonya Goodluck, Kingsley Andrew, Daniel Godswill, Ojibi Mairo Silver, Samuel Joseph,Majemite Simon and Emeka Udorah. Others are: Osagboyo Hendrix,Uchenna Chukwujindu, Martin Andrew, Oganiru Godwin, Emmanuel Okoro, Isaac Alex,Mike Araco, David Happy, Maxwell Orakwe,Ugboka Innocent,Ufuoma Oyovwevotu, Kenneth Osaretin, Anthony Avworhok, Ikani Dennis,Simon Ogedegbe, Emmanuel Oyovwi, Williams Benjamin, Caleb Olisaebuka,Oghenekihworo Oghene and Agbogidi Great. Items recovered from them include four Toyota Camry cars, one Mercedes Benz ML350 with registration number KSF-965-GD, and one Lexus RX 350 with registration number WWR-334-AH. Several mobile phones, Mifi mobile wifi devices and laptops were also recovered in the course of execution of the search warrant. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release includes photos: 37-arrested-in-asaba-for-alleged-internet-fraud *************************************** 21 JUL 2022 EFCC Arrests 18 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 18 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja. The suspects are: Innocent Samson, Obiora Eze, Ifeanyi Joseph, Isdore Chinedu, Badaki Linus, Ameh Nick, Kelvin Chima, Akwa Iwu P romise Ifeanyi, Adekunle Samuel. Others are: Abutu John, Testimony Mathiew, Omale Mary Ochanya (female), Afarm Darlington Edwin, Henry John, Urochukwu Abel, Ogieto Gift, Innocent Gideon, Ojimini Maduemyi Raymond, Mathiew Timothy, and Kingsley Chukwuemeka. They were arrested on July 19, 2022 at Army Estate Phase Five, Kurudu, Abuja, following intelligence reports received by the Commission about their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud. Items recovered from the suspects include three cars: a Lexus RX 350, Lexus ES 350 and Peugeot 306, a motor bike, six laptop computers, and mobile phones. The suspects will be charged to court after investigations are concluded. The release includes group photos: efcc-arrests-18-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-abuja *********************************** 21 JUL 2022 Court Jails Three for Cyber-fraud in Oyo The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of the trio of Ajibola Jamiu Adewale, Daniel Ayomide Aremu and Olaide Ibrahim Opeyemi before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State for fraudulent impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015. Adewale was arraigned on two counts, while Aremu and Olaide Opeyemi were docked on separate one count charges. The charge against Aremu reads: "That you, Daniel Ayomide Aremu on or about 29th of July, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, knowingly impersonated one Daniella Jessica when you falsely represented yourself as a woman to one John Clenny in order to gain advantage for yourself contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the same Act." Count one of the charge against Adewale reads: "That you, Ajibola Jamiu Adewale 'M' on or about the 13th of September, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, created a profile on the internet with the email jessicamark157@gmail.com whereby you represented yourself as a 25 years old white American woman from Arizona by name Jessica Mark, and by this means you obtained benefits and gained advantage (including the benefit of the sum of N7.7million in your UBA Account, a Toyota Venza hybrid car with Reg. NO. ABC 233 PD, a blue coloured iPhone12 Pro Max mobile handset, i-watch series 6 and a gold iPhone S Max), a pretext which you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Act." The defendants pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC. In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, C.A. Okoli and Modupe Akinkoye reviewed the facts of the cases, tendered confessional statements made by the convicts and other indicting documents before the court. They urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants as charged. Consequently, Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced Opeyemi to two years imprisonment, Adewale and Aremu seven and six months imprisonment respectively. The court further ordered that Adewale restitute the sum of N8million domiciled in his banks accounts and forfeit a Toyota Venza car amongst other items believed to be the proceeds of the crime committed. Also, Aremu and Opeyemi are to restitute their victims and forfeit all items recovered from them. The convicts were ordered to write a "letter of undertaking" stating that they will never engage in any crime, especially cybercrime again a nd submit the same to the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC. The press release contains photos of the 419ers: court-jails-three-for-cyber-fraud-in-oyo ********************************** 21 JUL 2022 Two Jailed for Multi-million Naira Internet Fraud in Jigawa The Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of the duo of Olalekan Adekola Adeojo and Theophilus Ehoghcho Opanachi to six and five months imprisonment respectively before Justice Husaina Adamu Aliyu of the Jigawa State High Court on a four count charge each bordering on cheating and obtaining by false pretense. The convicts who are graduates of Federal University, Dutse Jigawa State, were arrested on the 3rd June, 2022 by the operatives of Department of State Services, Dutse, Jigawa State, following an intelligence report on the involvement of some youth in internet -related frauds at Mallam Inuwa Dutse Housing Estate Danmasara Quarters. They were subsequently handed over to the Commission for further investigation. Further investigation by the Commission revealed that the defendants used false representation on various social media platforms to defraud several victims, mostly foreigners. Theophilus was found to have obtained the sum of $8,012.58 (Eight Thousand, Twelve Dollars, Fifty Eight Cents from eleven victims - all foreigners. It was also discovered that he acted as picker for other internet fraudsters currently at large, by redeeming the Cryptocurrencies fraudulently obtained from their victims for which he benefitted a total sum of N5,845,984.03 as commission. Furthermore, it was also discovered that gifts worth Four Million, Seven Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Two Naira, Four Kobo Only (N4,748,802.04) was fraudulently obtained by Theophilus through the trio of Oyibo Abdulwahab, Precious Andrew and Okpanachi Victor for redemption. Adeojo, on the other hand, obtained the sum of Twenty Six Million, Eighty Five Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy Seven Naira Only (N26, 085,677) from two victims. The two defendants pleaded guilty to all the charges preferred against them by the prosecution. In view of their pleas, counsel for the prosecution, Aisha Tahar Habib, asked the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Aliyu convicted and sentenced Adeojo to six months imprisonment or a fine of Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N300, 000), while Theophilus bagged five months imprisonment with an option of N250,000 fine. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of an uncompleted building and a 2013 model Mercedes-Benz C-Class belonging to Adeojo and a Toyota Camry owned by Theophilus. All the laptops and cell phones which were used as instruments to commit the fraud were also forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release photos of the 419ers: two-jailed-for-multi-million-naira-internet-fraud-in-jigawa **************************************** 20 JUL 2022 Court Sends Fraudster to Three Years Imprisonment in Benin .. Loses House, Car, money in Five Bank Accounts to Victims Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin on Wednesday July 20, 2022, convicted and sentenced Abudu Gentle Osarobo to three years imprisonment for fraud. Osarobo was arraigned on one count charge by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. He had impersonated one Barry Carson, a US military officer to defraud his victim. The charge against Osarobo reads: "That you, Abudu Gentle Osarobo (m) sometime between 2018 and September, 2021 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Barry Carson, a US military officer and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (As Applicable in Edo State) 1976". Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. However, the defence counsel, Kenechukwu Ofoedu pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the defendant to three year imprisonment or a fine of N500, 000. The court ordered that the defendant forfeits to the Federal Government of Nigeria, a 3-bedroom bungalow in Benin City, a Toyota Rav 4 Jeep 2015 Model, Four UBA Manager's Cheques of N10 million, the sum of N2,200,827.05 in his Sterling Bank account, N725,209.47 in his company account - Edorisiagbon Allied Business limited, N30,753.78, in his business account - Edorisiagbon Global Enterprise, the sum of N4,968,731,24 and N40,397.95 in his First Bank and Sterling Bank accounts for the benefit of the victims. The accounts are to be closed afterwards. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-sends-fraudster-to-three-years-imprisonment-in-benin-loses-house-car-money-in-five-bank-accounts-to-victims **************************************** 20 JUL 2022 Internet Fraudster Lands in Jail, Loses Car to FG in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of one Abdulrahman Kayode Wasiu for offences bordering on cybercrime and retention of proceeds of unlawful activities, Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin entenced the defendant to six months imprisonment, having found him guilty of the one-count charge brought against him by the EFCC. Abdulrahman between November 2020 and November 2021, allegedly had in his possession a sum of N4, 326.000.00 (Four Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand Naira Only) suspected to be proceed of unlawful activities. The defendant pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him. Following his guilty plea, Innocent Mbachie, who prosecuted the case on behalf of the EFCC reviewed the facts through a witness who tendered items such as a Lexus 350 car and an iPhone recovered from the defendant at the point of arrest. Counsel also tendered the extra-judicial statement and several incriminating documents printed from the defendant’s device, which were admitted in evidence. Mbachie urged the court to hold that the prosecution had established a prima-facie case against the defendant to warrant his conviction. Justice Akinpelu in her judgment on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 said the court relied on the guilty plea entered by the defendant, his extra- judicial statements and all the exhibits tendered and was convinced that the prosecution had proved its case beyond doubt. While sentencing Abdulrahman to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only), the judge ordered that the iPhone used by the convict to perpetrate the crime and the Lexus 350 car acquired with the proceeds of his unlawful activities be forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: internet-fraudster-lands-in-jail-loses-car-to-fg-in-ilorin *************************************** 20 JUL 2022 $700 Scam: Court Remands Suspect in Prison Justice S. I. Mark of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has ordered the remand of an internet fraud suspect, Nwosu Gospel Light, in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, pending the determination of his bail application. Light on Wednesday July 20, 2022 pleaded not guilty to a two count charge impersonation and obtaining money by false pretense brought against him by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. One of the counts reads: “"hat you, Nwosu Gospel Light on or about 15th of January, 2022 at Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of Seven Hundred Dollars ($700USD ) only from one Doren, a Netherland Citizen, under the false pretense that you are investing in Crypto Currency business for him, a pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offense 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". He however pleaded "not guilty" to the charges. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, E. K. Ebipade, prayed the court to remand the defendant and fix a date for the commencement of trial. Justice Mark ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Correctional Centre and adjourned the case till October 10, 2022 for consideration of the bail application and commencement of trial. Trouble started for Light sometime in April 2022, when the Commission received an intelligence report about the activities of some internet fraudsters operating within Port Harcourt Metropolis. The defendant was apprehended on the 1st of June, 2022 at Ada George, Port Harcourt, Rivers State for alleged involvement in series of love scams and using Gmail accounts to defraud unsuspecting victims. Investigation further revealed that the defendant deceived his victims into believing that he is into Bitcoin trading and defrauded one Doren, a Netherland Citizen of the sum of Seven Hundred United States Dollars ($700). The press release contains a photo: 700-scam-court-remands-suspect-in-prison **************************************** 19 JUL 2022 $3.5M Fraud: EFCC Extradites FBI Wanted Internet Fraud Suspect to US A wire fraud suspect, Fatade Idowu Olamilekan on wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, was on Thursday July 14, 2022, extradited to the United States for allegedly stealing over Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($3.5M) worth of equipment in various cities across the US. His extradition was coordinated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following a notice from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI New York, through the US Legal Attache for his role in impersonating various cities, state and academic institutions across the United States. Fatade was indicted by a grand jury in the Southern District of New York for offences of wire fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property and identity theft. The suspect was arrested on September 30, 2021, by operatives of the EFCC and his extradition trial commenced sometime in November, 2021 before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. On May 1, 2022, the Judge granted the request to extradite the suspect to the United States to answer to the criminal charges against him. Upon his arrival in the United States, the suspect is billed to appear before a United States District Court. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: 3-5m-fraud-efcc-extradites-fbi-wanted-internet-fraud-suspect-to-us *************************************** 19 JUL 2022 $ 69,000 Scam: Court Convicts Man for Fraudulent Impersonation The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on July 15, 2022, secured the conviction of one Kelvin Tobe Igboamaeze before Justice M. Zubairu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kurudu, Abuja on a four count charge bordering on cheating by personation. Count one of the charge reads: "That you, AUGUSTUS KELVIN GBOAMAEZE (Cubana wire) sometime in April, 2018 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did cheat by personation, by pretending to be Cubana, a Wire Engineer working in Ukraine, via www.gmail.com and obtained the sum of $66,000 (Sixty-Six Thousand Dollars) from Patti Jackson, an American citizen through Google Cards and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 321 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under section 324 of the same Act". Another count read: "That you AUGUSTUS KELVIN IGBOAMAEZE sometime in April, 2018 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did cheat by personation, by pretending to be David Wilson, an Engineer working in Ukraine, via www.gmail.com and obtained the sum of $3,000 (Three Thousand Dollars) from Clara, an American citizen through Google Card and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 321 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria ( Abuja) 1990 and punishable under section 324 of the same Act". He pleaded "guilty" to the charges. In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Maryam Aminu Ahmad, urged the Court to convict him accordingly. Justice Zubairu convicted and sentenced the defendant to three months imprisonment on each of the four count charges, or an option of fine of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50, 000) on each for the counts. The Court ordered the forfeiture of items recovered from him during arrest, including an iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 11 Pro, MacBook Air Laptop and a gold chain. The Court further ordered that the sum of Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($4,750), a draft of Six Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty- two Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N6, 952, 500) raised by the defendant be restituted to the victim. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: 69-000-scam-court-convicts-man-for-fraudulent-impersonation ************************************* 18 JUL 2022 Court Jails Engineer, Two Others for Cybercrime in Ilorin Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court in Ilorin on Monday, July 18, 2022, convicted a 26-year-old Computer Engineer, Olabisi Damilola Samuel from Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun State and two others for offences bordering on cybercrime and retention of proceeds of unlawful activities. The two others are Ajayi Opeyemi Olayemi, a DJ from Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State and one Timothy Abidemi Olakunle from Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prosecuted the trio on separate charges to which they pleaded guilty. Following their guilty plea, Aliyu Adebayo and Andrew Akoja who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, phones, laptop recovered from them at the point of arrest and fraudulent messages printed from their devices, which were admitted in evidence. Adebayo and Akoja urged the court to hold that the prosecution had established the essential ingredients of crime against the defendants to warrant their conviction. Justice Sani in his judgment found the defendants guilty and sentenced them to various jail terms. Olabisi was sentenced to three years imprisonment with option of fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on count one while he was handed a fine of N186,600 on count two. The court ordered that the iPhone and Hp Laptop recovered from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government. Similarly, the judge sentenced Ajayi to three years imprisonment with option of N500,0000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) each on count one and two and ordered the forfeiture of his three phones and a Laptop, which the convict used to perpetrate the crime to the Federal Government. In the same vein, Timothy bagged three-years imprisonment with option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) each on count one and two which are to run concurrently. The court also ordered that the convict's iPhone 11 Pro Max which was used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains a small photo of each 419er: court-jails-engineer-two-others-for-cybercrime-in-ilorin ************************************* 19 JUL 2022 $3.5M Fraud: EFCC Extradites FBI Wanted Internet Fraud Suspect to US A wire fraud suspect, Fatade Idowu Olamilekan on wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, was on Thursday July 14, 2022, extradited to the United States for allegedly stealing over Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars ($3.5M) worth of equipment in various cities across the US. His extradition was coordinated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following a notice from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI New York, through the US Legal Attache for his role in impersonating various cities, state and academic institutions across the United States. Fatade was indicted by a grand jury in the Southern District of New York for offences of wire fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property and identity theft. The suspect was arrested on September 30, 2021, by operatives of the EFCC and his extradition trial commenced sometime in November, 2021 before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. On May 1, 2022, the Judge granted the request to extradite the suspect to the United States to answer to the criminal charges against him. Upon his arrival in the United States, the suspect is billed to appear before a United States District Court. The press release contains a photo: 3-5m-fraud-efcc-extradites-fbi-wanted-internet-fraud-suspect-to-us ***************************************** 19 JUL 2022 $69,000 Scam: Court Convicts Man for Fraudulent Impersonation The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on July 15, 2022, secured the conviction of one Kelvin Tobe Igboamaeze before Justice M. Zubairu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kurudu, Abuja on a four count charge bordering on cheating by personation. Count one of the charge reads: "That you, AUGUSTUS KELVIN GBOAMAEZE (Cubana wire) sometime in April, 2018 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did cheat by personation, by pretending to be Cubana, a Wire Engineer working in Ukraine, via www.gmail.com and obtained the sum of $66,000 (Sixty-Six Thousand Dollars) from Patti Jackson, an American citizen through Google Cards and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 321 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under section 324 of the same Act". Another count read: "That you AUGUSTUS KELVIN IGBOAMAEZE sometime in April, 2018 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did cheat by personation, by pretending to be David Wilson, an Engineer working in Ukraine, via www.gmail.com and obtained the sum of $3,000 (Three Thousand Dollars) from Clara, an American citizen through Google Card and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 321 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation of Niger"a (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under section 324 of the same Act”. He pleaded "guilty" to the charges. In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Maryam Aminu Ahmad, urged the Court to convict him accordingly. Justice Zubairu convicted and sentenced the defendant to three months imprisonment on each of the four count charges, or an option of fine of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50, 000) on each for the counts. The Court ordered the forfeiture of items recovered from him during rest, including an iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 11 Pro, MacBook Air Laptop and a gold chain. The Court further ordered that the sum of Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($4,750), a draft of Six Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty- two Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N6, 952, 500) raised by the defendant be restituted to the victim. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: 69-000-scam-court-convicts-man-for-fraudulent-impersonation ******************************************* 18 JUL 2022 Court Jails Engineer, Two Others for Cybercrime in Ilorin Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court in Ilorin on Monday, July 18, 2022, convicted a 26-year-old Computer Engineer, Olabisi Damilola Samuel from Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun State and two others for offences bordering on cybercrime and retention of proceeds of unlawful activities. The two others are Ajayi Opeyemi Olayemi, a DJ from Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State and one Timothy Abidemi Olakunle from Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prosecuted the trio on separate charges to which they pleaded guilty. Following their guilty plea, Aliyu Adebayo and Andrew Akoja who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, phones, laptop recovered from them at the point of arrest and fraudulent messages printed from their devices, which were admitted in evidence. Adebayo and Akoja urged the court to hold that the prosecution had established the essential ingredients of crime against the defendants to warrant their conviction. Justice Sani in his judgment found the defendants guilty and sentenced them to various jail terms. Olabisi was sentenced to three years imprisonment with option of fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on count one while he was handed a fine of N186,600 on count two. The court ordered that the iPhone and Hp Laptop recovered from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government. Similarly, the judge sentenced Ajayi to three years imprisonment with option of N500,0000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) each on count one and two and ordered the forfeiture of his three phones and a Laptop, which the convict used to perpetrate the crime to the Federal Government. In the same vein, Timothy bagged three-years imprisonment with option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) each on count one and two which are to run concurrently. The court also ordered that the convict's iPhone 11 Pro Max which was used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains photos of the 419esr: court-jails-engineer-two-others-for-cybercrime-in-ilorin ********************************************* 18 JUL 2022 Court Sends Six Internet Fraudsters to Jail in Benin The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday July 18, 2022, secured the conviction of six internet fraudsters before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City for fraud. The convicts are Imariable Aisosa Collins, Ofuoku Raymond Diamond, Peace Omaghomi, Eze Solomon, Akeer Kelly and Nonso Nwakor They were arraigned separately on one count charge bordering on intent to defraud and fraudulent personation. They impersonated foreign nationals to defraud unsuspecting victims. The charge against Imariable Aisosa Collins reads: "that you, Imariable Aisosa Collins sometimes between October 2021 and February 2022 in Benin City Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Edward Donald residing in Atlanta, USA, on Instagram platform and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976". The charge against Ofuoku Raymond Diamond reads: "that you, Ofuoku Raymond Diamond (M) sometime between 2021 and 23rd May, 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Yusuf Mohammed, a United Arab Emirate citizen and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State),1976". Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, I.M Elodi and I.K Agwai to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the duo of Diamond and Solomon to three years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira fine each. The duo of Collins and Nwankwo also bagged two years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira and Three Hundred Thousand Naira fine respectively. Kelly was sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine. Justice Ikponmwonba ordered that a white Mercedes Benz C350 recovered from Collins be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria while the sum of One Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Sixteen Naira, Sixty Kobo (N1,849,116.60) found in United Bank for Africa account and the sum of Five Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand Nine Hundred and Sixty Eight Naira Ninety Nine Kobo (N554,968.99) in First Bank account of Ofuoku Raymond Diamond, being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. All the defendants are also to forfeit their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake to be of good behaviour. The press release contains a small photo of each 419er: court-sends-six-internet-fraudsters-to-jail-in-benin ************************************ 15 JUL 2022 Court Convicts Fake Johnny Depp in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentencing of Jeremiah Emmanuel who paraded himself as Johnny Depp on Hangout and one Abubakar Kabiru before Justice Darius Khobo of Kaduna State High Court. The defendants were prosecuted on one and two counts respectively. The charge against Emmanuel reads, "That you, Jeremiah Emmanuel (aka Johnny Depp), between May and June 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, attempted to commit an offence and in such an attempt did a certain act towards the Commission of the said offence, to wit; falsely presented yourself as Johnny Depp ( a Hollywood celebrity in the United States of America) to one Jitka Krumlovà on 'Hangout' ( an online social media application) in order to cheat her and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law". One of the counts on which Abubakar was jailed, reads; "That you, Abubakar Kabiru, sometime in July, 2019 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did pretend to be Debra Gibson ( a female living in the United States of America) when you knew you were not and in such assumed character cheated one James Edward, an America citizen of the sum of Two Hundred United States Dollars ($200 USD), when you claimed that you were in love with her and to engage her in a romantic relationship 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:. They pleaded guilty to the charges. In view of their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, N. Salele, urged the court to convict the defendants accordingly. Justice Khobo convicted and sentenced Emmanuel to 3months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 while Abubakar bagged N100,000 fine on counts one and two or 3 months imprisonment in the even that he fails to pay the fine. The court ordered that the defendants restitute their victims in the sum of $200 and $300 respectively through the US Embassy. The press release contains a photo of "Johnny" and another fellow 419er: court-convicts-fake-johnny-depp-in-kaduna 419 Coalition comment: Hasn't Johnny Depp had enough troubles lately already? Now even the 419ers are piling on. Sheesh, give the poor man a break..... ********************************* 15 JUL 2022 Cybercrime: Two Convicted, Another Remanded in Oyo The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, July 14, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of the duo of Ogunlana Charles Tolulope and Amoo Emmanuel Abiodun on separate one count charge before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, and Justice Bayo Taiwo of the State High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State. The convicts were arrested by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC sometime in the year 2021 for cyber-fraud related activities in Ibadan, Oyo State. The charge against Ogunlana reads: "That you, Ogunlana Charles Tolulope ‘M’(aka Brandon Oliver) on or about the 8th of September, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate one BRANDON OLIVER a male citizen of the United States of America via your Google Hangouts brandonoliver101@gmail.com and oliverb909@gmail.com with intent to gain monetary advantage for yourself, the pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015." The charge against Amoo reads: "That you, Amoo Emmanuel Abiodun on or about 29th October, 2021, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, impersonated Clifford Smith, a white man from United States of America and thereby committed an offence of Impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." They pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC. Consequently, Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced Ogunlana to one year imprisonment and ordered him to restitute the sum of N1, 600,000. 00 (One Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira) domiciled in his bank account too his victim and forfeit one Camry car to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Similarly, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced Amoo to six months community service and ordered that the convict pay the sum of $1,300USD (One Thousand Three Hundred United States of America Dollars) in restitution and forfeit one iPhone 11 mobile phone to the Federal Government. In a related development, the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC arraigned one Sotunde Bashir Abiola before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, on one count charge bordering on fraudulent impersonation. The charge reads: "That you, Sotunde Bashir Abiola 'M' sometimes in March, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud aided and abetted one Ashefon Daniel Kayode who fraudulently impersonated one Robbin Stephen with intent to gain advantage for himself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act." He pleaded not guilty to the charge when read to him before the court. Justice Agomoh, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Agodi Correctional facility and adjourned till November 2, 2022 for the commencement of trial. The press release contains a small photo of each of the 419ers: cybercrime-two-convicted-another-remanded-in-oyo *************************************** 15 JUL 2022 19-Year-Old Facebook Scammer Jailed in Abuja A 19-year-old school dropout and Facebook scammer, Agbo Emmanuel was on Thursday July 14, 2022, convicted and handed a one year suspended sentence by Justice N.I. Afolabi of the Federal High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State. He was convicted after pleading guilty to the one count charge preferred against him by the Abuja Zonal Command of the EFCC. The charge reads, "That you Agbo Emmanuel sometime in 2022 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court through your Facebook account fraudulently impersonated one Wei Shang with intent to gain advantage for yourself 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) of the same Act". Taking into account the evidence before the court and the plea of the defendant, Justice Afolabi convicted Agbo and handed him a one year suspended sentence or a fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira). The defendant is expected to file a report of good conduct from his school by December 9, 2022, or be sent to a Correctional Centre to serve his term. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: 19-year-old-facebook-scammer-jailed-in-abuja ************************************** 15 JUL 2022 Instagram Fraudster jailed in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Thursday July 14, 2022, arraigned one Isaac Wulko Aliu before Justice N.I. Afolabi of the Federal High Court sitting in Lafia Nasarawa S tate for alleged cybercrime. He was arraigned by the Abuja Zonal Command on a one count charge of fraudulent impersonation to defraud some foreigners. The charge reads, "That you, Isaac Wulko Aliu sometime in 2022 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, through Instagram Application fraudulently impersonated one Andy-uk86 who is living in America with intent to gain advantage for yourself 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 defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his guilty plea, Justice Afolabi convicted and sentenced Aliu to twelve months imprisonment with hard labour with an option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, the court ordered that the sum of $111 (One Hundred and Eleven US Dollars), proceeds of crime, and the instruments used to perpetrate the crime be sold and the proceeds paid into the Federation Account. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: instagram-fraudster-jailed-in-abuja ************************************* 14 JUL 2022 Court Jails Internet Fraudster in Warri Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri on Wednesday July 13, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Atarhe Ochuko Nelson to one year imprisonment for fraud. Nelson was arraigned on one count charge by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for fraudulent impersonation. He impersonated Steven Paul, an American doctor, to defraud unsuspecting victims. The charge against Nelson reads: "That you Atarhe Ochuko Nelson sometime between 2021and 2022 in Warri, Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did impersonate the identity of Steven Paul, an American doctor, by fraudulently sending documents to one Besty Tate through Hangout app on the internet which documents you claimed emanated from the said Steven Paul with intent to gain advantage for yourself 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". Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, I. N. Elodi prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. However, the defence counsel, T. Avwomakpa pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant is a first time offender who has become remorseful for his action. Justice Abang convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment with an option of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) fine. In addition, the defendant shall forfeit his Lexus ES350 car and mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake in writing to be of good behavior. The press release includes a photo of the 419er: court-jails-internet-fraudster-in-warri *********************************** 14 JUL 2022 Three Internet Fraudsters Convicted, Forfeits Cars to FG Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Thursday July 14, 2022 convicted and sentenced three internet fraudsters to jail for fraud The convicts, Oziegbe Famous, Clifford Johnson and Emmanuel Osas Uwadiae were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC on separate one count charge of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. They were said to have impersonated foreign nationals in order to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. The charge against Oziegbe Famous reads: "that you Oziegbe Famous on 30th March 2022 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be one John Mark with Gmail account mj782087@gmail.com with intent to defraud unsuspecting internet users into forex trading and gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (As applicable in Edo State) 1976". The charge against Clifford reads: "That you Clifford Johnson sometimes between January 2022 and 23rd May 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Ray Mckasyi, an American Army personnel residing in USA on Instagram platform and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (As applicable in Edo State) 1976". Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against them by the EFCC prompting the prosecution counsel, A.A.Ozigbu to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, the defence counsel, B.E Ambrose and F.E Oberagbo pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first time offenders who had become remorseful for their actions. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Famous and Johnson to two years imprisonment with an option of N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) fine while Emmanuel Osas Uwadiae bagged two years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of a Mercedes Benz C300 2016 model and Toyota Camry recovered from Famous and Johnson respectively to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The defendants are also to forfeit their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria, being proceeds and instruments of fraud. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: hree-internet-fraudsters-convicted-forfeits-cars-to-fg **************************************** 14 JUL 2022 Two Convicted for Internet Fraud in Oyo Justice Omolara Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, convicted and sentenced the duo of Babarinde Sodiq Adewale and Adewale Jegede Akanni to six months community service each on a separate one count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and personation, which are contrary to Section 419 and 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The charge against Babarinde reads: "That you, Babarinde Sodiq Adewale 'M' sometime in year 2021, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained gift cards worth of $200USD (Two Hundred United States Dollars) from Williams James by falsely representing to him that you are a female and other pretences which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." The charge against Adewale reads: "That you, Adewale Jegede Akanni on or about the 10th day of February, 2022 at Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud falsely represented yourself as Brittany Anderson, a white lady from the United States of America, which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." The convicts were arraigned by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and they pleaded "guilty" to the charges filed against them. In view of their pleas, the EFCC counsel, Abdulrasheed Suleiman, prayed the court to convict and sentence. Justice Adeyemi convicted and sentenced the defendants to six months community service each. She added that the "jail term shall be served within the court premises". Also, the judge ordered that Babarinde pay the sum of $150 (One Hundred and Fifty United States of America Dollars), N36, 727.05 domiciled in his Access bank account as restitution and forfeit one Infinix S4 mobile phone to the Federal Government. Furthermore, Adewale was ordered to restitute his victim the sum of $1,000USD (One Thousand United States Dollars) found in his bank account and forfeit a Lexus E350 saloon car, one Infinix and one iPhone 6plus mobile phones to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: two-convicted-for-internet-fraud-in-oyo ******************************************* 14 JUL 2022 Court Sends Three Internet Fraudsters to Jail Justice N.I. Afolabi of the Federal High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State has convicted and sentenced the trio of Toheeb Olaniyan, Taiwo Adebayo and Chukwudumebi Emmanuel Okwechime to different jail terms for internet-related offences. They were jailed on Wednesday July 13, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on cybercrimes, upon their arraignment by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Based on their pleas, Justice Afolabi convicted and sentenced Olaniyan to one year imprisonment or an option of fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira). On the other hand, he convicted and sentenced Adebayo to a fine of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira), while Okwechime was convicted and sentenced to a fine of N50, 000 (Fifty Thousand Naira). All the convicts are to forfeit their phones and proceeds of crime to the government. The convicts started their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Abuja Zonal Command of the EFCC for impersonating foreigners and using their identities to defraud other foreigners. Olaniyan, through his Facebook account, fraudulently impersonated one Richard Zhang with an intent to obtain €75, 000 (Seventy Five Thousand Euro) from one Chinnyuk Tai, an unsuspecting resident in Malaysia. Similarly, Adebayo used his MacBook air laptop to impersonate one George Wong with the motive of using his identity to defraud others while Okwechime impersonated one Steve Hart via his Facebook account with the intent of obtaining $200 (Two Hundred United States Dollars) from one Sherry Little. The press release ccontains photos of all three 419ers: court-sends-three-internet-fraudsters-to-jail ************************************ 14 JUL 2022 Two Internet Fraudsters Jailed in Kaduna Justice A.A. Bello of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters: Godwin Paul Osikhena and Unique Isaac Odu to three months imprisonment each, for internet-related offences. They were jailed on Monday, July 4, 2022 after pleading guilty to one –count separate charge bordering on impersonation, upon their arraignment by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The lone-count charge reads: "that you, Godwin Paul Osikhena (M), sometimes in June 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, in an attempt to commit fraud impersonated one Mark Wehlberg, a popular Hollywood actor, which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142(1) of the Kaduna state Penal Code Law, 2017". Based on their pleas, Justice Bello convicted and sentenced them to three months imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N100,000( One Hundred Thousand Naira). Both convicts are to forfeit their iphone 6, camon 18 andriod phone, a mini wifi and an apple Iphone 12 to the government. Osikhena and Odu's journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested by operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet-related offences. Specifically, Osikhena presented himself to one Elzbiebta Nanke as Mark Wehlberg (a popular Hollywood actor) on social media and tried to defraud him in the process. Odu, on the other hand, assumed multiple identities of American military personnel, such as Prince Young and Young Prince to defraud two Americans: Beniyah Hawkins and Yamilex respectively two-internet-fraudsters-jailed-in-kaduna ************************************** 13 JUL 2022 Three Convicted for Internet Fraud in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 secured the conviction of Peter Darshewa Felix, Benjamin Johnson and John Jacob before Justice A.A Bello of the Kaduna State High Court. The trio were all arrested in a sting operation for their alleged involvement in cybercrime. They allegedly assumed the identities of foreigners to defraud unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned money through phantom romantic relationships. Upon arrest, they were arraigned on separate one count charges. One of the charge reads, "That you, Peter Darshewa Felix ( aka Amanda Hills), sometime in April, 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did pretend to be one Amanda Hills ( a citizen of the United States of America) when you knew you were not and in such assumed character cheated one Tom Strong of the sum of Five Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars ( $550) 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." Another charge reads, "That you, Benjamin Johnson (aka Scott Eastwood) sometimes between April and May, 2022 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently obtained property to wit; Gift Cards worth the sum of $400 USD ( Four Hundred United States Dollars) only from fans ( people from United States of America) when you falsely presented yourself to them as Scott Eastwood ( a celebrity in United States of America) via an Instagram Account prviscotteastwood which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act". The charge against John Jacob, reads "John Jacob ( aka Melinate25), sometime in June 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, attempted to commit an offence and in such an attempt did a certain act as Melinate25 ( citizen of the United States of America) to unsuspecting victims on Hangout App. ( an online social media application) in order to cheat them and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law". They pleaded guilty to all charges preferred against them. The Prosecuting counsel led by N. Salele urged the court to convict all the defendants accordingly. Justice Bello convicted and sentenced all three defendants to 3years imprisonment with an option of N 100,000 as fine. They are to also forfeit all the proceeds of crime. The press release contains photos of the three 419ers: three-convicted-for-internet-fraud-in-kaduna ****************************************** 8 JUL 2022 Two Convicted for Cyber-fraud in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abuja Zonal Command on Friday , July 8, 2022, arraigned the duo of Musa Thankgod Precious and Agbo Victor Nduh before Justice N.I. Afolabi of the Federal High Court Lafia, Nasarawa State for their involvement in internet related fraud. Musa, 21, impersonated one Alex Andrew from Italy using fake Instagram and Facebook accounts with the intention of obtaining Malaysian Ringgit 10,000 (Ten Thousand Malaysian Ringgit), while Agbo, a 23-year-old electrician, using the Instagram app, pretended to be one David Smith, an American, with the intent to gain advantage for himself. Both pleaded guilty to the one count charge preferred against them. In view of their guilty pleas, Justice Afolabi convicted and sentenced them to a fine of N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira only) each. In addition, their bank accounts are to be closed and the balance paid to the Federal Government. The Commission is also to supervise the sale of all devices used to perpetrate the crime and the money paid to the Federal Government. The court also ordered the closure of their social media accounts and evidence of this, sent to the court while their SIM cards and Automated Teller Machine ATM cards are to be blocked. The press release contains a photo of both 419ers: two-convicted-for-cyber-fraud-in-abuja ********************************** 7 JUL 2022 Court Sends Man to Jail for Visa Scam in Warri Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Kehinde Adewale to jail for visa scam. Adewale was arraigned on one count charge by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for obtaining the sum of N1,900,000 under the pretence of procuring a Canadian Visa for the complainant. The charge against Adewale reads: "that you, Kehinde Adewale (M) sometime in 2019 in Warri, Delta State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria did with intent to defraud induced one Gabriel Emadamerho Atori to pay the aggregate sum of N1,900,000.00 (One Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) only into account No. 0217076444 domicile in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and operated by you on the pretence that same was for a Canadian Visa, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act." Upon arraignment the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecution counsel, Immaculate Elodi, to pray the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Justice Abang convicted and sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment without an option of fine. The court also ordered the defendant to restitute the victim the balance of N1, 450,000.00 within six months of his release from prison. The court contains a photo of the 419er: court-sends-man-to-jail-for-visa-scam-in-warri ************************************* 7 JUL 2022 EFCC Arraigns Three for Alleged N99m Fraud The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on July 7, 2022, arraigned the trio of Umeh Vitalis, Utom Sunday Egwu and Osita Jude Nnaji before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court, Benin on three count charge bordering on retention of proceeds of crime. Vitalis, Egwu and Nnaji are alleged to have sometime in 2019 took possession of the aggregate sum of N99, 996,751.46, alleged proceeds of criminal conduct. One of the counts read: "that you, Umeh Vitalis sometimes between 13th and 15th August 2019 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the aggregate sum of Ninety-nine Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty One Thousand Naira, Forty Six Kobo ( N99,996,751.46) from your Access bank account no: 003983951 to Access bank account of MEGA Care Medicals Nigeria Ltd knowing that same represent proceeds of the criminal conduct of Utom Sunday Egwu, to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment) Act 2004 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act." Another count reads: "that you, Osita Jude Nnaji on or about the 14 August 2019 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court did take possession of the sum of N4,500,000 (Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) which you deposited in your Access /Diamond Bank Account number: 0053522833 knowing that same represent proceeds of the criminal conduct Utom Sunday Egwu to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under section 18 (2) of same Act" The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them. In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, F.A Jirbo prayed the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendants at the Correctional Centre. Justice Ikponmwonba ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Correctional Facility and adjourned the matter till August 1, 2022 for trial The press release contains photos: efcc-arraigns-three-for-alleged-n99m-fraud ******************************** 7 JUL 2022 Internet Fraudster Bags Two Years Jail Term in Port Harcourt Justice S. D. Pam of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced an internet fraudster, Victory Akpan, to two years jail term for impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence. He was convicted on Thursday, July 7, 2022 after pleading "guilty" to two- count charges bordering on impersonation, upon being arraigned by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC. One of the count charges reads: "That you Victory Akpan on or about the 15th day of May 2022 at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of Thirty Dollars ($30) USD only from Buddy, a Pakistan Citizen, under the false pretence that you are investing in Crypto Currency business for him, a pretence 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." In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, E. K. Ebipade prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant as charged. Counsel to the defendant, M. N. Adams prayed the court to temper justice with mercy stressing that the defendant is a first- time offender, with no previous criminal records. Justice Pam convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00 ) The Judge also ordered that the iPhone 11 and the Infinix Hot 10 recovered from the convict be forfeited to the government. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: internet-fraudster-bags-two-years-jail-term-in-port-harcourt *************************************** 7 JUL 2022 Court Jails Aminu for Internet Fraud in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, July 7, 2022, secured the conviction of one Moshood Aminu before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High court sitting in Kaduna. Moshood, an artisan, was arrested for impersonating celebrities in the social media and using the stolen identity to defraud unsuspecting victims. Upon arraignment, he pleaded guilty to the one count charge brought against him by the EFCC. The charge reads: "that you, Moshood Aminu ( aka Airdrop Smart ) sometime between the months of May and June, 2022 at Ramat Road, U/Rimi, Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and with intent to defraud fraudulently impersonated one Airdrop Smart via your Twitter Account and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142 (1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017". In view of his pela, the prosecuting counsel, M.O Arumemi reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly. Justice Khobo, convicted and sentenced the defendant to three months in prison or a fine of N100,000.00. He was ordered to forfeit his Samsung Galaxy S8 phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release containes a photo of the 419er: court-jails-aminu-for-internet-fraud-in-kaduna ************************************** 7 JUL 2022 Court Sends Internet Fraudster to Jail in Port Harcourt Justice S.D. Pam of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced Aborchi Bernard (a.k.a Patrick Kinder) to one year imprisonment for internet-related offences. He was convicted on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count charge bordering on impersonation, preferred against him by the Port Harcourt's Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The charge reads: "That you Aborchi Bernard), sometime in November, 2021, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did attempt to fraudulently impersonate one Patrick Kinder on a Gmail with the intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (a) of Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) of the same Act." He pleaded guilty to the one count charge: In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Endeba Abbiyesuku, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly which was not opposed by the defence counsel, A.G. Chamabila. Justice Pam convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000.00). The court also ordered that the iPhone 6S and Tecno phone recovered from the convict should be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Aborchi's journey to the Correctional Service began, following his arrest in a raid by operatives of the Port Harcourt's Zonal Command of the EFCC for involvement in internet fraud activities. He was charged to court and convicted. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-sends-internet-fraudster-to-jail-in-port-harcourt ************************************* 7 JUL 2022 EFCC Rescues an Alleged Kidnapped Yahoo Apprentice in Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, July 1, 2022, rescued an alleged kidnapped yahoo-yahoo apprentice, 17-year-old Destiny Peter from an apartment in Mpape, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Peter had on July 1, 2022 contacted the EFCC on its official twitter handle,@officialEFCC, narrating how some yahoo-yahoo boys kidnapped him and intended to use him for rituals. He was guided to send a screenshot of his location to the Commission, using the Google Location App in his Android phone. In a series of tweets, Peter wrote: "Good afternoon sir, I called the EFCC number and lay some complaints about some yahoo boys intending using me for ritual and he said I should send a screenshot of the location." "The house is in Mpape, but don’t know the exact place so check google map and save the screenshot." "I'm in the bathroom because I don’t want his boys to know what I'm doing." "My name is Destiny Peter and the place is Mpape. I don’t know the actual place but I used google maps and the people in the house now are his boys. Hold on let me try and do a video, sir." Upon the twitter alert, the EFCC quickly mobilized a team of detectives to the area for his rescue, and they found him locked up in a room. They rescued him and arrested 16- year-old Aboaba David, 18 –year-old Isaac Johnson, 20- year-old cook, Miracle Moses, a hair stylist, and the leader of the syndicate, 20-year-old Jamilu Aliyu, popularly known as Jamilu Smith. During interrogation, Peter said he was threatened by Jamilu Smith, leader of the gang. He further stated that Smith threatened him, that if he was not able to cash out (defraud) people within two weeks, he would be sacrificed for rituals Under interrogation, David said Smith was their leader and recruited them to join him in scouting for potential online dating victims for fraud. All other suspects pointed at Smith as their leader. On his part, Smith debunked Peter's claim that he was kidnapped. He rather said Peter's brother brought him to him willingly to teach him bitcoin and gift cards trading. All the suspects are in EFCC's custody for further investigation, and would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded. The press release includes photos: efcc-rescues-an-alleged-kidnapped-yahoo-apprentice-in-abuja **************************************** 7 JUL 2022 Two Juvenile Internet Fraudsters Bag Suspended Jail Terms Justice N.I. Afolabi of the Federal High Court sitting in Lafia, Nassarawa State has convicted and sentenced two under-aged internet fraudsters: Akhetuamhen Clinton, 15, and Obinyan Peter, 17, to different suspended jail terms, for cybercrime. They were both jailed on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 after pleading guilty to one count separate charge bordering on cybercrime, upon their arraignment by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. They pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to them. Justice Afolabi therefore convicted and sentenced Clinton to two-year suspended sentence. The judge ordered him to close down his bank account and banned from using a phone or any computer except for academic purposes, till he turns 18 years. Peter, on the other hand, has a one year suspended sentence and is to return all proceeds of his crime to the Federal Government. Both convicts are also to close down their social media accounts and barred from going on social media. In addition, both convicts, with the supervision of officials of EFCC and their parents or guardians, are expected to report back to the court on December 7, 2022 with their report cards and statements of good conduct from their teachers and schools. A bad report will mean that they will be in prison to serve their jail terms. Clinton bagged the suspended sentence for using his MacBook Air laptop to fraudulently impersonate one Feng Zhang, living in China, with the intent of gaining advantage for himself while Obiyan created a Facebook account impersonating Jerry Wang from Hong Kong with the intention of taking advantage of unsuspecting users of the app for his fraudulent purposes. The press release contains a photo of each precocious 419er: two-juvenile-internet-fraudsters-bag-suspended-jail-terms ************************************* 6 JUL 2022 Two Internet Fraudsters Convicted in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on July, 5, 2022, conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters, one John Justine and Felix James Keke before Justice Darius Khobo, of a Kaduna State High Court, on charges that bordered on impersonation. While Justine was prosecuted on one count charge of impersonation and love scam, Keke faced a four count charge of impersonation. The one count amended charge against Justine reads: "That you, John Justine "M" sometime in July 2022 in Kaduna within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud had in your possession forged documents titled "romantic relationship format" and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 349 of Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017". The suspect pleaded guilty to the one count amended charge when it was read to him. Upon his guilty plea,Justice Khobo convicted and sentenced the defendant to three months imprisonment with an option of a fine of N100,000,00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira). John is also to forfeit one Apple iPhone 6S. John's trouble started when he was arrested in a sting operation at Unguwan Rimi axis of Kaduna metropolis following intelligence reports on his involvement in cyber-fraud. Upon his arrest, a document found on him revealed that he assumed the identity of one Dwayne Young on his Facebook account through which he lured his victims(Lorena , Matilda and Tassica) into romantic relationships. In the same vein, Felix James Keke was convicted and sentenced to three months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000,00 (One Hundred Thousand naira) on a four counts charge of Impersonation. He is to also forfeit one Apple iPhone 6S to the Federal Government. Felix used twitter social media platform to impersonate one Aditya Singh, Blocchain Backer, Open4profit, and Bitcoin Expert India, and defraud unsuspecting victims. Count one of the charges reads: "That you, Felix James Keke (M), sometime between February and June 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, in an attempt to commit Cybercrime impersonated one Aditya Singh on twitter, an on-line social media application, which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017". Count three reads: "That you, Felix James Keke (M), sometime between February and June 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, in an attempt to commit Cybercrime impersonated one Open4profit on twitter, an on-line social media application, which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017". The suspect pleaded guilty to all the four counts when they were read to him. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: two-internet-fraudsters-convicted-in-kaduna ******************************** 6 JUL 2022 Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters in Benin The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on July 5, 2022 secured the conviction of two internet fraudsters, Freedom Ovie and Idogho Junior, on a one count charge of personation before Justices Efe Ikponmwonba and M. Itsueli of the Edo State High sitting in Benin City, Edo State. Ovie impersonated one Stephen Dickson, a US Army personnel, while Junior impersonated one Alexander Mark, an American actor, with intent to defraud them. The charge against Ovie reads: "that you, Freedom Ovie sometimes in February, 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Stephen Dickson, a US army officer, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as Applicable in Edo State) 1976". The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Francis A.Jirbo and Aham Ozigbu, prayed the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, the defence counsel pleaded with the courts to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first-time offenders. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Ovie to three years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira fine. The judge also ordered that the Tecno phone recovered in the course of the investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Junior to three years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: court-jails-two-internet-fraudsters-in-benin *************************************** 5 JUL 2022 Two Internet Fraudsters Convicted in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, July 4, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of the duo of Ahmad Ahmad and Friday Arome Okedi before Justice A.A Bello of the Kaduna State High Court, Kaduna on separate one count charge bordering on cheating by personation. The duo was part of the syndicate of five fraudsters arrested at Unguwan Rimi following intelligence reports on their internet fraud activities. One of the charges against the defendants reads: "That you, Ahmad Ahmad, "M", sometime in January, 2022, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did attempt to commit an offence by impersonating a celebrity known as "Yo Yow" on twitter and chatted with Wesley and others unsuspecting persons with the intention of defrauding them money and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 of the Penal Code Law, 2017 of Kaduna State and punishable under Section 142(1) law". The other count reads: "That you, Friday Arome Okedi sometime in May, 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud falsely presented yourself as Ash WSB, a crypto trader, to the members of the public on twitter and you thereby committed an offence of impersonation contrary to and punishable under Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017". Both defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charge. Upon their guilty plea, Justice Bello convicted and sentenced the defendants to three months imprisonment and a fine of N100, 000,00. Failure to pay the fine, they shall serve an additional two months in prison. The court further ordered Ahmad, to forfeit one Apple iPhone 7 and an MTN SIM card while Friday is to forfeit one Infinix Hot 7 phone, an MTN SIM card, one Apple iPhone 7, an Airtel SIM card and one set of Airpods to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: two-internet-fraudsters-convicted-in-kaduna ************************************** 5 JUL 2022 EFCC Arraigns Fake FBI Director The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned a fake Director of the American Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Adamu Yahaya Jiyaba before Justice N.I. Afolabi of the Federal High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State. He was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on cybercrime. The charge reads: "that you, Adamu Yayaha Jiyaba sometime in 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court attempted to commit an offence to wit: imputed a data that you are Robert S. Muller, the FBI Director with the intention that such inauthentic data will be considered or acted upon and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 13 of the Cybercrime (Provision, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Section of the Act." He pleaded not guilty to the charge. Justice Afolabi adjourned the matter till October 26 and 27 2022 for commencement of trial, while Jiyaba was remanded in the Lafia Correctional Centre. The press release contains a photo of "Mr. Mueller": efcc-arraigns-fake-fbi-director *********************************** 5 JUL 2022 Two Convicted of Cyber-fraud in Ibadan Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, convicted and sentenced the duo of Olalekan Faruk Opeyemi and Abiodun Emmanuel Olalekan on a separate one count charge each for criminal impersonation, contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000 and punishable under same Act. The charge against Olalekan reads: "That you, Olalekan Faruk Opeyemi "M" sometime in September, 2021 in Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did falsely represented yourself as Linda Kate, an American woman, while using the email address: farukolalekan@gmail.com which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." The charge against Abiodun reads: “That you, Abiodun Emmanuel Olalekan ""’ on or about the 30th day of March, 2022 at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did falsely represented yourself as Sara Hill, which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." The defendants who were arraigned by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC, pleaded guilty to the charges. Following their pleas, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced Olalekan to six months imprisonment and Abiodun, six months community service. In addition, the judge ordered that the convicts restitute their victims and forfeit to the Federal Government, all items recovered from them. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: two-convicted-of-cyber-fraud-in-ibadan ************************************ 5 JUL 2022 EFCC Arraigns Man for Internet Fraud in Lagos The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on July 4, 2022, arraigned one Solomon Akhigbe Idonije before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a seven-count charge to the tune of N20,080,000 bordering on obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 1(1) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. One of the charges reads: "Solomon Akhigbe Idonije sometimes on 21st of December 2020 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N4,800,000.00 from one Iyen Omowuiugbe by falsely representing to him that the money was for Forex Trade through Solomon Ace Forex Investments and that as an investor, will be entitled to 25% ROI (Return on Investment) in 25 days, whereas you used the money to offset your debts to other investors in your company." Another count reads: "Solomon Akhigbe Idonije sometimes on 23rd of December 2020 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N4,100,000 from one Iyen Omowuiugbe by falsely representing to him that the money was for Forex Trade through Solomon Ace Forex Investments and that as an investor, will be entitled to 25% ROI (Return on Investment) in 25 days, whereas you used the money to offset your debts to other investors in your company." He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges. Thereafter, E.S. Okongwu, who held the brief of the prosecuting counsel, G.C. Akaogu, prayed the court for a trial date in order to enable the prosecution present its witnesses and evidence to prove the case against the defendant. The defence counsel, Jonathan Okagbero, however informed the court of an application for the bail of the defendant. Justice Taiwo, afterwards adjourned till July 13, 2022 for hearing of the bail application, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody till then. The press release contains a photo: efcc-arraigns-man-for-internet-fraud-in-lagos ************************************** 5 JUL 2022 EFCC Arrests 18 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 18 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja. The suspects are: ThankGod Oche, Joshua Olohja, Adamu Abdulkadir, David Bruno Bidemi, Emmanuel Avoh, Micheal Oche, Francis Abbah, Kayode Itodo, Shedrack Chibuike, Okeowo Elijah. Others are: Victor Emmanuel, Emmanuel Edache, Abah Joseph Theophilus, Sunday Agidani, Elijah Adamu, Emmanuel Ahme, Moses Agada and Adacole Michel. They were arrested on July 4, 2022 at Trademore Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, following intelligence reports received by the Commission about their alleged involvement in internet related fraud. Items recovered from the suspects include a Lexus car, laptop computers, and mobile phones. The suspects will be charged to court after investigations are concluded. Thw press release includes a group photo: efcc-arrests-18-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-abuja *************************************** 4 JUL 2022 Two Jailed for Romance Scam in Abuja The Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of two fraudsters, Destiny Unabor and Confidence Ekeanya before Justices A.A Halilu and S.B. Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo and Bwari respectively, for charges bordering on impersonation and romance scam. Unabor created a Facebook page with the name, Steven Zheng, a Singaporean engineer, and professed love to Seika Goto and Jennifer Chen, both Chinese nationals, in an attempt to obtain financial benefit from them. Upon arraignment today July 4, 2022, he pleaded guilty to a one count charge. In view of his plea, Justice Halilu sentenced Unabor to one year in prison with the option of a fine of N70,000 (Seventy Thousand Naira only). He is also to forfeit his phone and laptop to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Similarly, Justice Belgore sentenced Ekeanya to one year in prison with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira only) fine. He is also to forfeit his mobile phone and laptop and restitute $650 (Six Hundred and Fifty US Dollars) to his victim. He was jailed after pleading guilty to a one count charge. He induced one Mr. Collins, an American, to deliver the sum of $5,000 (Five Thousand US Dollars) to him over a phantom romantic relationship while pretending to be Stephanie, based in London. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: two-jailed-for-romance-scam-in-abuja ************************************ 4 JUL 2022 Internet Fraud: Eight Convicted in Ibadan The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, July 1, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of eight internet fraudsters before different Courts in Ibadan, Oyo State on separate amended one count charge each of fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The offences contravene Section 22 (2) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and Section 419 and 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The convicts are Alabi Gift Jesse, Sulaimon Qudus Olasukanmi, Ridwan Gbolahan Olayiwola, Adenuga Adeniran Sunday, Afuye Adeniyi Emmanuel, Yusuf Ademola Matthew, Adele Fuad Ayinde and Olayinka Taiwo Olaniyi. The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them. Upon their pleas, prosecution counsel, Mabas Mabur and Shamsuddeen Bashir, urged the courts to convict and sentence them as charged. Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court convicted and sentenced Jesse to eleven months imprisonment, while Justice Iyabo Yerima of the Oyo State High Court convicted and sentenced Emmanuel and Matthew to six months community service each. Similarly, Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court convicted and sentenced Olasukanmi, Olayiwola, Sunday, Ayinde and Olaniyi to six months community service each. The convicts were ordered by the courts to restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government. The prees release contains small photos of all 8 419ers: internet-fraud-eight-convicted-in-ibadan ********************************* 2 JUL 2022 Court Jails One in Abuja for $10,000 Fraud Justice C.O Agashieze of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting in Kwali Abuja has convicted and sentenced Mayor Adonor to a fine of N50,000( Fifty Thousand Naira) for obtaining money under false pretence. He was jailed on July 1, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, preferred against him by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The count reads, "that you Mayor Adonor (AKA Zack Chang, Mayor Mei, Alex Chang, Chen Wei and Efua Chang) sometime in 2022, at Abuja FCT within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, through your Facebook account cheat by pretending to be a Chinese oil and gas engineer based in Italy and in that regard you tricked your victim by name Karen with intent to obtain $10,000 (Ten thousand US Dollars only) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 321 and 322 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation (Abuja), 1990 respectively." Based on his plea, Justice Agashieze convicted and sentenced him to a fine of N50,000. Adonor began his journey to the Correctional Centre when he was arrested by operatives of the Abuja Zonal Command of the EFCC for fraudulent dealings. He was prosecuted and convicted. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-jails-one-in-abuja-for-10-000-fraud ***************************************** 1 JUL 2022 Fake America Military Officer, One Other Jailed For Cybercrime in Ilorin Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court, Ilorin on Friday July 1, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Adesanya Adeolu Tosin, a 300-Level Student of Federal University, Lokoja to one-year imprisonment for posing as America Military Officer to defraud his unsuspecting victims. Adesanya was convicted alongside one Usman Abubakar from Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned the duo on separate charges bordering on cybercrime and retention of proceeds of unlawful activities. The defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them. Following his guilty pleas, Innocent Mbachie and Sesan Ola who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, phones, drafts which they brought as restitution to their victims and fraudulent messages printed from his devices, which were admitted in evidence. They urged the Court to convict the defendants in line with their pleas. Justice Sani in his judgment said from the totality of evidence brought by the prosecution, the court was convinced that the EFCC has proved its cases beyond reasonable doubt and subsequently convicted the defendants as charged. The judge sentenced Adesanya to one-year imprisonment with option of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. The court also ordered that one iPhone 12 Pro Max which he used to perpetrate the crime and a draft of N600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand Naira Only) which he raised as restitution to his victims, be forfeited to the Federal Government. Justice Sani imposed a jail term of three years on Usman with option of N479,290.00 (Four Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety Naira Only) fine. In addition, the convict is to forfeit his iPhone X 5 and Samsung s8 which he used to perpetrate the crime and also restitute the sum of N279,290.00 (Two Hundred and Seventy Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety Naira ) to his victim. fake-america-military-officer-one-other-jailed-for-cybercrime-in-ilorin ***************************************** 1 JUL 2022 Employment Scam: Abuja Court Sends Self-styled SA to EFCC Chairman to Prison The Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on June 30, 2022, secured the conviction of one Obochi Simeon Iwodi before Justice A.O. Musa of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja on a one count charge bordering on cheating by impersonation. While posing as Special Adviser to the EFCC Chairman, the defendant induced some job seekers to pay various sums to him on the pretext that he would help facilitate their employment into the EFCC. The count reads, "that you, Obochi Simeon Iwodi, between August 2020 and August 2021 within the Judicial Division of the Federal Territory High Court, Abuja did cheat by pretending to be the Special Adviser (SA) to Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC carried out an illegal act by inducing one Abah Job Ebute and others to deliver to you the aggregate sum of N1,800,000 (One Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) under the guise that you are capable of giving them employment in EFCC, a fact you know to be false and you thereby committed an offence of Cheating by Personation contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation (Abuja), 1990 and punishable under Section 324 of the same Law". He pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his guilty plea, Justice Musa sentenced Iwodi, who had restituted his victims in full, to one year in prison with an option of N700, 000 (Seven Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. employment-scam-abuja-court-sends-self-styled-sa-to-efcc-chairman-to-prison ************************************* 1 JUL 2022 Cybercrime: Oyo Court Jails Two The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June 30, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of the duo of Alani Ridwan Kalejaye and Ishola Abdullahi Ademola before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on separate one count charge which bordered on impersonation. The defendants were arraigned on Monday, June 27, 2022, and they pleaded guilty to the charges filed against them by the EFCC. The prosecution counsel reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered documents in evidence before urging the court to convict and sentence them as charged. Consequently, Justice Agomoh convicted the duo and adjourned the matter to June 30, 2022 for sentencing. At the resumed hearing, Justice Agomoh sentenced Alani Ridwan Kalejaye and Ishola Abdullahi Ademola to four and six months imprisonment respectively. The court further ordered that the convicts restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government. The charge against Alani reads: "That you, Alani Ridwan Kalejaye sometime in September, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to gain advantage for yourself did impersonate one Anna Thomas, the pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015." The charge against Ishola reads: "That you, Ishola Abdullahi Ademola sometime in December, 2021, within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, with intent to gain advantage for yourself did impersonate one Kimberly Sandra, the pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.)Act, 2015." cybercrime-oyo-court-jails-two ******************************* 30 JUN 2022 Shun Cybercrime, Bawa Charges NYSC Members The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has charged Nigerian youths to shun cybercrime and other forms of criminality. Bawa stated this today, June 30, 2022 at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Okada Town, Edo State while delivering a lecture on the Role of Youths in Curbing Cybercrime. Bawa, who was represented by Williams Oseghale, Head, Public Affairs Department, Benin Zonal Command, stated that the youths were critical in the fight against economic and financial crimes. "Apart from the fact that they are considered as leaders of tomorrow, most economic crimes, especially cyber crimes are committed by young people. It therefore follows that young people must not be mere spectators in the anti-graft campaign, rather they should be foot soldiers leading the mass rout of corruption and economic crimes out of our land". The EFCC boss urged the youths to embrace hard work as there is no shortcut to wealth and fame. "Acts of criminality might deliver wealth in the short term but ultimately they lead to misery". At the NYSC camp at Iyana Ipaja, the EFCC chairman who was represented by Ayo Oyewole, Head, PAD, Lagos Command reiterated the together-against- corruption call and urged Nigerian youths to lend a hand in building a society where there is respect for law and order and where impunity is a thing of the past. He described the youth as catalysts in the fight against corruption and urged them to become whistleblowers wherever they find themselves by reporting acts that fail the simple test of integrity. At the NYSC Orientation Camp, Ise/Emure/Oru, Ekiti State, Gbenga Adewoye of the Public Affairs Department, Ilorin Zonal Command, who delivered the Chairman's message charged the corps members to take ownership of the fight against graft. "The Commission cannot do it alone, I beseech you all this morning to take ownership of the fight against corruption and contribute your quota for the betterment of this country," he said Speaking at the NYSC Camp at Kiama, Bayelsa State, the EFCC boss who was represented by Bako Aliyu Doma, Head, Foreign Exchange Malpractice Section, FEMS tasked the corps members to be anti-graft agents by enlisting as foot soldiers in the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country. “Be role models in your respective areas of primary assignments. Join EFCC/NYSC Community Development Service, CD Groups for more enduring and robust engagement." In a similar message delivered by Bassey Prince Effiong, Head, Cyber Crimes Section at NYSC Camp, Umunna, Bende Local Government Area, Abia State, he warned the corps members to shun internet fraud as it was capable of truncating their future. At the Orientation Camp at Nonwa-gbam, Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State, Akpos Ekisowei, Head, PAD, Port Harcourt Zonal Command called on the corps members to embrace hard work and shun inordinate ambition. The same message was simultaneously delivered by Adeniran Adebayo, Head, PAD, Makudi at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Wannune, Tarka LGA, Benue State just as Nana Fatima Abubakar of PAD delivered the message at the NYSC Orientation camp in Kaduna. The duo of Chika Uneke and Mary Ogolekwu were at the NYSC Orientation camp at Issele Uku, Delta State and Ikare-Akoko Ondo State respectively to deliver the EFCC chairman's message. Some other officers were at various NYSC camps across the nation to deliver the Executive Chairman's message of accountability, transparency, probity and integrity to thousands of corps members. shun-cybercrime-bawa-charges-nysc-members ************************************** 30 JUN 2022 Another Yahoo Boy Convicted for Cybercrime in Oyo Justice Bayo Taiwo of an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, today, Thursday, June 30, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Shotayo Shola Olayinka to six months community service on a one-count charge of impersonation. The one count charge reads, "that you, Shotayo Shola Olayinka 'M' on or about the 11th of February, 2022 in Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, created a profile on a dating website with the email rebeccawayne31@gmail.com whereby you represented yourself with the name Rebecca Wayne, an American from Washington DC, and by this means you obtained benefits and gained advantage (including benefiting from one Martin Galusha the sum of $190 Dollars and other benefits including an iPhone pro mobile handset and an HP laptop), a pretext which you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence." He pleaded "guilty" to the charge when read to him. Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Sanusi Galadanchi informed the court that the convict had entered into a "plea bargain" agreement with the Commission. He reviewed the facts of the case, tendered the documents and confessional statements of the defendant which were admitted in evidence. He then urged the court to convict and sentence Shotayo as charged. Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced Shotayo to six months community service. The convict was ordered to restitute his victims and forfeit all items recovered from him to the Federal Government. another-yahoo-boy-convicted-for-cybercrime-in-oyo ************************************ 30 JUN 2022 Court Sends Four Internet Fraudsters to Jail in Ibadan Justices Olusola Adetuoye, Ladiran Akintola and Omolara Adeyemi of Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, have convicted and sentenced Jamilu Umaru Muhammad, Hammed Ayomide Rasheed, Aigoro Afeez Olabanji and Olatunji Gbolahan Toheeb to six months community service each for internet fraud. The convicts were jailed on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on obtaining by false pretences, upon their arraignment by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC. The charge against Jamilu reads, "That you, Jamilu Umaru Muhammad "M" on or about 30th March, 2022, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $300USD (Three Hundred United States Dollars) from one Shaun Stenstorm by falsely representing to her that it is a deposit towards her winning of $2,400USD and other pretences, which pretences you knew to be false. Obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." The charge against Hammed reads: “That you, Hammed Ayomide Rasheed "M" on or about the 29th of October 2021 in Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, created a profile on a dating website with the email lanareynolds78@gmail.com whereby you represented yourself with the name Jose Ernesto, an American, and by this means you obtained benefits and gained advantage (including benefiting from your victims the sum of $1,000 Dollars), a pretext which you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." They pleaded “guilty” to the offences when read to them. Based on their pleas, EFCC’s counsel, Mabas Mabur prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Consequently, Justice Adetujoye convicted and sentenced Muhammed to six months community service, Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Rasheed to six months community service, while Justice Adeyemi also convicted and sentenced Olabanji and Toheeb to six months community service respectively. The convicts were ordered by the court to restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Specifically, Olabanji was ordered by the court to restitute his victim, the sum of $1,300USD (One Thousand Three Hundred United States Dollars) while Toheeb is to pay the sum of $1,600USD (One Thousand Six Hundred United States Dollars) in restitution to his victims, and forfeit one gold -coloured iPhone 12 Pro Max mobile phone to the government. court-sends-four-internet-fraudsters-to-jail-in-ibadan ******************************** 29 JUN 2022 NANS Seeks Collaboration with EFCC in Tackling Cybercrime The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Zone B, South-South Zone, has indicated its readiness to collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the fight against internet crimes on campuses within the region. The Association expressed this resolve on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 in Port Harcourt while its leaders paid a Courtesy Visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the EFCC. Leader of the Association, Comrade Levi Okuru, conveyed NANS' satisfaction with the EFCC, for its tireless efforts in the fight against economic and financial crimes, most importantly, cybercrimes, and called for collaboration with the Commission in combating the crime among students. "We came here today because we feel this Commission is working for the good of the nation... So, having partnership with a Commission like this will guide us to be good future leaders. As such, NANS in the zone is looking forward to propose a campus to campus anti- cybercrime sensitization tour and this will cut across the zone. The zone comprises all the states in South-South and their Universities", he said. Okuru also commended the EFCC for growing the national economy by fighting every threat to its development. "One of our problems is the economy, so, if you see an agency that is ready to fight those that are making our economy not to grow, we should be able to appreciate it", he said. While receiving the NANS delegation on behalf of the Commission, the Port Harcourt's Zonal Commander, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE Nwanneka Nwokike commended the student leaders for the visit. "I thank you for coming here today most especially, the leadership of NANS in the South-South Zone, I am happy that we are having some young people who can boldly come forward for this kind of visit." He called on Nigerian youths not to be in a hurry to make money but to be hard-working and patient. "No situation should make our youths to do wrong things", he said. nans-seeks-collaboration-with-efcc-in-tackling-cybercrime *************************************** 29 JUN 2022 Man Bags Jail Term for Internet Fraud in Abuja The Abuja Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on June 29, 2022, secured the conviction of one Yusuf Abass before Justice S. U. Bature of the FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a one count charge bordering on internet fraud. The charge reads, "that you, Yusuf Abass between February and May 2022 at Abuja within the Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory by deceiving did attempt to cheat the duo of Bich Van Bui and Winnie Chu, Indian nationals, by representing yourself as one Babul Khan through the means of your email sananurgag242@gmail.com and Facebook page with profile name Babul Khan and professing love to them in facilitation of your attempt to obtain financial benefit to yourself which representation you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 95 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation (Abuja), 1990 and punishable under Section 322 of the same Law." The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Consequently, Justice Bature convicted and sentenced Abass to three months in prison with an option of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira only) fine. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: man-bags-jail-term-for-internet-fraud-in-abuja *************************************** 29 JUN 2022 Ado-Ekiti Yahoo-Boy Jailed Two Years, Loses N13m Car to FG The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of one Olukayode Emmanuel Olamilekan from Akure, Ondo State for offences bordering on cybercrime. Olukayode, 26, was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment by Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court, Ilorin after he was found guilty of the two-count charges levelled against him by the EFCC. The convict was among the thirty suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Ado-Ekiti on April 26, 2022 during a sting operation. Investigation into the matter revealed that Olukayode, who is currently jobless is into internet fraud and had benefited several millions of naira from his fraudulent activities, part of which he used to purchase a Mercedes Benz ML 350 for N13million. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Following his guilty plea, counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, reviewed the facts of the case. He tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendant, phones, HP laptop and the car recovered from him at the point of arrest as well as fraudulent messages printed from his devices, which were admitted in evidence. Ola urged the court to convict the defendant in line with his plea and the exhibits tendered before it. Justice Sani in his judgement said he found merit in the case of the prosecution and consequently convicted the defendant. The judge sentenced Olukayode to one-year imprisonment on counts one and two with option of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine on each count. The court also ordered the forfeiture of one iPhone 12, infinix x 65, HP laptop and Mercedes Benz ML 350 recovered from the convict, to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: ado-ekiti-yahoo-boy-jailed-two-years-loses-n13m-car-to-fg ******************************************** 28 JUN 2022 AC Technician, Three Others Jailed for Cybercrime in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of one Pelumi Oluwatimileyin Sunday, an air conditioner technician, over offences bordering on cybercrime. Pelumi was sentenced alongside three others over similar offence. They are Uloko George Ojonugwa, a student of Federal University, Lokoja; Godspower Fatodun Sesan from Ilawe-Ekiti in Ekiti South-West Local Government Area of Ekiti State and one Blessing Tope Abejide. The quartet of Pelumi, Uloko, Godspower and Blessing were prosecuted on separate charges before Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin. They all pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Following their pleas, Innocent Mbachie and Sesan Ola who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the EFCC reviewed the facts of the cases. They tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, phones and laptops recovered from them at the point of arrest and all the fraudulent messages printed from their devices, which the court admitted in evidence. The prosecuting counsel urged the court to convict the defendants in line with the guilty plea entered by them, their confessional statements and all the exhibits tendered. Justice Sani in his judgement on Monday, June 27, 2022 said the court was satisfied that the prosecution had proved its cases beyond reasonable doubt and pronounced them guilty. Consequently, the judge sentenced Pelumi to three years imprisonment with option of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine. Godspower bagged two years imprisonment with option of N324, 817 (Three Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventeen Naira) fine. The court also ordered that the phones, which the convict used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. Uloko was equally sentenced to three years imprisonment with option of N739, 468.00 (Seven Hundred and Thirty Nine Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty Eight Naira Only) fine. The court also sentenced Blessing to one year imprisonment on count one with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine and three years imprisonment on count two or a fine of one hundred percent of what he benefited. ac-technician-three-others-jailed-for-cybercrime-in-ilorin ************************************* 28 JUN 2022 Man Bags Six Months Jail Term for Attempted Fraud in Abuja The Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on June 27, 2022, secured the conviction of Matins Daniel before Justice Binta Dogonyaro of the FCT High Court, Apo, Abuja, on a one count charge bordering on attempt to cheat by personation. The charge reads, "that you, Matins Daniel sometime in 2020 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory attempted to commit an offence to wit: created an Instagram profile with the name Malcolm, an American citizen, with the intention to cheat by personation for financial gains, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 95 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation (Abuja), 1990 and punishable under Section 324 of the same Law." He pleaded guilty to the charge. Consequently, Justice Dogonyaro convicted and sentenced 23-year-old Daniel to six months in prison with an option of N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira only) fine. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: man-bags-six-months-jail-term-for-attempted-fraud-in-abuja ***************************************** 27 JUN 2022 Two Jailed for Internet Fraud in Abuja Justice S.B Belgore of the High Court of the FCT sitting in Bwari, Abuja today, June 27, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Augustine Ogar and Eze Samuel to one year imprisonment for internet fraud. They were prosecuted on a one count charge each by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Ogar's charge reads: "that you, Augustine Ogar sometime in 2020 within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court by deceiving while pretending to be a medical doctor, Thomas White from USA through the means of Facebook and Hangout account created with jameswhite@gmail.com cheated by inducing one Karen Gilbert from America to deliver to you the sum of N515,000 (Five Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Naira only)in the guise of assisting her in getting drugs for her ailment, a fact which you knew to be false and that you thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 320 (b) and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation (Abuja),1990". Eze on his part, was arraigned for attempting to cheat unsuspecting victims while pretending to be in romantic relationships with them. They both pleaded guilty to the charges. Following their guilty pleas, Justice Belgore convicted and sentenced both to one year jail term. The court however gave Ogar the option of a fine of N150,000(One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only), and Eze, N50,000(Fifty Thousand Naira only). Ogar will in addition forfeit his laptop and mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. two-jailed-for-internet-fraud-in-abuja ********************************** 27 JUN 2022 Court Sends 10 Fraudsters to Jail in Uyo Justices Toyin Bolaji Adegoke and Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State have convicted and sentenced ten(10) fraudsters to different jail terms for different offences. They were convicted on Friday, June 24, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges upon their arraignment by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. While eight of the convicts: Amos Richard Perekime, Ben Goodluck, Solomon Oghenefejiro Daniel, Ugbabe Ogah Nelson, Prosper Oweifah, Christopher Samuel Akpan, Ojei Ekene Franklin and Uzobo Lucky Divine pleaded guilty to one-count charge bordering on criminal impersonation and obtaining by false pretense, the other two convicts : Ekere Ekong and Obot Eshiet pleaded guilty to a charge bordering on obtaining by false pretences. The lone count reads: "That you, Prosper Oweifah sometime in 2022 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented yourself as David Fumero, a medical doctor from Turkey to one Leslie Akers and obtained the sum of $500 from her and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (b) (iv) of the same Act". Prosecution counsel, E. Ubokudom and Adebayo Soares prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However, defence counsel, Ndifreke Inyang-Ette pleaded for leniency and lighter sentence. Adegoke convicted and sentenced Perekime, Goodluck, Daniel, Nelson and Oweifah to one year imprisonment each, without an option of a fine and sentenced Ekong and Eshiet to two years imprisonment each, without an option of fine. The other three defendants: Akpan, Franklin and Divine were convicted and sentenced by Justice Okeke to three months, one month and six months jail terms respectively, without any option of fine. The convicts' journey to the Correctional Centre started when they were arrested on different dates, and at different locations within Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and Calabar, Cross River State for different offences. Perekime, Goodluck, Daniel, Nelson and Oweifah, Akpan, Franklin and Divine were prosecuted and convicted for impersonating foreigners and defrauding their victims, mostly foreigners of various sums of money, while Ekong and Eshiet sold a plot of land to a petitioner in the Shelter Afrique area of Uyo for N9,000, 000( Nine Million Naira only) only for the petitioner to discover that the land belonged to someone else entirely. They neither returned the money to the petitioner nor offered him an alternative plot of land. The press release contains small photos of some of the 419ers: court-sends-10-fraudsters-to-jail-in-uyo *********************************** 27 JUN 2022 Cyber-Fraud: Three Convicted, Forfeit N17.2m in Oyo A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday, June 24, 2022 convicted the trio of Olashoju Mohammed Abiodun, Eniatimo Oludare Samson and Olaniran Abiodun for internet-related fraud. The convicts were arraigned on separate one count charges each for offences relating to cyber-fraud. The charge against Abiodun reads: "That you, Olashoju Mohammed Abiodun 'M' (aka Clara Walta) sometime in 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, impersonated one Clara Walta, a Brazilian woman by which you obtained benefits and gained advantage, a pretext which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015." The charge against Samson reads, “That you, Eniatimo Oludare Samson sometime in July 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, knowingly impersonated one Clifford Allen, when you falsely represented yourself as such to one Natasha Stansel Laird via your Gmail Account in order to gain advantage for yourself contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the same Act." The charge against Abiodun reads: "That you, Olaniran Abiodun sometime in 2020, within the jurisdiction of this Honourabel Court, did aid some suspected internet fraudsters now at large to commit felony, to wit: impersonation, to gain advantage for themselves and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 27 (2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015." They pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against them. Afterwards, the prosecution counsel, Abdulrasheed Suleiman reviewed the facts of the cases, tendered documents as evidence and urged the court to convict and sentence them as charged. Consequently, Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced Abiodun to nine months imprisonment, Samson five months imprisonment while Abiodun bagged seven months jail term. Also, the court ordered that Samson pay the sum of N11, 733, 248.74 (Eleven Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-Eight Naira, Seventy-Four Kobo) warehoused in his First Bank account and the sum of N153, 647.67 (One Hundred and Fifty-Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-Seven Naira, Sixty-Seven Kobo) found in his United Bank of Africa account as restitution. The press release includes photos of the 419ers: cyber-fraud-three-convicted-forfeit-n17-2m-in-oyo *************************************** 22 JUN 2022 Two FBI- Wanted Fraudsters Bag Seven Years in Enugu Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu has convicted and sentenced two fraudsters on the Watch List of the American Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, to seven years imprisonment for internet- related offences. The convicts: Uchechukwu Solomon Ezirim and Dike George Chimezie got their jail terms on different dates in the same court. While Ezirim was jailed on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, Chimezie was convicted on Friday, June 10, 2022. Ezirim's conviction was based on his trial by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on two- count charges bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining money from unsuspecting foreign nationals under false pretences. One of the charges against him read: "that you,Uchechukwu Solomon Ezirim with one Chukwudi Igbokwe currently serving prison term in the United States of America.) sometimes between 2015 and 2017 at Owerri ,Imo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dealt with the card of another person and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 34 of the of the Money Laundering Act (Prohibition ,Prevention, Etc), 2015." Justice Buba convicted and sentenced him to three years imprisonment with an option of fine of N1,000,000( One Million Naira). Chimezie, on the other hand was sentenced to four years imprisonment with an option of forfeiting five times the amount he benefited from the crime. He benefited N766,000 from the crime and he is to forfeit N3,830,000 ( Three Million , Eight Hundred and Thirty Million Naira) in lieu of prison terms. The convicts' journey to the Correctional Centre started when they were placed on a Watch List by the FBI for impersonation and cybercrimes. They were later arrested by operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC and charged to court. Their trials ran a full course leading to their eventual conviction. The press release contains a photo of each 419er two-fbi-wanted-fraudsters-bag-seven-years-in-enugu ***************************************** 22 JUN 2022 Three Cybercriminals Bag Community Service Terms in Oyo, Osun The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, secured the conviction of the trio of Seun Omotayo Oladele, Dauda Sodiq Adegoke and Yusuf Idris Damola before Justices Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State and Omolara Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State. They were arraigned on separate one count charges for bordering on cybercrime. The charge against Oladele reads, "That you, Seun Omotayo Oladele 'M' on or about the 6th day of May, 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated one Kate Michael via your Google Gmail account with Gmail address kate43620@gmail.com with intent to gain monetary advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the same Act." The charge against Damola reads: " That you, Yusuf Idris Damola 'M' on or about the 29th day of October, 2021 at Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the total sum of $2,667.09 (Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixty Seven United States Dollars, Nine Cent) through your Bitcoin Wallet from an unsuspecting victim from United States of America by falsely representing that you are a female by the name Karly Holman, and other pretences, which you knew to be false, and obtaining property by false pretence contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, laws of Oyo State, 2000." Justice Ayo-Emmanuel convicted and sentenced Oladele to six months community service that will involve the cleaning of toilets at Criminal Investigation Department, Osun State Police Command in Osogbo for six months. Similarly, Justice Adeyemi convicted and sentenced Dauda Sodiq Adegoke and Yusuf Idris Damola to six months community service each. Also, the convicts were ordered to restitute their victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government. The charge against Adegoke reads, "That you, Dauda Sodiq Adegoke on or about the 29th day of October, 2021 at Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, impersonated John Marshall, a white man from the United State of America, an offence contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." They pleaded "guilty" to the charges filed against them by the EFCC. Upon their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Samsuddeen Bashir and Sanusi Galadanchi urged the courts to convict and sentence them as charged. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: three-cybercriminals-bag-community-service-terms-in-oyo-osun ************************************** 21 JUN 2022 Engineer, POS Operator Jailed for Cybercrime in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction a certain Oyewole Maruf Damilare, who claimed to be an Engineer from Ifedore Local Government Area of Osun State and one Olusanya Idowu Lukman, a PoS operator from Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State. Justice Mahmoud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin convicted and sentenced the duo to various jail terms, having found them guilty of offences bordering on cybercrime and possession of proceeds of illegal activities levelled against them by the EFCC. The Commission arraigned Oyewole on two count charges of cheating by personation and possession of proceeds of unlawful activities, while Olusanya was prosecuted on one count of personation whence he allegedly posed as one Lena Kincy on Facebook to scam unsuspecting victim. The defendants were arrested on April 22, 2022 at Agric Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State by operatives of EFCC following intelligence reports on the activities of some internet fraudsters operating in the area. They pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Rasheedat Alao who represented the Commission in the two cases reviewed the facts of the cases. She presented witnesses who are operatives of the Commission. The witnesses, while testifying tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, different brand of phones recovered from them at the point of arrest and several fraudulent messages printed from their devices, which were admitted in evidence. Thereafter, Alao urged the court to consider the guilty pleas, the extra judicial statements of the defendants and all the exhibits tendered before it to convict the defendants as charged. In his judgment, Justice Abdulgafar said the court had carefully evaluated the evidence placed before it, the guilty plea of by the defendants and all the exhibits tendered and he was convinced that the prosecution had not only established the elements of the alleged offences against the defendants, but had proved it beyond reasonable doubt. He sentenced Oyewole to three months imprisonment on count 1 with option N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) and six months' imprisonment on count 2 with option N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine. The court ordered that one iPhone 12 which he used to perpetrate the crime and the sum of $400 (Four Hundred United States Dollars), which he benefited from the illegal activities be forfeited to the Federal Government. Similarly, Justice Abdulgafar sentenced Olusanya to six months imprisonment with option N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) fine. The judge also ordered that the iPhone 11 and Apple MacBook laptop, which the convict used to perpetrate the crime and the sum of $400 (Four Hundred United States Dollars) which he benefited from the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of two 419ers: engineer-pos-operator-jailed-for-cybercrime-in-ilorin ********************************************* 21 JUN 2022 Court Sends Three Internet Fraudsters to Prison in Benin Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, convicted and sentenced three internet fraudsters to prison for fraud. The trio, Osahenkhoe Godstime, David Courage Omkagbo, Obikolu Lawrence Chuwuneku, were arraigned on one count charge each by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The charge against Godstime reads: "that you, Osahenkhoe Godstime (M) between 2020 to October 2022in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of one Ashleefx3, an American on your Instagram account with intent to defraud unsuspecting investors in bitcoin business and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976". Upon arraignment the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, I. K. Agwai prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, the defence counsel, Aitenoria Philip pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were remorseful for their actions. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the defendants to three years imprisonment each. The duo of Godstime and Omokagbo were given an option of N100, 000 fine each while Chukwuneku got an option of N150,000 fine. The court also ordered Godstime and Omokagbo to forfeit their cars, Lexus RX350 and Mercedes Benz GLK 2015 model, and mobile phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of each of the 419ers: court-sends-three-internet-fraudsters-to-prison-in-benin ******************************************** 21 JUN 2022 Cyber-Fraud: Yahoo Boy to Wash Toilet for Eight Months in Osun The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, June 20, 2022, secured five convictions before the Federal and State High Courts in Ibadan, Oyo State and Osogbo, Osun State respectively. Among the convicts is Amusa Abdulhakeem Oluwasegunfunmi, a final year student of Transport Planning Management at Tai Solarin University, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State who was sentenced to eight months community service for fraudulent impersonation. The others are Amusa Abdulhakeem Oluwasegunfunmi, Ajisafe Sodiq Olaide, Lawal Samuel Morenikeji, Osuolale Abdullahi Abiodun, and Olamilekan Ridwan Taofeek. They were convicted on separate one count charges each for offences relating to cyber-fraud. Upon their arraignments, they pleaded “guilty” to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel urged the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly. Consequently, Justice Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State convicted and sentenced Oluwasegunfunmi, to eight months community service for fraudulent impersonation, contrary to section 22 (2) (b) (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015. The sentence requires him to clean the toilets at Ataoja School of Science, Osogbo, Osun State. Also, the court ordered that the convict’s attendance register be kept by the School Principal and submitted on completion of his term. Similarly, Justice Iyabo Yerima of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, sentenced Ajisafe Sodiq Olaide to six months community service for obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Laws of Oyo State, 2000. In the same vein, Justice Omolara Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court convicted and sentenced Lawal Samuel Morenikeji to six months community service; Osuolale Abdullahi Abiodun and Olamilekan Ridwan Taofeek to one week community service as their offences violate Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The courts ordered that the convicts restitute their victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government. The press release contains small photos of fice 419ers: cyber-fraud-yahoo-boy-to-wash-toilet-for-eight-months-in-osun ******************************************* 21 JUN 2022 EFCC Charges Students on Commitment to Anti-Corruption Fight The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has called on students across the country to shun economic and financial crimes and join the EFCC to drive the anti- graft war more vigorously. He gave the charge on Monday, June 20, 2022 in Abuja, when students of Divine Mercy Nursery and Primary School came on a study tour of the EFCC at the Commission’s Headquarters. According to him, students hold the ace of the future of Nigeria and their involvement in the fight against corrupt practices is imperative. The EFCC's boss, who spoke through Deputy Commander of the EFCC, DCE Nwayinma Okeanu explained that economic crimes are counter-productive to the development of nations and enjoined them not to allow themselves to be drawn into them. "Economic crimes are a dent on the image and progress of every nation. It is very good you know this, so that we can collectively fight to prevent them. I am so happy today to be talking to young people who will change the face of this country", he said. Speaking on cybercrimes, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Daniel Nwaka took the students through the meaning, dimension, dangers and attendant consequences of cybercrimes, including impersonation, obtaining under false pretence, cyber bullying and forgery, among others. He charged the students to spread the anti-corruption message anywhere they found themselves. Other officers that spoke with the students are Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE Tony Orilade and Head of Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit of the Commission, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Aisha Mohammed. While Orilade took the students through the organogram and various departments in the EFCC and their respective functions, Mohammed encouraged them to obey their parents and teachers as every criminality usually starts from little things as disobedience. "I want you all to be EFCC ambassadors, so when you get home, tell your parents and classmates about corruption and how to fight it. I also encourage your teachers to write to us so that we can inaugurate the EFCC Integrity Club in your school, because I know you are now our ambassadors" The Head Girl of the school, Amarachi Dibor, thanked the EFCC for the wonderful opportunity afforded her colleagues through the study tour. "We greatly appreciate the EFCC for exposing us to what you do for our great nation, we hope and pray that your work will help to produce a better Nigeria", she said. The press release contains a group photo: efcc-charges-students-on-commitment-to-anti-corruption-fight ****************************************** 17 JUN 2022 Court Sends Five Internet Fraudsters To Jail In Uyo Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has convicted and sentenced five internet fraudsters: Henry Nwankwo, Miracle Okoroji, Peter Chima, Okon Mike Edem and Francis Victor Akpan to various terms of imprisonment for cybercrimes. They were convicted on Thursday, June 16, 2022 after pleading guilty to charges bordering on criminal impersonation, upon being arraigned by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Four of the convicts: Nwankwo, Okoroji, Chima and Akpan were arraigned on one-count separate charge while Edem answered to two-counts for being in possession of fraudulent documents and impersonation. One of the charges read: "That you, Miracle Okoroji sometime in 2022 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented yourself as Jim William an American to your victims on Instagram and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and ( ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention E.T.C.) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (b) (iv) of the same Act". They all pleaded "guilty" to their various charges, and in view of their pleas, counsels to the EFCC, S. S. Aribido and Joshua Abolarin thereafter prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However, defence counsels: Rose Esenowo, Victor James and Udeme Tom prayed the court for leniency in sentencing them. Justice Okeke convicted and sentenced them as follows: Edem to six months imprisonment on each of the two counts, without an option of fine, while Chima, Nwankwo, Okoroji and Akpan bagged six months, three months, one month and three months jail terms respectively without an option of fine. All the sentences run concurrently. The convicts' journey to the Correctional Centre started when they were arrested by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet-related offences. They were later prosecuted and convicted. court-sends-five-internet-fraudsters-to-jail-in-uyo ************************************* 17 JUN 2022 Man Bags Two Years Imprisonment for Internet Fraud in Nasarawa The Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on June 15, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Seigiru Dauda Mohammed before Justice Nehizena Afolabi of the Federal High Court, Lafia, Nasarawa State on one count charge for his involvement in Internet fraud. The charge reads: "That you, Seigiru Dauda Mohammed sometime in 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud created a username-Pep marine in Telegram group, with which you charted with one John Terugwa Nanev to buy bitcoin worth $789 (Seven Hundred and Eighty Nine USD), that you materially misrepresented the fact and caused him a loss and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14 (2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015". The defendant pleaded "guilty" to the charge. Upon his plea, the prosecution counsel, G. G. Chia-Yakua prayed the Court to convict and sentence him as charged. Justice Afolabi convicted and sentenced Mohammed to two years imprisonment. The convict was ordered to closed an OPay account, being a tool used in committing fraud and forfeit N200,000 in the said account to Federal Government of Nigeria. man-bags-two-years-imprisonment-for-internet-fraud-in-nasarawa ******************************************** 17 JUN 2022 Courts Convict Three Cybercriminals in Ibadan The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June 16, 2022, secured the conviction of the trio of Warees Tunde Oladunni, Makinde Ajibola and Alex Chibueze Akhiria for cyber-fraud. The convicts were arraigned on separate one count charges each which bordered on impersonation, an offence which violates Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000 . The charge against Warees reads: "That you, Warees Tunde Oladunni 'M' sometime in the year 2019, at Ibadan, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did falsely represent yourself via your Facebook account to be a female citizen of the United States of America who goes by name, Isabella Maurice, which representation you knew to be false." The charge against Makinde reads: "That you, Makinde Ajibola 'M' on or about the 21st of February, 2022, in Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, created a profile on a dating website whereby you represented yourself with the name Debby-12, an America from Texas, and by this means you obtained benefits and gained advantage (including the Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) a pretext which you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence." The charge against Okhiria reads: "That you, Alex Chibueze Akhiria 'M' on or about the 29th of October, 2021, in Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, created a false Lottery Scheme whereby you represented yourself as Grant Lottery, by this means you obtained benefits and gained advantage including benefitting from your victims the sum of Three Thousand Eight Hundred United States Dollars ($3,800USD), one iPhone 11 handset, one HP laptop, one 50 inches Samsung Television and one black iPhone 7 mobile phone, a pretext which you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence." They pleaded "guilty" to the charges filed against them. Upon their pleas, facts of the cases were reviewed and indicting documents printed from their devices tendered before the court as evidence by the prosecution counsel. Consequently, the courts convicted and sentenced Oladunni and Ajibola to four months community service each, and Akhiria to six months community service. Also, the courts ordered that the convicts restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria. courts-convict-three-cybercriminals-in-ibadan ************************************* 17 JUN 2022 Thirty Five Internet Fraud Suspects Arrested in Ibadan Thirty five suspected internet fraudsters have been arrested by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Seventeen of the suspects were arrested on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at the Akobo area of Ibadan following credible intelligence on their alleged fraudulent activities, while the remaining eighteen suspects were apprehended by officers of 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan and handed over to the Commission for further investigation. The suspects arrested by EFCC operatives are Taiwo Babalola Oluwatope, Adekunle Odewale Damilola, Lawal Ismail Adebola, Salau Ayobami Adeyemi, Adebowale Samuel Amusan, Abioye Oluwatobi Alex, Akinola Adekunle, Salau Opeyemi Saheed, Ugwu Osita, Adedun Olajide Temidire, Adegbenro Adeola Damilare, Emmanuel Oluwatobi Ajala, Ojekale Samuel Ayodimeji, Adebayo Babatunde Teslim, Micheal Ayomide, Opeyemi Sonuola and Adetona Oladimeji Abdulazeez. Items recovered from them include seven exotic cars, mobile phones, laptops, one smart television set and incriminating documents. The 18 suspects handed over to the Commission by Lieutenant Goni Tijjani Ibrahim on behalf of the Army, were arrested at Ihejirika Garden, near the Army Cantonment, Ibadan following series of complaints from the residents regarding the fraudulent activities of the suspects. They include Adeotun Omodele, Lamidi Abeeb, Lawal Muhammed, Kolapo Samad, Akinpelu Gbotemi, Ahmed Rilwan, Sodiq Adebayo, Mohammed Salami, Muyiwa Adeyeye, Awojoola Muiz, Ogunyemi Ayobami, Gabriel Ikyelede, Olamide Adekunle, Isaac Elijah, Azeez Yusuf, Damilola Muritala, Opeyemi Nurudeen and Olamide Lamidi. Items handed over alongside the suspects include mobile phones, one smart wrist watch, amongst others. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded. thirty-five-internet-fraud-suspects-arrested-in-ibadan 419 Coalition comment: 419 Coalition appreciates the help of the 2nd Division of the Nigeran Army in this matter, especially as our Coordinator is also a 2nd Division (Infantry - Vulcan Crewman) veteran, albeit of the US Army :) Second Divisions are... "Second to None" :) ******************************************* 16 JUN 2022 EFCC Warns Hoteliers against Accommodating Fraudsters The Ilorin Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, ACE II Michael Nzekwe, has warned hotel owners to avoid being accomplice to Yahoo Boys who check into their facilities for internet fraud and money laundering activities or risk being prosecuted and jailed. Nzekwe gave the admonition on Thursday, June 16, 2022, while addressing a stakeholders meeting of Designated Non-Financial Institutions, DNFIs, at the Commission’s Office along Catchment Road, GRA, Ilorin. According to him, "the Commission has observed a worrying pattern of cold complicity by hospitality entrepreneurs who appear to be hands-in-gloves with suspected fraudsters by housing them over long spells and making internet facilities available to them". Warning hoteliers against allowing cybercriminals into their facilities, the Zonal Commander said that hoteliers would be contravening Section 3 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act if they continue to allow Yahoo Boys to check into their hotels. "Section 3 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 provides for a prison term of between five and 15 years without option of fine for any person who permits his premises to be used for any offence under the Act." According to him, the meeting was called to sensitize stakeholders on the rising activities of fraudsters and the need to support the Commission in the fight against corruption. He said that ignorance was not an excuse under the law. "While the argument is being made in certain quarters that hoteliers as business people have no means of determining who a fraudster is before allowing them to lodge in their facilities, that position runs counter to the law", he said. He urged the hoteliers to always ask their customers for means of identification and to fill their occupation as part of the check-in procedure. The Zonal Commander also implored them to support the Commission with credible and actionable information, adding that such information when received would be treated with absolute confidentiality. The President of Hotel Owners Association, Kwara State, Mr. Dauda Akande and Chief Isaac Omogbenle Adeyemi, the immediate past chairman of the Association mentioned some of the challenges faced by hotel owners in dealing with customers. These included concealment of identity by guests, difficulty in determining a fraudster before allowing them to lodge in their facilities and safety of whistle blowers among others. They commended the EFCC for its professionalism and doggedness in the anti-graft war, while pledging their support for the Commission in its bid to stem the scourge of corruption in Nigeria. Earlier on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 the Zonal Commander had urged compliance officers of banks to be diligent in the discharge of their duties and to ensure that they play active role in tackling money laundering and other fraudulent practices in the banking sector. He frowned at the actions of some bank officials, who aid and abet money laundering activities and other economic and financial crimes, describing such acts as "a sign of systemic abuse and failure on the part of such banks". According to him, "there is no major fraud especially money laundering that is ever committed without the connivance of the bank officials, and such must be discouraged". On the issue of "Know Your Customer" (KYC) and "Know Your Customer's Business" (KYCB), Nzekwe tasked the bankers to take the requirement seriously as it would help to keep fraudulent customers on the radar. Participants at the meeting assured the EFCC of their support by offering necessary information that could assist it in fighting corruption. The press release contains a photo: efcc-warns-hoteliers-against-accommodating-fraudsters 419 Coalition comment: The EFCC should check the actual ownership of any property or hotel at which mass arrests of 419ers are made, though such records may be labyrithine, as it is possible that 419er Chairman and Ogas may actually Own such 419er infested facilities. The same thing applies to the banks... if a lot of ilegal monies are being laundered through a given bank, check to see who controls or owns the bank, and vet them. Just common sense, our view, and hopefully the EFCC is doing these things. ************************************** 16 JUN 2022 Three Suspected Internet Fraudsters Arrested in Abuja Operatives of the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on , June 16, 2022, arrested three suspected internet fraudsters. Uzefere Stephen, Dozie Kenneth and Chinagorom Macdonald Nnadozie were arrested at Bricks City Estate, Kubwa Abuja, following intelligence on their alleged criminal activities. Items recovered from them include Laptops and mobile phones. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release contains photos of the three suspects: three-suspected-internet-fraudsters-arrested-in-abuja ***************************************** 16 JUN 2022 Court Jails Internet Fraudster One Year in Lagos The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of one internet fraudster, Opeyemi Fatoyinbo, to one year imprisonment before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. He was arrested on July 29, 2021 during a sting operation at Rollace Hotel, Ajao Estate, Lagos, following intelligence on the activities of some persons allegedly involved in fraudulent online activities. The amended one count preferred against him reads: "That you, Opeyemi Fatoyinbo, on or about 29th July, 2021, in Lagos, within the Ikeja jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, with intent to defraud, retained in your possession the aggregate sum of $650.00 ( Six Hundred and Fifty US Dollars)and one Samsung phone, being proceeds from a criminal conduct, deceitfully obtained from unsuspecting members of the public." He pleaded "guilty" to the charge. In view of his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima, reviewed the facts of the matter, and tendered the defendant's statement to the EFCC as well as the fraudulent documents recovered from his email accounts which were admitted in evidence against the defendant. He, therefore, prayed the court to convict him accordingly. Consequently, Justice Dada found him guilty of the offence and sentenced him to one year imprisonment, with an option of fine of N500, 000. He was ordered to make a restitution of the sum of N300, 000 to the EFCC Recovery account. The Samsung mobile phone recovered from him was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government. The convict was also ordered to sign an undertaking not to be involved in any criminal activity within or outside the country. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-jails-internet-fraudster-one-year-in-lagos ************************************* 16 JUN 2022 Yahoo Boy Jailed for Fraud, to Sweep Church in Abuja Justice K.N. Ogbonnaya of the FCT High Court Kubwa on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 convicted and sentenced one Chibuike Marshal Omemgboji (alias Surajo Ascencio) to six months of community service. He was convicted having pleaded guilty to one count charge of fraudulent impersonation. The charge reads, "that you, Chibuike Marshal Omemgboji (alias Surajo Ascencio) sometime in 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court fraudulently cheat when you created social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram, misrepresenting yourself to be Surajo Ascencio upon which one Sarah Vakunta (aka Danne Gibbs) delivered the sum of $4,328 (Four Thousand Three Hundred and Twenty Eight United States Dollars) only under the pretence that you are in love with her, thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 320(a) of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under Section 322 of the same Law". Based on his plea and facts presented by the prosecution, Justice Ogbonnaya convicted and sentenced the defendant to six months community service which shall commence with him sweeping his place of worship located in Jahi Abuja from June 16, 2022. In addition, he is to forfeit his Honda Accord car and iPhone X mobile phone which he acquired with the proceeds of the crime to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: yahoo-boy-jailed-for-fraud-to-sweep-church-in-abuja *************************************** 16 JUN 2022 One Convicted for Cybercrime in Oyo An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Olanipekun Adams Abolade to six months imprisonment for cyber-fraud. The convict who was arraigned on one count charge which bordered on impersonation, contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 38, Oyo State, pleaded guilty to the charge upon his arraignment by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Chidi Okoli, reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict and sentence Olanipekun as charged. Justice S.O. Adeyemi after listening to the prayer of the prosecution and careful consideration of the facts and evidence before the court, convicted and sentenced Olanipekun to six months in prison. The court further ordered that the convict pay the sum of $350USD (Three Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) in restitution and forfeit one iPhone 11 Pro Max mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: one-convicted-for-cybercrime-in-oyo ******************************************** 15 JUN 2022 30 Internet Fraud Suspects Arrested in Abuja Operatives of the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested thirty suspected internet fraudsters. The suspects were arrested on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Lugbe and Kubwa suburbs of Abuja, following credible intelligence on their alleged internet fraud activities. The suspects include: Obazee Destiny, Oloton Kenneth, Emmanuel Patrick, Cobirevwhe Lucky, Wisdom Chinedu Okeke, Emmanuel Obiajulu Okafor, Chime Gabriel, Uchime Gabriel, Usenbor Aghosa Austin, Precious Osayi, Salman Abdullahi, Iseri Ochuko and Okator Emeka. Others are Usehbor Eghosa Auhin, Chime Gabriel Onyebuchi, Amas Randy Ehingiator, Osabee Jerry Olabor, Wisdom Usenbor, Etaga Uyuoma, Perokri Destiny, Chime Stephen, Eneome Daniel, Eneh Chukwuemeka, Kennet Okoduwa, Eze Nwaennezie Samuel, Igbinomwanhia Esosa, Igbinomwanhia Miracle, Olajiar Victor, Ekeainya Confidence, Akpa Anthony Somtochukwu and Abubakar Mohammed. Items recovered from t hem include Mercedes Benz, Lexus and Toyota cars, mobile phones and laptop computers. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release contains small photos: 30-internet-fraud-suspects-arrested-in-abuja ********************************* 15 JUN 2022 Court Jails Fraudster One Year in Abuja The Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, secured the conviction of one Ahmed Abubakar before Justice M.A. Madugu of the FCT High Court, Bwari, Abuja on one count charge bordering on cheating by personation. The charge reads, "that you, Ahmed Abubakar sometime in 2022 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Honorable Court cheated one Mary Kae, an American citizen of the sum of $1000 (One Thousand United States Dollars) only, by pretending to be Andrew Clinton, a moderator, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004". The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecuting counsel to ask the court to convict him accordingly. Consequently, Justice Madugu convicted and sentenced him to one year imprisonment without option of fine. He is also to forfeit the sum of N250, 000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and an iPhone 13 mobile phone to he Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-jails-fraudster-one-year-in-abuja ********************************** 13 JUN 2022 EFCC Arrests 25 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Benue Operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 25 suspected internet fraudsters (aka Yahoo Boys). The suspects were arrested in the early hours of Monday, June 13, 2022, in a sting operation at various locations in Otukpo, Benue State. The Twenty-Five (25) suspects who were smoked out of their hideouts following actionable intelligence on their alleged internet fraud-related activities include E. Francis, A. Emmanuel, M. Wakili, C. Francis, I. Emmanuel, J. Williams, P. Idoko, M. Itodo, S. Abah, O. Ameh, O. Samson, O. Amuta, and O. Precious. Others are: O. Solomon, N. Alex , O. Emmanuel, E. Godwin, O. Ochigbo, E. Chukwu, W. Godwin, Y. Elijah, V. Godwin, L. Owoicho, A. Augustine and O. Moses. Items recovered from them include different brands of mobile phones and computers. The suspects have made useful statements and will be arraigned in Court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release contains two group photos: efcc-arrests-25-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-benue ******************************************** 10 JUN 2020 Undergraduate Convicted for Internet Fraud in Ibadan The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June 9, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Bello Ademola Toheeb to six months community service before Justice Sherifat Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, on one count charge for internet fraud. The one count reads: "That you, Bello Ademola Toheeb "M" on or about 11th of February, 2022, at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did falsely represent yourself to be Joy New, which representation you knew to be false impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." The convict pleaded guilty to the charge filed against him by the EFCC. Upon his plea, prosecution counsel, Mabas Mabur, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant as charged, having reviewed the facts of the case and tendered indicting documents as evidence. Consequently, Justice Adeyemi convicted and sentenced Bello to six months community service and ordered the convict to forfeit the sum of N246, 695. 00 domiciled in his three different bank accounts and one iPhone X mobile phone to the Federal government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: undergraduate-convicted-for-internet-fraud-in-ibadan ******************************************* 10 JUN 2022 Court Sends Two Fraudsters To Jail in Gombe Justice D.S. Sikkam of the Gombe State High Court sitting in Gombe has convicted and sentenced two fraudsters: Mark Madiya and Joel Jonah to two years, five months imprisonment for criminal misappropriation. They were convicted on Thursday, June 9, 2022 after pleading guilty to three-count charges bordering on criminal misappropriation, upon being arraigned by the Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. One of the count charges read: "that you, Mark Madiya and Joel Jonah sometime between 2019 and 2020 at Gombe, Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire among yourselves to commit an offence to wit: criminal misappropriation and thereby commit an offence contrary to the provision of Section 96 and punishable under Section 97(2) of the Penal Code." The defendants pleaded guilty to the three count charges when they were read to them. Based on their pleas, Justice Sikkam convicted and sentenced them accordingly. Madiya and Jonah were sentenced to three months imprisonment with an option of fine of N20,000.00 ( Twenty Thousand Naira) on count one, two years imprisonment with an option of N30,000.00 ( Thirty Thousand Naira) on count two and two months imprisonment with an option of fine of N20,000.00 ( Twenty Thousand Naira) on count three. The jail terms are to run concurrently. The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when a petitioner alleged that they defaulted in payments due to him from his motor cycle business which he offered them to handle. They were arrested, investigated and prosecuted. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: court-sends-two-fraudsters-to-jail-in-gombe ************************************** 10 JUN 2022 EFCC Cautions Teenagers Against Cyber Crimes The Uyo Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE Bawa Hamidu has cautioned teenagers across the country to steer clear of involvement in any form of cybercrimes, stressing that such crimes may earn them conviction records that cannot be expunged. He gave the charge on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at Bridge End High Schools, Calabar, Cross River State, during a sensitization session. Bawa, who spoke on the theme: "Crime does not pay and 'yahoo-yahoo' is not a course of study", condemned a steady rise in the statistics of teenagers and youths being arrested and convicted for various internet- related crimes. According to him "once you are charged to court and convicted, you become an ex-convict and nothing can expunge that record. Then, tomorrow when you're about to advance in life, or get employed or offered an appointment, someone will dig up that record and you're ruined, no matter your professional qualification". Head, Public Affairs Department of the Zone, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Theresa Nwosu reminded the students that whatever is put on the internet stays in the public domain forever. "Always remember that the internet does not forget, and as long as the internet does not forget, the EFCC will not forgive any crime, and that's why we're here to tell you that crime does not pay, so you must desist from it" she said. During the interactive session, students asked very relevant internet -related questions ranging from how to identify cyber crimes, report cybercrimes, measures that teenagers could adopt in order not to fall prey to criminal baits, among others. A high point of the programme was the inauguration of the EFCC Integrity Club. Proprietress of the school, Mrs. Magi Ndomegba thanked the EFCC for the sensitization, especially the Integrity Club initiative, which she said was worthy of emulation by other agencies. The press release contains a photos: efcc-cautions-teenagers-against-cyber-crimes ***************************************** 10 JUN 2022 Kwara Electrician Loses House to FG as EFCC Secures Conviction of Six for Cybercrime Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin has ordered the forfeiture of a landed property situated at Tanke area of Ilorin, Kwara State, belonging to a 19-year-old Electrician, Jimoh Opeyemi prosecuted for internet fraud by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC The judge gave the forfeiture order on Thursday, June 9, 2022 while sentencing Opeyemi alongside five other persons prosecuted on separate charges for similar offences by the EFCC. The others are Apata Lawrence Abimbola Olatosin, a Tiler; Ologunsoro Ayodeji Benjamin, from Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State; Obadun Busayo Danjumo from Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State; Olajide Moshood from Modakeke area of Osun State and Johnson Samuel Oluwaseun from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State. The defendants had pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Aliyu Adebayo and Andrew Akoja who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission reviewed the facts of the cases. The extra-judicial statements of the defendants and other incriminating items recovered from them at the point of arrest including a car, different brands of phones and laptops were tendered and admitted in evidence. The prosecutors urged the court to consider the guilty plea entered by the defendants and all the exhibits tendered to hold that the EFCC had established its case beyond doubt. Justice Sani, after evaluating the facts of the cases and the evidence placed before the court said he found merit in the case of the prosecution against the defendants. The judge sentenced Opeyemi to one year imprisonment with option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine. In addition to the forfeiture order placed on a landed property, which he acquired with proceeds of illegal activities, at Tanke area, Ilorin, the judge also ordered that the phones and a laptop used by the convict to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. Similarly, Apata was sentenced to one year imprisonment with option of N150,000 (One Hundred And Fifty Thousand Naira Only) fine, while the iPhone 8 used by the convict to commit the fraud was forfeited to the Federal Government. The judge also sentenced Ologunsoro to one year imprisonment each on counts one and two with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine on each count. The convict would also forfeit the phones used as instrumentality of the crime and the sum of $300 (Three Hundred United States Dollars) to the Federal Government. In the same vein, Justice Sani pronounced a prison term of one year on Obadun with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine and an order forfeiting an iPhone X used to perpetrate the crime to the Federal Government. Olajide bagged one year imprisonment each on count one and two with option of N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine on each count. The court ordered that one Infinix X 4 phone used commit the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. Equally, the judge sentenced Johnson to one year imprisonment with option of N150,000 (One Hundred And Fifty Thousand Naira Only) fine, while ordering the forfeiture of his phones used to perpetrate the crime and one Toyota Camry Car acquired with proceeds of the crime to the Federal Government. In addition, the convict would raise the sum of $875 (Eight Hundred and Seventy-Five United States Dollars) as restitution. The press release contains small photos of all six 419ers: kwara-electrician-loses-house-to-fg-as-efcc-secures-conviction-of-six-for-cybercrime ************************************************* 9 JUN 2022 Court Jails Five Fraudsters in Benin The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, secured the conviction of five fraudsters before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, on separate one count charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The convicts are: Omoragon Paul, Ogiamien Nosa Christopher, Oghenekume Moses, Osamede Egbon Nicholas and Bashiru Mohammed. The charge against Paul reads: "that you, Omoragbon Paul between 2020 and 2021 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud falsely represent yourself to be one Johnson Ben, an American on Instagram account created by you and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 484 of the Criminal Code, Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria". The charge against Mohammed reads: "that you, Bashiru Mohammed sometime in August 2020 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently converted to your use the aggregate sum of N1,850,000 property of Abdulsalam Usman Yusufu, which sum was credited into Access Bank account number :0007189939 provided by you as part-payment for the purchase of a 2012 model Lexus RX350 and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383(2)(f) of the Criminal Code, Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976 and punishable under section 390 of same Law". They all pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, K.U Udus to ask the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Ikponmwonba sentenced Paul, Nicholas and Moses to two years imprisonment each with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine , while Christopher bagged two years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine. Mohammed was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine. He is also to restitute the victim of the sum of N1, 850,000 (One million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand naira). Justice Ikponmwonba ordered the forfeiture of a Toyota Camry Car belonging to Paul and a Lexus RX 330 SUV belonging to Christopher to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of phones and laptop recovered from the defendants, to the federal government of Nigeria. The press release contains small photos of esch of the five 419ers: court-jails-five-fraudsters-in-benin **************************************** 9 JUN 2022 Court Sentences Internet Fraudster to Six Months Community Service in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of an internet fraudster, Pius Eromosele, before Justice O. A. Okunuga of the State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. The convict was arraigned on May 31, 2022 on a one-count charge bordering on possession of document containing false pretence, which he pleaded "guilty" to. The charge reads: “That you, Pius Eromosele, on or about the 31st day of March, 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court,knowingly had in your possession a document containing false pretence titled: "Schedule remittance and shipping request", which document you knew to be false and committed an offence of possession of document containing false pretence, contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015." In view of his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel S.I Suleiman, reviewed the facts of the case to further prove the guilt of the convict. Suleiman narrated to the court that Eromosele was arrested by operatives of the EFCC on March 26, 2022 ,following intelligence report received from the Interpol Global Complex Innovation, Singapore, about a syndicate of internet fraudsters in Nigeria, who use malware to steal information and credentials of individuals and use the same to defraud unsuspecting victims. He also told the court that a covert surveillance was carried out, followed by a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of the convict and some others. The prosecution tendered the voluntary statements of the convict as well as other incriminating evidence that were recovered from him and they were all admitted in evidence against him. Suleiman, upon presenting the fact of the case, urged the court to convict Eromosele as charged and sentence him accordingly. Justice Okunuga sentenced the convict to five (5) hours of community service for six (6) months at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. Justice Okunuga also ordered the forfeiture of the items recovered from him to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-sentences-internet-fraudster-to-six-months-community-service-in-lagos ******************************************* 9 JUN 2022 EFCC Arrests 140 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ikorodu Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 140 suspected yahoo boys. They were nabbed in separate sting operations at popular hotels, Lakers Lounge hotel and Bar and De Butlers, in Ikorodu, Lagos State following credible intelligence on their involvement in internet-related fraud. However, four of the suspects were released as no incriminating item was found on them. The suspects, with ages between 16 and 40 years are: ODUNTAN OLASESAN, 26; ABASS ISMAIL ALABI, 35; LAWAL KUDUS, 26; OLATUNJI OLAYIWOLA OJO, 40; OKOYE ONYEKA DUKE, 38; OGUNGBAMILA DANIEL, 29; CHIMEZIE BRIGHT, 32; LATEEF SALAU, 36; OREOLUWA OLUWASHINA, 32; OLAWUMI AYNWUYI MUHAMMED, 23; ADEPEGBADE AFEES ISHOLA, 32; SANUSI IDRIS, 29; HAMMED OGUNSANYE, 28; AYENI DAMILOLA, 36; ABIODUN AHMED, 26; ODUNTAN TUNDE FEMI, 23; OGUNSANYA IDRIS OPEYEMI, 22; BALOGUN ALI, 26; IPADE OLANREWAJU, 24; BALOGUN TOYOSI BENJAMIN, 20; OMOTAYO ADEWALE, 35 and EMMANUEL ABIT JAEM, 39. Others are: EKANEM MICHAEL, 40; OGUNTIMEHIN BABAJIDE, 25; ABIMBOLA ISMAIL, 24; ALATISE FUAD, 26; SODIQ IDRIS, 19; ONANUBI TREASURE, 19; TOBI JAGUNJOBI, 31; ASHAYE AYOMIDE, 26; MURITALA IBRAHIM, 18; ADEOSUN AHMED, 19; AJIJOLA PETER OLAWALE, 18; LAWAL OLAOLUWA YUSUF TIJANI, 25; YUSUF TIJANI 22; AKINOLA AYINDE, 29 and DISU OLAYIWOLA AKANI, 28. Also in the net are: AFOLAYAN OALTUNJI, 32; ADIO OLUWASEUN AKINPEL, 32; IFEOLUWA SHOLEYE, 34; KELVIN SUNDAY, 35; LAWAL ADEKUNLE, 37; QUDUS AKEUSOLA, 30; DODO JOSHUA, 19; ANIFOWOSE RIDWAN, 22; ANIMASHAUN SAMUEL, 28; AJAYI OLUWASEGUN, 32; BAKARE OLUWASEUN AKANDE, 22; SAHEED OLAMILERE, 35; ASENUGA ADESEYE, ADEBULU JOHN, 24; BALOGUN ISRAEL, 30; DAMOLA JOHNSON, 36; NDUBUSISI ONYEDIKACHI, 27; ADESANYA ADEKUNLE, 28; BAMIDELE DADA, 31; ISRAEL AVOUR, 24; OMOJOLA JAMES DARE, 28; OLAFARE ENITAN DARE, 40; TALAKO ADEWALE, 29; MUSTAPHA MUBARAQ ADEFEMIKUN, 23; NDFIU ABOLARE, 28; LATEEF YUSUF, 32; JOHN CHINEDU KELVIN, 34; SEGUN JOHN, 28; IYANDA IDOWU, 30; BANWO KEHINDE SAMUEL, 32; VICTOR EBHOMNEYE, 35; STEPHENE EDEU, 31; EMMANUEL SUNDAY, 21; DANEIL EBUKA ,26; ADENIJI FUNSHO, MUSTAPHA ISMAIL GARKUWA,19; IBRAHIM BASHIRU OLAYIWOLA, 27; AGABARAOJO BASHIRU, 27; QUADRI OLADIPO, 30; ABDULSALAM LEKAN, 29; OSHINBOWALE OLAYINKA, 22; LAJUNLE JADE, 17; BELLO RASHEED, 22; EFFANGA EMMAUEL, 22; VINCENT AKPOMEJE VICTOR, 21; HASSAN LATEEF OLUWAMAYOWA ,25; OPEYEMA RINCE ADEBOWALE ,35; IDOWU FARUQ GBOLAHAN, 32; MATHEW OLUSESAN, 33; OLAWUYI GIDOEN TOKUNBO, 32; RICHARD OLUWASEUN, 32; TIMOTAYO ALADE, 29; AZEEZ IBRAHIM, 22; AZEEZ DAMILOLA, 23; TOLUWAWI LAWL, 28; ADEMOLA KOLAWALE, 30; OGUNBODE ERIOLUWA ,23; OGUNBODE OLABODE, ORENUGA SODIQ, 19; TAJUDEEN ISAA ,18; AFE OLUWASEGUN, 29; ADEDEJI AFOLABI ABDURAHMAN, 40; MUSTAPHA IDRIS, 28; ALAMU ABDULWAHAB, 20; KAREEM ABDUL BASIT, 19; EGBO JAMES SUNDAY, 26; ALADE ELIJAH GREGORY, 20; LAWAL IBRAHEEM ADEBO, 34;JOHN NAKA, 32; OSIDEINDE ADEBAYO, 22; CHIBUKE FRANK OKORAFOR, 27; STEPHEN AKOLADE, 35; BABATUNDE HABEEB, 28; FISAYO WASIU, 32; JIMOH LUKMAN, 32; IDOWU JOHN OLUADAMILOLA, 33; OLAWOKE ISRAEL, 21; OLOPADE AYOBAMI, 24; EMEVOR PABLO, 24; AYODELE JOSEPH, 27; ISAAC EMMANUEL, 33; ADEWALE IDRIS, 18; ALABI MALIK, 24; NAFIU AFEEZ, 30; ABDULMALIK ABDUSSALAM, 36; OLAWALE MUSTAPHA, 29;SIMEON GODWIN, 23; OLANREWAJU AZEEZ OLAKUNLE, 22; OSENI SODIQ OLUWASEGUN, 30; IBRAHIM OLAWALE, 21; CHRISTOPHER DANIEL CHINAZA, 22; MEKWUNYE IFEANYI, 30; JOHN MESHACK, 33; AGBABIAKA OLUWASEUN, 27; OGUNBONA MALIK, 19; OLADOKUN PETER, 35; OLATUNJI SAMUEL and KEHINDE AMUDA ABDULRASHEED, 42. Items recovered from the suspects include exotic cars, electronic devices, laptop computers and mobile phones. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded. The press release contains two group photos: efcc-arrests-140-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-ikorodu *********************************************** 8 JUN 2022 Internet Fraudster Bags One Year in Port Harcourt Justice E. A. Obile of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced Obu Gabriel Ebibo to one year imprisonment for impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence. He was convicted on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 after pleading 'guilty' to two -count charges preferred against him, upon being arraigned by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. One of the charges read: "That you Obu Gabriel Ebibo (alias Kenneth Gibson) on or about the 1st November, 2021, in Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained an aggregate sum of Six Hundred and Eighty United States Dollars ($680.00 USD) on the pretence that, the money was meant for crypto currency investment, a pretext you knew to be false 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". He pleaded "guilty" to the charges when they were read to him. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, F .O. Amama prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Counsel to the defendant, B .J. Jeoffrey, however, urged the court to temper justice with mercy stressing that, "he is a first- time offender who does not have previous criminal records". Justice Obile convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000.00) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Judge also ordered that the iPhone X mobile phone recovered from the convict be forfeited to the government. Ebibo's journey to the Correctional Service started when he was arrested by operatives of the Port Harcourt's Zonal Command of the EFCC in connection with internet-related offences. Investigation showed that the convict had been involved in internet fraud by falsely presenting himself as one Kenneth Gibson to his victims, thereby defrauding them of the sum of Six Hundred and Eighty United States Dollars ($680.00 USD). The press release contains a photo of the 419er: internet-fraudster-bags-one-year-in-port-harcourt ******************************************* 8 JUN 2022 Five Jailed In Ibadan for Impersonation The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, June 6, 2022, secured the conviction of five internet fraudsters: Muhaymin Adeshola Ajayi (a.k.a Lena Paul), Emmanuel Oluwafemi Shoyinka (a.k.a Mabel Mates), Sherriffdeen Ololade Qozeen Abdulrahman Olakanmi Babatunde and Abiodun Tolulope Emmanuel, for fraudulent impersonation before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan and Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan . They all pleaded guilty to their respective one-count charges. In view of their pleas, Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced Abiodun to nine months imprisonment and Abdulrahman, six months imprisonment. Sherriffdeen and Shoyinka bagged six months and three months community service, respectively. The court also ordered the defendants to restitute their victims. Shoyinka is to restitute his victim the sum of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand) and ordered to forfeit Samsung S9 Plus mobile phone, one Bontel mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Sherriffdeen was ordered to restitute to his victims the total sum of $1,400USD (One Thousand and Four Hundred United States Dollars) through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. He is to forfeit one iPhone 12 Pro Max mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria, being proceeds of his crime. Ajayi was ordered to restitute the sum of $2,500USD (Two Thousand United States Dollars) only to his victim- one Matthew Kopilash, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. In addition, he was ordered to forfeit one iPhone 12 Pro Max and one Toyota Camry Saloon car to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Abdulrahman is to restitute his victim the sum of $1,500USD (One Thousand United States Dollars) and Bitcoin worth 0.01551288 through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The convict also is to forfeit one MacBook Pro, one iPhone 12 Pro Max, one Samsung 4iWatch, one Play Station 5, one 55 inches Samsung television, to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Abiodun was ordered to restitute the sum of $500USD (Five Hundred United States Dollars) and balance the sum N497, 071:12 (Four Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand, Seventy One Naira and Twelve kobo) to his victim and forfeits his iPhone 11 mobile phone, one Samsung Galaxy Note 10mobile phone, one iWatch Series 5 and one red Toyota Avalon car to Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains small photos of each of the fice 419ers: Five Jailed In Ibadan for Impersonation ******************************************* 8 JUN 2022 Abuja Courts Jail Four Internet Fraudsters The Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, secured the conviction of Joshua Adebonojo, Stefan Osarodion Uwuigbe and Smart Chukwunenye before Justice M.A Madugu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Bwari, Abuja on separate one count charges bordering on internet-related fraud. Upon arraignment, they pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them. In the light of their guilty plea, Justice Madugu convicted and sentenced them to one year in prison with an option of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine each. They are also to forfeit the devices acquired with the proceeds of crime. In a similar development, Justice C.E. Nwecheonwu of the FCT High Court, Kuje also convicted and sentenced one David Obi Jekwu to one year in prison with an option of N50, 000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) fine on charges of cheating and fraudulent impersonation. Using his WeChat App profile page and pretending to be one Captain Kim Lee, a Sino-American military personnel serving in Damascus, he fraudulently obtained Y1000 (One Thousand Yuan) from one Tian Jingying. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted accordingly. The press release contains a photo of each of the four 419ers: abuja-courts-jail-four-internet-fraudsters ****************************************** 7 JUN 2022 EFCC Arraigns Three Suspected Fraudsters in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has arraigned three suspected fraudsters: Helen Oyelowo, Manshop Christopher and Paul A. Okache for obtaining the sum of N3.8m (Three Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) under false pretence. They were arraigned before Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi-Ajayi on June 7, 2022 on fourteen count charges bordering on obtaining under false pretences. Specifically, the trio are accused of obtaining money by false pretense from Nwoye Chinonso Emmanuel, Gbolade Adediran, Joseph Lafidi Kingo, Nwosu Agatha Chinyere, Dagett Zaram and Kemi Oluwatoyin totaling totalling N3.8m (Three Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira), representing 50% Processing Fee of a Federal Government of Nigeria COVID-19 grant for civil servants. They are also alleged to have collected a total sum of N547, 615 (Five Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, Six hundred and Fifteen Naira) as 10% Legal Fee of a Federal Government of Nigeria COVID-19 grant for civil servants. Count fourteen of the charge alleged that the 3rd defendant "retained the control of the aggregate sum of N547, 615 (Five Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, Six hundred and Fifteen Naira) purportedly as 10% Legal Fees of a Federal Government of Nigeria COVID-19 grant for civil servants, proceeds of criminal conduct of Manshop Christopher when you know that proceeds are as a result of crime and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 17(a) and punishable under Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004". They all pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them. Based on their pleas, defence counsels: Dominic Anyador and Agu Aondongu for the 1st defendant and Okache Frederick Obagwu and Efe G. Daniel for the 2nd and 3rd defendants applied for bail which was not objected to by the EFCC Counsel : H.M. Mohammed. Justice Adeyemi-Ajayi granted the defendants bail in the sum of N10, 000,000 (Ten Million Naira) each, with two sureties in like sum who must be civil servants on not less than grade level 13. He remanded the defendants in a Correctional Centre till bail is perfected. The matter was adjourned till September 20, 2022 for commencement of trial. The press release contains photos: efcc-arraigns-three-suspected-fraudsters-in-abuja **************************************** 7 JUN 2022 Court Sends Six Internet Fraudsters to Jail in Benin City Six internet fraudsters, Osahon Bright, Osahon Ebhohon Evans, Jeffery Osamwonyi, Louis Erharuyi, Obi Emeka and Omonzokpia Odion were on Tuesday June 7, 2022 convicted and sentenced to prison by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court and Justice (Professor) C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City. They were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission separately on one count charge of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The charge against Osahon Bright reads: "that you, Osahon Bright sometime between 2017 to 10th October, 2021 at Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently personate the identity of one Lee Chang, a white man with intent to defraud unsuspecting ladies and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria ( as applicable in Edo State) 1976". The charge against Obi Emeka reads: "that you, Emeka Obi sometime in 2021 at Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Savanna Delivery Company, a Chinese Delivery Company by sending documents to unsuspecting Chinese ladies through Facebook and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State ) 1976". Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel , I.M. Elodi, Ibrahim Mohammed, KY Bello and F. A. Jirbo to ask the courts to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Bright and Erharuyi to three years imprisonment each with an option of N300,000 and N200,000 fine respectively The duo of Emeka and Elvans bagged two years imprisonment each with an option N300,000 and N100,000 fine respectively. Osamwonye bagged two years imprisonment with an option of N150,000 fine. Justice Ikpomwonba also ordered that the Mercedes Benz 350 recovered from Osahon be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Phones recovered from the defendants in the course of investigation which are proceeds of crime are to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Justice Obiozor convicted and sentenced Odion to five years imprisonment or a fine of N300,000. Odion is also to forfeit his phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of each of the six 419ers: court-sends-six-internet-fraudsters-to-jail-in-benin-city *************************************** 7 JUN 2022 Court Jails Man 5 Years for Love Scam in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Wednesday, June 7, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Akinola Jeremiah before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court for cyber-fraud Akinola was arrested by the EFCC following credible intelligence on his alleged involvement in internet- related. Upon arrest, analysis of the devices found on him indicated that he was impersonating the identities of Christopher Walker and Thomas Broussard on his social media handles (Hangout, Facebook, and WhatsApp) with a view to defrauding his victims with whom he pretended to be involved in romantic relationships. The one count amended charge reads: "That you, Akinola Jeremiah, male, sometimes between the months of January and March, 2022, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, pretended to be one Christopher Walker, a United States of America naval officer on Instagram and Facebook, obtained gift cards worth the sum of $1,800 United States of America Dollars from Lesa, Nichol, and Kesha for a romantic relationship and you thereby committed cheating by impersonation, an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law, 2017 of Kaduna State and punishable under Section 3 09 of the same Law." The defendant pleaded guilty to the one count amended charge. Upon his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, Y.J Matiyak urged the court to convict him accordingly. But counsel to the defendant, Richard O. Adedoyin asked the court to temper justice with mercy. Justice Khobo, thereafter convicted and sentenced the defendant to five years Imprisonment with the option of N150, 000.00 fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the property of the convict which were purchased with the proceeds of crime, including an iPhone 12 Pro Max, and Bluetooth speaker and the sum of N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-jails-man-5-years-for-love-scam-in-kaduna ************************************** 6 JUN 2022 Court Sends Four Internet Fraudsters to Prison in Benin Four internet fraudsters, Osamudiamen Efosa, John Ogbodo, Clinton Amanemiye and James Collins Oghenetega were on Monday, June 6, 2022, convicted and sentenced to prison by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City. The quartet were separately arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on one count charge of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. They were said to have impersonated foreign nationals with intent to defraud, an offence against the state. The charge against Efosa reads: "that you, Osamudiamen Efosa (m) sometime between November, 2018 and 12th September, 2021 at Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Mark Roland and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria ( as applicable in Edo State) 1976." The charge against Ogbodo reads: "that you, John Ogbodo between January and March, 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud falsely represent yourself to be one Erickson, a Chinese on Instagram account created by you and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria ( as applicable in Edo State ) 1976." Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel I.K.Agwai and K.Y. Bello prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants had become remorseful for their actions. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the trio of Efosa, Amanimeye and Oghenetagha to two years imprisonment each or a fine of N200,000, N300,000 and N250,000 each while John Ogbodo bagged one year imprisonment with an option of N150,000 fine. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria while Efosa is to forfeit the balance in his various bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of each of the four 419ers: court-sends-four-internet-fraudsters-to-prison-in-benin-2 ************************************** 6 JUN 2022 Court Sends Two Internet Fraudsters to Prison in Benin Two internet fraudsters, Ese Ekunme and Uyi Eric were on Thursday June 2, 2022 convicted and sentenced to prison by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City. The duo were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on A separate one count charges of fraudulent impersonation and possession of proceeds of cybercrime. Eric had in January 2022 impersonated one Tyler Lapay, an American woman on Instagram in his attempt to defraud unsuspecting victims while Ekunwe took possession of the sum of N3million which was proceeds of crime. The charge against Eric reads: "that you, Uyi Eric (aka Tyler ) on the 21st day of January, 2022 at Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently personate the identity of Tyler Lapay, an American woman on Instagram, a social media platform with profile picture of the lady whose pictures you sent to Elizabeth Thomas with the intent to obtain money from the unsuspecting lady and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria ( as applicable in Edo State) 1976" The charge against Ekunwe reads: "that you, Ese Ekunwe sometime in 2021 at Wisdom Street, Off Egba Road, Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did take possession of the sum of Three Million Naira ( N3,000,000) knowing that same represent proceeds of Etinosa Eghaghe's ( your nephew) criminal conduct to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17(b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment ) Act, 2004". Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, K.U.Udus and K.Y. Bello to ask the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However counsel to the defendants, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants had become remorseful for their action Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Eric to three years imprisonment or a fine of Three Hundred Thousand Naira while Ekunwe bagged three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira as fine Justice Ikponmwonba also ordered that a Lexus ES 330 recovered from Eric be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Eric is also to forfeit an iPhone X to the Federal Government and undertake in writing to be of good behaviour. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: court-sends-two-internet-fraudsters-to-prison-in-benin-2 *************************************** 6 JUN 2022 Cybercrime: Pastor on FBI-Wanted List Docked in Enugu The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Enugu Command on Friday June 3, 2022 arraigned one Pastor Kelechi Vitalis Anozie and three others who are currently at large, Mr. Azubuike Ifeanyi Bright, Mrs. Amarachi Blessing Iro and Mr. Kelechi Patrick Iro, before Justice I.M Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on a seven count charge bordering on money laundering. Anozie who is on the America Federal Bureau of Investigation's Wanted List, was arrested by the Enugu Command of the EFCC at Owerri on March 10, 2022 following actionable intelligence received by the Commission. The defendant is alleged to have defrauded one F.F who lives in Illinois the sum of $135,800, and $47,000 from another American based in North Carolina. One of the counts reads, "that you PASTOR KELECHI VITALIS ANOZIE, MR AZUBUIKE IFEANYI BRIGHT( NOW AT LARGE), MRS AMARACHI BLESSING IRI (NOW AT LARGE) AND MR KELECHI PATRICK IRO (NOW AT LARGE) sometime between 2017 and 2019, at Owerri within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria conspired among yourselves to commit a felony to wit: use and taking possession of fund that forms part of proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (a) of the Money Laundering, (Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Punishable under section 18(3) of the same Act." Anozie pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him. This prompted the prosecution counsel, Michael Ani, to ask the Court for a date for the commencement of trial. The defendant’s counsel, E. Adams prayed the court to grant his client bail. The defendant was granted bail in the sum of N10, 000,000 (Ten Million Naira) and one surety in like sum. The surety must be resident within the jurisdiction and own a property. He must also swear to an affidavit of means. The defendant is to deposit his international passport and passport photographs with the court. The case was adjourned until Friday June 10,2022 for trial The press release includes a photo: cybercrime-pastor-on-fbi-wanted-list-docked-in-enugu ************************************************* 6 JUN 2022 EFCC Arrests Corps Member, 18 Other 'Yahoo-Yahoo Boys' in Lokoja Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 19 suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation in Lokoja, the Kogi State Capital. The suspects were smoked out of their hideouts by the eagle-eyed operatives of the EFCC over the weekend following credible intelligence on their fraudulent activities. The suspects include a serving corps member in the State, Adamu Shuabu and eighteen others. They are, Achimugu Nelson Ojonoka, Victor Atsumbe, Akoh Grace Samuel, Usman Abubakar Sadiq, Jacob Emmanuel, Solomon John, Christian Oyakhilome, Adesanya Adeolu Tosin, Uloko George Ojonugwa and Timothy Eleojo Moses. Others are Negedu Joseph Onuchei, Usman Tenimu, Lukman Musa, Samuel Atadoga, Daniel Atekojo James, Abdulrazaq Iko-ojo Ahnod, Olarewaju John Olumide and Ademola Adegoke Daniel. Upon arrest, a Lexus car, huge sum of money suspected to be proceeds of illegal activities, different brands of phones, laptops and other incriminating materials were recovered from them. The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-corps-member-18-other-yahoo-yahoo-boys-in-lokoja *************************************************** 6 JUN 2022 EFCC Secures Conviction of Three Internet Fraudsters in Calabar The Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of three internet fraudsters: Emmanuel James Olayi, Okadigbo Gabriel Nzubechukwu and Emmanuel Nnoli before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross Rivers State. They were convicted on Thursday, June 2, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on impersonation, preferred against them by the EFCC. One of the charges reads: "That you, Emmanuel Nnoli "M" sometime in 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate Abdul Kareem on Badoo with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015 and punishable under the same Section". They pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them. Based on their pleas, EFCC counsel, Joshua Abolarin, prayed the court to convict the defendants and sentence them accordingly. However, defence counsels: Innocent Eze and Chinonso Nweke prayed the court for leniency. Justice Ojukwu convicted and sentenced Olayi to one year imprisonment with an option of a fine of N300, 000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira), Nzubechukwu to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N800, 000.00 (Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) and Nnoli six months imprisonment with an option of fine of N600, 000.00 (Six Hundred Thousand Naira). The court also ordered them to forfeit all instruments used in committing the crime which include phones of different brands, one HP Probook 450 G6 and one HP 250 G7 Note to the Federal Government through the EFCC. Nnoli was also ordered to restitute the sum of 80, 000 CFA to his victim and Nzubechukwu to restitute the sum of $400 (Four Hundred Dollars) to his victim. According to the court, the payments of the said restitutions shall be their conditions for release from the Correctional Center, if they wish to serve the time. The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre started when they were arrested on March 31, 2022 in Calabar, by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC, for internet-related activities. They were later prosecuted and convicted. efcc-secures-conviction-of-three-internet-fraudsters-in-calabar ***************************************** 3 JUN 2022 Cyber-Fraud: EFCC Secures Three Convictions in Ibadan, Oshogbo The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June 2, 2022, secured the conviction of the trio of Matthew Jeff Efuwape, Sunday Oshinalke and Ajayi Babatunde Mateen before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State and Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of Federal High Court sitting in Oshogbo, Osun State on one count charge each of impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. The charge against Efuwape reads: "That you, Matthew Jeff Efuwape 'M', sometime in 2018, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated one Joane Thomson on Google Hangout App via your Google Gmail account with an address: joanethomson50@gmail.com, with intent to gain monetary advantage for yourself and thereby the committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act." The charge against Oshinalke reads: "That you, Sunday Oshinalke 'M' (a.k.a Mary Irene), sometime between 2018 and 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, impersonated one Mary Irene, a citizen of United States of America, by which you obtained benefits and gained advantage, a pretext which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015." The charge against Ajayi reads: "That you, Ajayi Babatunde Mateen 'M', on 10th day of October, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired with one Ayomide Balogun and Adebunmi Adedeji Moses to impersonate a white woman with intent to gain monetary advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the same Act." Upon their arraignments, they pleaded 'guilty' to the respective charges filed against them by the EFCC. Consequently, Justice Uche Agomoh convicted and sentenced Efuwape to one year, two months imprisonment and Oshinalke to ten months in jail. In the same vein, Justice Ayo-Emmanuel convicted and sentenced Ajayi to eight months imprisonment. The courts also ordered the convicts to restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release includes a photo of each of the three 419ers: cyber-fraud-efcc-secures-three-convictions-in-ibadan-oshogbo ***************************************** 3 JUN 2022 EFCC Arrests Thirty-Nine Suspected Cyber-Fraudsters in Ibadan Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, arrested thirty-nine (39) suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation in Ibadan, Oyo State. The suspects who claimed to be undergraduates of different tertiary institutions in Ibadan were arrested at Apete area of the Oyo State capital, following useful intelligence on their cyber-fraudulent activities. However, following analyses carried out on their devices, incriminating documents, and messages of their fraudulent bank transactions were recovered from thirty-four (34) of the suspects. They are Okeowo Abiodun Akeem, Yekini Ismail Omokayode, Odediran Abdulfatahi Dolapo, Isiaka Olumide Hammed, Obioma Honour Umaduabuchi, Olorunsola Eniola Johnson, Olabiyi Ifeoluwa Joseph, Razaq Adams Lekan, Oladimeji Abdulrahmon Olamide, Oyelaran Olayiwoola Jeremiah, Patrick Simon, Adefowora Omotayo David, Adediran Qudus Wale, Onipede Damilola Zacheaus, Ajayi Ifedolapo Oluwatofunmi, Oluwole Ayomide Oluwasegun, Usman Mubarak Oluwadamilare, Dapo-Ajayi Temitope Faith, Diyaolu Olamide Samuel, Ugbama Daniel Efemena, Ayoade Taofeek Adekunle. Others are: Egberongbe Adebayo Adedamola, Ajadi Ayinla Ibrahim, Ajeigbe Christian Toluwase, Alabi Daniel Oluwatosin, Olawooyin Taoheed Olakunle, Oguntuase Tope Francis, Salami Adam Akanfe, Olanrewaju Michael Damola, Kareem Afeez Alabi, Onuma Chidubem Williams, Rasaq Sodiq Olamilekan, Okusanwo Mayowa Daniel and Wahab Adebayo Abdullahi. Five exotic cars, mobile phones, laptops are among the items recovered from them. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release includes a group photo: efcc-arrests-thirty-nine-suspected-cyber-fraudsters-in-ibadan ***************************************** 3 JUN 2022 EFCC Arrests 92 Internet Fraud Suspects in Port Harcourt Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 92 suspected internet fraudsters (aka Yahoo Boys) in a sting operation in the early hours of Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at various locations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The Ninety Two (92) suspects were arrested for alleged internet fraud activities at locations including Choba and Ada George axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following an intelligence report. Analyses of the devices recovered from the suspects established that 64 of the suspects have incriminating items in their phones and emails. The Sixty Four (64) suspects are: Lawrence Philip, Edewor Victor, iumph Amgbu, Elvis Ogheze, Maduakolam Lius Fred, Edet Victor Akpan, Joshua Fidelis, Henry Wisdom, Isiah Ejarat, Destiny Waaogho Erigga, David Alli, Goodluck Edowru, James Otu, Asoulu Dare, Jerry Thankgod, Anawanti Finder, Edowuru Famous, Felix Osaro, Ukaegbu Franklin, Clinton Paul, Stansley .O. Tallick, Prosper Osadebameh, Prince Onyebuchi Ifeanyi, Gift Henry, Miracle Danien, Anyaeri Chidiebere, Udechukwu Ezenna, Udechukwu Victor, Favor Kelechi, Ernest Chidubem, Endurance Erebo, Chigozie Emeonye and Precious Enomah. Others are Ohiarekurh Daniel, Ordinachukwu Daniel Obinna, Light Gospel Nwosu, John Junior, Udosina Obi Mike, Samuel Promise, Aremo Folarin, Treasure Mike, Confidence Paul, Precious Paul, Ndubusi John Kingsley, Emmanuel Matthew Agoke, Aso Gideion Apata, Favor Otogbo, Favor Shadrack Moses, Vincent Athanasius, Imafidon Junior, Kelly Didi, Emmanuel Odunor, Samuel Dickson, Victor Akpan, Godwin Oluwafemi Ozeknome, Norbert Atuna, Sam Uba, Emmanuel Bobo Ojuru, Kelechi Ben, Matthis Ibidabo, Kelvin Mathew Agoke, Chidera Chibuzor Anieze, Moses Shedrack and Collins Christopher. The indicted suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release includes a mass group photo: efcc-arrests-92-internet-fraud-suspects-in-port-harcourt ********************************************* 3 JUN 2022 EFCC Gets Direct Access to 114m INTERPOL Criminal Records The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, in Lyon, France, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Interpol National Central Bureau for Nigeria. The agreement on Direct Access to and Use of Interpol Information Systems, grants the EFCC unrestricted access to nine key global databases containing 114 million records of 195 countries, hosted by the Interpol on its i24/7 secure global records and communication system. Access to the Interpol databases is a significant boost to the EFCC as it enhances the Commission’s operational capabilities by giving it an unparalleled global reach against suspected criminals and wanted persons attempting to flee from the long arm of the law. The global criminal databases that the EFCC now has unhindered access to, include: i. Nominal Database containing records of personal data and the criminal history of people subject to request for international police cooperation; ii. Stolen and Lost Travel and Identity Documents (SLTD) Database containing information on travel and identity documents reported as stolen, lost revoked, invalid or stolen blank; iii. Travel Documents Associated with Notices (TDOWN) Databases, containing records of all extracted information from all Interpol Notices; iv. Stolen Administrative Documents (SAD) Database, which has records of stolen official documents that serve to identify objects, for example, vehicle registration documents and clearance certificates for import/export; v. Digital Interpol Alert Library Doc (Dial Doc) containing records of newly detected forms of travel documents counterfeiting; vi. Edison, a Forensic database that contains genuine travel documents; vii. Fingerprints Database grants authorized users in member countries access to view, submit and cross-check records in the fingerprints database via a user-friendly automatic fingerprint identification system (AFIS); viii. iARMS contains over a million records of lost, stolen, trafficked or smuggled firearms. iARMS can identify firearms trafficking patterns and smuggling routes; ix. Stolen Motor Vehicles (SMV) Database contains extensive identification details from all types of motor vehicles and identifiable spare parts reported as stolen. efcc-gets-direct-access-to-114m-interpol-criminal-records **************************************** 2 JUN 2022 Two Convicted For Internet Fraud In Lagos The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters, Ahmed Abiodun and Owotutu Damilare, before Justice O.A. Okunuga of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. They were both separately arraigned on an amended one-count charge bordering on possession of documents containing false pretences, with which they perpetrated internet fraud and defrauded unsuspecting victims of the society. The defendants, who had earlier been arraigned before the Court, had approached the prosecution, through their counsel, seeking a plea bargain and sentencing agreement, thus prompting their arraignment on the amended charges. They were accused of contravening Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. They both separately pleaded "guilty" to the amended one-count charge. In the course of the trial of Owotutu, the prosecuting counsel, E.S. Okongwu, who reviewed the facts of the matter, tendered in evidence his statement made to the interrogators, his iPhone 11, one HP laptop, a bank draft of N300,000 restitution and the fraudulent documents printed out from his devices. They were all admitted as exhibits against him, as there was no objection from the defence counsel, Anthony Airewele. During the trial of Abiodun, the prosecuting counsel, O. Adewunmi, who reviewed the facts of the matter, tendered in evidence his statement made upon his arrest, an iPhone 12 Pro Max, an iPhone 11, a MacBook Air laptop, one HP laptop, a gold ring, printout of his cryptocurrency wallet containing $6,062.74, being the remainder of the about $10,000 he benefited from the alleged internet fraud, and other fraudulent documents printed out from his devices. Adewunmi further informed the Court that a Toyota vehicle was also recovered from him along with N55,214 in his bank account. There was no objection from the defence counsel, Z.S. Makinde; hence, they were admitted as exhibits against him. Following their guilty pleas and the respective plea bargain and sentencing agreements, Justice Okunuga pronounced them guilty as charged. Justice Okunuga sentenced Owotutu to six hours per day community service for 12 months, while Abiodun was sentenced to one year at a correctional facility without an option of fine. Items recovered from them were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government. They were both ordered, upon completion of their sentences, to sign an undertaking with the EFCC never to engage in such vices again The press release contains a photo of each 419er: two-convicted-for-internet-fraud-in-lagos ************************************* 2 JUN 2022 EFCC Arrests 41 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Akure Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Zonal Command, on Wednesday June 1, 2022 arrested 41 suspected internet fraudsters in Akure, Ondo State. The suspects were arrested at their hideout following actionable intelligence. They are Akinselure Bayo, Awopetu Abayomi, Adekanyi Ayo, Victor Ugwu, Awopetu Emmanuel, Ige Damilola, Omotoyinbo Pelumi, Ayeomoni Oluwaseun, Adeoye Olamide, Ojo Gbolahon, Adegbona Adedeji, Johnson Sunkanmi, Emmanuel Tosin, Busayo Ayeni, Olumide Oluwalogbon, Temitayo Temenu, Victor Emaiku, Abiodun Babatunde, Ehuwayijomo Orowole and Odukoya Jesuseyiyan. Others are Leke Daniel, Obafemi Tosin, Suleimon Moshood, Akadiri Olalekan, Adeyanju Isaac, Alakuro Lasisi, Hammed Saqio, Emaiku Abraham, Adenuberun Olarenwaju, Pius Ogunfeyimi, Okunnuwa Moses, Ayomideji Owolabi, Falodun Temilehin, Owanikan Damilola, Omotehinse Joshua, Emaiku Michael, Abel Ayo, Samuel Famous, Resurrection Adetuwa, Emaiku Emmanuel and Ogundele Oluwaseun. Twelve exotics vehicles were recovered from the suspects, including five Toyota Camry cars, a Mercedes Benz GLE 350 4Matic, Toyota Corolla, Hundai Sonata, Lexus RX 350, Lexus ES 350, Lexus ES 250 and a Toyota Highlander. Other items include mobile phones, a printer and laptops. The suspects have made useful statements and will be arraigned in court soon. The press release contains small photos: efcc-arrests-41-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-akure ****************************************** 2 JUN 2022 How Suspected Internet Fraudster Perpetrated $1,030,302.00 Fraud -Witness The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, presented its second witness, Ayotunde Solademi, a staff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Office of Legal Attache, United States Consulate, Lagos, in the ongoing trial of one Uchenna Igwegbe, who is being prosecuted on a three-count charge bordering on retention of proceeds of criminal conduct and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of $1,030,302.00, before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. One of the counts reads: "Uchenna Justice Igwegbe, sometime between July 2013 and November 2013 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, retained in your control the aggregate sum of $1,030,302.00 only through your account domiciled with First Bank, being proceeds of criminal conduct on behalf of Obinna Kelvin (now at large)." He is also accused of facilitating "the fraudulent obtaining of funds from unsuspecting members of the public totaling the sum of $937,073.00". The offences are contrary to Section 17 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Act, 2004 and Section 1 (1)(a) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Fraud Offences Act 2006. He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when he was arraigned on April 1, 2021. At today’s proceedings, Solademi, who was led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Ahmed Yerima, narrated how Igwegbe engaged in internet fraud facilitated by Obinna Kelvin, who was convicted and jailed in the United States for a $6.5million fraud. He further stated that investigation and forensic analysis of the devices seized from Obinna exposed Igwegbe as playing the role of a "bomber" in the alleged fraud. He said: "A bomber is just one of the different roles online scammers play in the pursuit of fraudulent activities." "In general, when it comes to online fraud or scam, the fraudsters work differently." "Some are called shooters, others are called bombers. Some others provide accounts, while others are pickers, and so many other specialisations." “From the conversations between the defendant and Obinna, it can be deduced that the defendant provides bank accounts. "In the conversations between the defendant and Obinna, the defendant was providing bank accounts tailored to the need of Obinna in perpetrating online scam. "The crime was discovered as a result of a joint operation with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, codenamed 'REWIRED'. "Between February 2016 and August 2016, the defendant sent five bank accounts to Obinna. “One of those bank accounts was used to facilitate funds to Obinna, totalling $188,791. "Upon interview of Obinna and forensic analysis of his mobile devices, Obinna was into online scam, which include insurance fraud, credit card theft, identity theft, online dating extortion and BEC. "It was also discovered that the defendant was in communication with Obinna for specifically the transmission of US and foreign bank accounts, which were used to facilitate funds." Under cross-examination by Victor Okpara, SAN, the witness told the court that the WhatsApp communications between Igwegbe and Obinna were forwarded to him. The case has been adjourned till July 5, 2022 for continuation of cross-examination. how-suspected-internet-fraudster-perpetrated-1-030-302-00-fraud-witness ************************************** 2 JUN 2022 Three Cyber-Fraudsters Jailed in Oyo The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 secured the conviction of the trio of Oluwaseyi Timileyin Agunbiade, Akande Hammed Oluwagbenga and Oguntoke Oluwadamilare Aremu before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, on one count charge each for offences which bordered on impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. The charge against Agunbiade reads: "That you, Oluwaseyi Timileyin Agunbiade, sometime in July, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to gain advantage for yourself did impersonate one Sabrina Mills, the pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015." The charge against Akande reads. "That you, Akande Hammed Oluwagbenga sometime in July, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to gain advantage for yourself did impersonate one Mark Anthony, the pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015." The charge against Oguntoke reads: "That you, Oguntoke Oluwadamilare Aremu, sometimes in 2020 at Ilaro within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonated the name Williams Johnson an American citizen with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act." The defendants pleaded 'guilty' to their respective charges. Following their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Mabas Mabur, reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered their statements as well as the indicting documents printed from recovered devices, which were admitted in evidence. Justice Agomoh, consequently convicted and sentenced Oguntoke to one year imprisonment, Agunbiade six months imprisonment, while Akande bagged five months jail term. Furthermore, the court ordered Oguntoke to restitute the sum of $600USD (Six Hundred United States Dollars), and forfeit one iPhone 11 mobile phone, one Itel phone and one Apple MacBook Laptop to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Also, Agunbiade was ordered to restitute the sum of $100USD (One Hundred United States Dollars) and the balance of N1,011,916.01 (One Million and Eleven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixteen Naira, one kobo), domiciled in his Guaranty Trust bank account to his victim and forfeit one iPhone 11 Pro Max to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Akande is to restitute the sums of $2,300USD (Two Thousand, Three Hundred United States Dollars) and N10, 104.53 (Ten Thousand, One Hundred and Four Naira, Fifty Three Kobo) domiciled in his Sterling bank account to his victim, and forfeit one iPhone 6 Plus mobile phone, one Infinix X5 phone, one iPhone12 Pro Max, a Smile Router and one unregistered Lexus 330 car to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: three-cyber-fraudsters-jailed-in-oyo ************************************** 2 JUN 2022 Court Sends Fake American Widow to 3years Imprisonment in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of one Aderibigbe Sheu, a student of Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete, for posing as a widow resident in the United States of America, USA, to defraud unsuspecting victims. Aderibigbe, a native of Oshogbo, Osun State, was one of the 30 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Malete, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State on September 19, 2021 during a sting operation by operatives of the EFCC. He was charged on one count of cybercrime and retention of proceeds of crime before Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin. Upon arraignment on Wednesday June 1, 2022, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Following his ‘guilty plea’, counsel to the EFCC, Rasheedat Alao, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendant including the phone, laptop and other incriminating materials printed from his devices, which were admitted in evidence. She urged the court to consider the plea of the defendant, his extra-judicial statements, and all the exhibits tendered to convict him as charged. In his judgment, Justice Sani having held that the court is satisfied with the evidence before it pronounced Aderibigbe guilty of the charge and sentenced him to 3years imprisonment with option of N982,403 (Nine Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Three Naira Only) fine. The court also ordered that the iPhone 7+ and laptop, which were used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. In the same vein, Justice Sani on Thursday, June 2, 2022 convicted one Awoleye Bolaji, who claimed to be from Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State for internet fraud related offence. Awoleye allegedly posed as one Karan Vanslack, an American lady, with intent to defraud unsuspecting victims in contravention of Section 22 (2) (b)(ii) of Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015. Upon the guilty plea by the defendant, Counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered one iPhone 6, the statements of the defendants and all the fraudulent messages printed from his device, which were admitted in evidence. Justice Sani sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment with option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) and ordered that the iPhone 6 which he used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains photos: court-sends-fake-american-widow-to-3years-imprisonment-in-ilorin ************************************ 1 JUN 2022 EFCC Arrests Seven Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters in Gwagwalada and Lugbe areas of Abuja. The suspects: Endurance Oziegbe Eraikhuemen, Ugochukwu Teddy Ezenwa, Godsgift Oghenekome Odheyibo, Micheal Ariyo, Lawal Waliyu, Evan Abu and Sunday Mba were arrested based on credible intelligence worked upon by the EFCC. Items recovered from them are different brands of mobile phones and computer devices. They will be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is concluded. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-seven-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-abuja ****************************************** 1 JUN 2022 Two Internet Fraudsters Jailed in Uyo Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State has convicted and sentenced two cyber criminals: Adolor Ikpomwosa, a.k.a Olivia Dockrey and Idaah Precious Idaah, a.k.a Katrina Jade, to one year, six months imprisonment for criminal impersonation with intent to defraud. They were convicted on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, preferred against them by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The lone-count charge read: :"That you, Idaah Precious Idaah, aka Katrina Jade, sometime in March, 2022 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented yourself as Katrina Jade to one Joseph Killoran and defrauded her the total sum of Five Hundred US Dollars ($500) 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 pleas, Counsel to the EFCC, Joshua Abolarin prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Ojukwu convicted and sentenced Idaah to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N700, 000.00(Seven Hundred Thousand Naira). He was also ordered to restitute the sum of $500( Five Hundred Dollars) to his victim through the EFCC and forfeit the sum of Six Million Naira (N6,000,000) being proceeds of crime in his UBA account to the Federal Government through the EFCC. Ikpomwosa was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment from the date of arrest, or pay a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira only (N500, 000.00). The convicts were also ordered to forfeit all instruments used in committing the crime, and undertake to be of good behaviours. The convicts started their journeys to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Uyo Command of the EFCC at different locations within Calabar, Cross River State. Their arrests followed intelligence reports worked upon by the EFCC. They were later prosecuted and convicted. The press release contains a photo of both 419ers: two-internet-fraudsters-jailed-in-uyo **************************************** 1 JUN 2022 Two Internet Fraudsters Sentenced To Community Service In Lagos The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters, John Austin and Alebiosu Rasheed Salam, before Justice O.A. Okunuga of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. The convicts were separately arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on the use of fraudulent documents to engage in online dating scam, through which they defrauded their unsuspecting victims. They both separately pleaded guilty to the one-count charge. In the course of the separate proceedings, counsel for the EFCC, S.O. Daji, who gave reviews of the facts in each of the separate trials, told the Court that the defendants, upon their arrests at different times, were further interrogated by operatives of the EFCC during which they volunteered statements admitting to their involvement in internet fraud. Daji further told the Court that two iPhones were recovered from Salam along with a Lexus 350 2010 model, while one iPhone, one Tecno phone and one HP laptop were recovered from Austin. He tendered the statements in evidence along with the various items recovered from them. They were all admitted in evidence as exhibits against the defendants, as there were no objections raised by the defence team. Thereafter, Justice Okunuga found them guilty as charged. In convicting them, the Court took cognisance of the fact that they were both first-time offenders. They were both sentenced to five hours daily community service for six months and the items recovered from them were also ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government. They are also to enter into an undertaking with the EFCC never to engage in any form of economic and financial crime again. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: two-internet-fraudsters-sentenced-to-community-service-in-lagos *************************************** 1 JUN 2022 Port Harcourt Court Sends Man to Jail for Impersonation Justice P. M. Ayuba of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced Nzebechi Precious Nnadi, to six months imprisonment for impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. He was convicted in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, after pleading 'guilt'’ to one-count charge raised against him by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The count charge read: "That you, Nzebuchi Precious Nnadi (aka) Laura Martinez between December, 2021 to February, 2022 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated and presented yourself as a military man from Mexico and also an engineer from Germany and obtained steam cards worth Eight Hundred United States Dollars ($800 USD) from one Juan Pereira, a Venezuelan resident in the US and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prevention, Prohibition, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act". He pleaded "guilty" to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, M. T. Iko prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. Defence counsel, M. Achuonye, however, urged the court to temper justice with mercy stressing that, "the defendant is a first -time offender with no previous criminal records". Justice Ayuba convicted and sentenced Nnadi to six months imprisonment with an option of fine of Twenty Thousand Naira (N20, 000.00) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nnadi's road to the Correctional Centre opened when he was arrested with one spark 7 Techno phone which he employed in opening several Google and WhatsApp accounts used in chatting with unsuspecting victims. He used the same accounts in chatting and professing love to many of his victims including Mari and Juan Pereira, a Venezuelan resident in the United States of America. He also falsely presented himself to them as Laura Martinez, a military man from Mexico and also an engineer from Germany and fraudulently obtained steam cards worth Eight Hundred United States Dollars ($800 USD) from them The press release includes a photo of the 419er port-harcourt-court-sends-man-to-jail-for-impersonation ****************************************** 1 JUN 2022 Ex-Convict Bags Eight Months in Uyo Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has convicted and sentenced an ex-convict, Ekemini Akininyene Effiong to eight months imprisonment for criminal impersonation and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $75 (Seventy Five United States Dollars). The convict was arraigned on Monday, May 30, 2022, alongside two others: Henry Izuchukwu Nze and Nze Francis Chike by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. While Effiong and Chike were arraigned on two-count charges bordering on criminal impersonation and possession of fraudulent documents, Nze was arraigned on five-count charges bordering on criminal impersonation with intent to defraud. When the charges were read to them, they all pleaded "guilty". Based on their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, S. R. Akinrinlade informed the court that the prosecution had witnesses in court to review the facts of the cases. However, the court adjourned for facts review, conviction and sentencing to Tuesday, May 31, 2022, for Effiong and Monday June 6, 2022 for Chike and Nze.The charge against Effiong read: "That you, Ekemini Akaninyene Effiong a.k.a Ashley Smith sometime in February, 2022 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honorable court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented yourself as Ashley Smith to one Blake Walters and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act". When the matter came up on Tuesday, Akinrinlade prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant as charged. Justice Okeke convicted and sentenced him to four (4) months imprisonment on each of the two counts without an option of fine. The sentence is to run concurrently. Effiong had previously been convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on December 31, 2021. He was convicted by Justice Adamu Mohammed for impersonation, phishing and hacking of e-mail accounts. This makes him a two- time convict for cybercrimes. Effiong's fresh journey to the Correctional Centre started when he was arrested by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC on February 9, 2022. Investigations showed that the convict was impersonating female Americans on social media platforms like Hangout and Instagram to defraud his victims. He variously posed as Ashley Smith on Hangout and Ashley Adams on Instagram and used his profile to initiate chats with one Edward Pendlety and succeeded in defrauding him $75 (Seventy Five United State Dollars) in three places. The press release contains a photo: ex-convict-bags-eight-months-in-uyo ******************************************* 31 MAY 2022 Internet Fraudster Bags Jail Term, Forfeits Property To FG In Lagos The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on May 31, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Nuhu Zakari, who was arraigned on a one-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and internet fraud before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. He was accused of acting as a middle man, who sourced for foreign bank accounts for other internet fraudsters. He pleaded guilty to the amended charge. Thereafter, the prosecuting counsel, G.C. Akaogu, informed the Court that the defendant approached the Commission seeking a plea bargain, which necessitated the amended charges While giving a review of the facts, Akaogu told the Court that the defendant was arrested sometime in January, following an operation conducted by operatives of the EFCC based on intelligence reports on the activities of suspected internet fraudsters around the Ajah area of Lagos State. "He was arrested along with some others and brought to the office of the EFCC for further interrogation and investigation," he said. He also told the Court that the defendant, upon interrogation, confessed to "acting as an intermediary between two fraudsters, in which he collects bank details of foreign banks" from one party to another. He further told the Court that upon his arrest, an iPhone 7, a Huawei phone and a HP laptop were recovered from him and forensically analysed. The prosecution counsel also told the court that fraudulent documents were printed out from the WhatsApp conversation on his phone. He, thereafter, tendered in evidence the items recovered from him along with his statement, which were admitted as exhibits against him. He urged the Court to adopt the plea bargain agreement between both parties. The defendant, in the open court, admitted the facts against him, and pleaded with the Court to temper justice with mercy. Justice Solebo found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to six months at a custodial facility. The Judge also ordered all the items recovered from him to be forfeited to the Federal Government. He is to enter into a bond with the EFCC never to engage in such an act again upon his release from prison. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: nternet-fraudster-bags-jail-term-forfeits-property-to-fg-in-lagos ********************************************** 31 MAY 2022 Online scamming: Three Nigerians Arrested in INTERPOL Operation Killer Bee An INTERPOL-led operation targeting malware cyber fraud across Southeast Asia leads to the Nigeria arrest of three suspected global scammers. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested the suspects in a sting operation conducted simultaneously in a Lagos suburb called Ajegunle and in Benin City, 300 km to the East of the commercial capital. The Nigerian sting operation comes as part of a global operation codenamed “Killer Bee” involving INTERPOL National Central Bureaus (NCBs) and law enforcement in 11 countries across Southeast Asia. The arrests follows the publication of an INTERPOL Cyber Report linking a suspected syndicate of Nigerian fraudsters operating from the West Coast of Africa to the use of a malicious Remote Access Trojan (RAT) known as Agent Tesla. The men are thought to have used the RAT to reroute financial transactions, stealing confidential online connection details from corporate organizations, including oil and gas companies in South East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. One of the scammers, Hendrix Omorume was charged with three counts of serious financial fraud and has been convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment. The trial of the others is still ongoing. “Through its global police network and constant monitoring of cyberspace, INTERPOL had the globally sourced intelligence needed to alert Nigeria to a serious security threat where millions could have been lost without swift police action,” said INTERPOL's Director of Cybercrime Craig Jones. "Further arrests and prosecutions are foreseen across the world as intelligence continues to come in and investigations unfold," added Mr. Jones. INTERPOL assisted in examining the laptops and mobile phones seized by EFCC during the arrests, helping to confirm the systematic use of "Agent Tesla" malware to access business computers and divert monetary transactions to their own accounts. "Cybercrime is spreading at a fast pace, with new trends constantly emerging. Through operations like Killer Bee, INTERPOL partners EFCC to keep pace with new technologies and understand the possibilities they create for criminals and how they can be used as tools for fighting cybercrime," said EFCC’s Director of Operations, Abdulkarim Chukkol. "The enforcement actions led by Nigeria and coordinated by INTERPOL send a clear message that cybercrime will have serious repercussions for those involved in business email compromise fraud, particularly in Nigeria," added Mr. Chukkol. The three men, aged between 31 and 38, were each arrested in possession of fake documents, including fraudulent invoices and forged official letters. Operation Killer Bee is led by the ASEAN Cybercrime Operations Desk, which is funded by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) 2.0 and supported by the Singapore Government. Operational partners included Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. online-scamming-three-nigerians-arrested-in-interpol-operation-killer-bee *************************************** 30 MAY 2022 Man Convicted for $150 Investment Scam In Lagos The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on May 30, 2022, secured the conviction of one Adeyemi Emmanuel before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for offence bordering on retention of proceeds of crime to the tune of $150. He was accused of engaging in illegal online activities to defraud his victims in an investment scam. The charge reads: "Adeyemi Oluwashina Emmanuel, sometime between the period of March 2020 and October 2021, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, retained the aggregate sum of $150 obtained from unsuspecting members of the public." He pleaded "not guilty" to the charge when it was read to him. The prosecuting counsel, Ahmed Yerima, who gave a review of the facts, informed the Court that the defendant was arrested sometime in September 2021 after operatives of the EFCC, acting on intelligence report, raided the hideout of suspected internet fraudsters in the Alagbado area of Lagos State. "Upon his arrest, he was brought to the office of the EFCC, where he gave his statement and his mobile device was analysed at the EFCC ICT laboratory," he said. Yerima also told the Court that several email accounts were discovered on his device, adding that the fraudulent documents he used to engage in investment scam were printed out in his presence. "He created Instagram accounts and claimed that he was into cryptocurrency business and used same to lure unsuspecting members of the public to invest," he added. According to Yerima, the defendant "confessed that he benefited $150 from one of his victims by the name Adams". Yerima further told the Court that the defendant confessed that the money was traded online and the equivalent in Naira was paid into his bank account. He, thereafter, tendered in evidence the statement of the defendant to investigators, the fraudulent documents printed out from his device and the manager's cheque of N75,000 issued by him as restitution. There was no objection from the defence counsel, F. Olatokunbo. Justice Solebo admitted them in evidence as Exhibits A, B and C respectively, and pronounced him guilty as charged. The defendant, who sobbed in the courtroom when he was given a chance to address the Court, also pleaded for mercy, saying that he regretted his actions and would never go back to them Thereafter, Justice Solebo sentenced him to three months in prison, with an option of N50,000 fine. Items recovered from him were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government. man-convicted-for-150-investment-scam-in-lagos **************************************** 30 MAY 2022 Three Fraudsters Land in Jail for Cybercrime in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, May 30, 2022, secured the conviction of three persons for offences bordering on cybercrime. The convicts are Omoniyi Samuel Pelumi from Ekiti South-West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Faloye Victor Oluwadamilola from Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State and Olanipekun Tunde Lukman from Oke-Iyin Area of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Capital. The defendants were prosecuted on separate charges before Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court, Ilorin. They had pleaded guilty to their respective charge. Following the guilty plea by the defendants, Innocent Mbachie and Andrew Akoja who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission, urged the court to consider the extra-judicial statements of the defendants and all the exhibits tendered to uphold the cases of the prosecution and convict the defendants as charged. In his judgment, Justice Sani said the available facts and proof of evidence brought before the court have shown that the prosecution had proved its cases beyond reasonable doubt. The Judge sentenced Omoniyi to one year imprisonment with option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira ) fine. The judge ordered that one iPhone 11 Pro Max, the sum of $110 (One Hundred and Ten United States Dollars) which are proceeds of his unlawful activities be forfeited to the Federal Government. The court also ordered the convict to restitute the sum of £250 to the victim. Justice Sani also sentenced Faloye to one year imprisonment with option of fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira). He ordered that one Samsung Galaxy S10, iPhone 13, MacBook Laptop which was used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. The court also ordered the convict to restitute the sum of $1,108 (One Thousand, One Hundred and Eight United States Dollars) which he benefited from the proceeds of crime. Similarly, Olanipekun bagged one year imprisonment with option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira ) fine. The court ordered that one iPhone 12 Pro Max, HP laptop which were used to perpetrate the crime and the sum of $200 which the convict benefited as proceeds of the unlawful activities be forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains small photos of all three 419ers: three-fraudsters-land-in-jail-for-cybercrime-in-ilorin ************************************* 27 MAY 2022 Court Jails Internet Fraudster One Year in Lagos The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, May 27, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Dare Tolulope before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for an offence bordering on possession of fraudulent documents, contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. The convict was accused of perpetrating internet fraud through the use of fraudulent documents and charged with an amended one-count charge. The charge reads: "Dare Tolulope, on or about the month of July 2021 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, had in your possession a document containing Social Security number 2446061738 belonging to one Eric Munro, which you knew or ought to have known contains false pretence." He pleaded "guilty" to the charge. The prosecuting counsel, O. Adewunmi, who also gave a review of the facts, informed the Court that the defendant, through his counsel, approached the prosecution for a plea bargain, thereby necessitating the amendment of the charge. She further told the Court that the defendant was arrested alongside some others at Osapa-Lodon, Lekki, Lagos State, during a raid conducted by operatives of the EFCC acting on intelligence report. The defendant, she said, was interrogated upon his arrest and the Samsung S8 phone recovered from him also forensically analysed. She said: "The result of the forensic examination was a number of fraudulent documents containing false pretence." "They were shown to the defendant, and he admitted that they belonged to him." "He also admitted that he was a middle man, who provided fraudulent documents to perpetrate online fraud, and had made $200." Adewunmi, thereafter, tendered in evidence the statement of the defendant, the fraudulent documents printed out from his device, his statement restituting the $200 and the phone recovered from him. There was no objection from the defence counsel, Charles Akinpelu. Thereafter, the Court admitted them in evidence as Exhibits P to P3. Following his guilty plea, Justice Dada pronounced him guilty as charged and sentenced him to one year in prison, with an option of fine of N500,000. Items recovered from him were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government The press release contains a photo of the 419er: efcc-arrests-2-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-abuja ************************************** 27 MAY 2022 EFCC Secures Conviction of Two Internet Fraudsters in Oshogbo The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, May 26, 2022 secured the conviction of the duo of Kamorudeen Sodiq Akano and Oyeniyi Hammed Ademola before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court sitting in Oshogbo, Osun State, for fraudulent impersonation. The convicts were arraigned on a separate one count charge of impersonation. The charge against Oyeniyi reads: "That you, Oyeniyi Hammed Ademola (m) on or about the 24th day of March 2017, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently represent yourself as Mary, a white female citizen from the United States of America, with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015." The charge against Akano reads: "That you, Kamorudeen Sodiq Akano sometimes in 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated Michael Borgen, a white man from the United States of America, with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act." Upon their arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges filed against them. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Bashir Shamsuddeen prayed the court to convict and sentence them as charged. Justice Ayo-Emmanuel convicted and sentenced Oyeniyi to six months imprisonment while Akano bagged five months jail term. Also, the court ordered that Oyeniyi forfeit N5, 746, 683. 86 (Five Million, Seven Hundred and Forty Six Thousand, Six Hundred Eighty Three Naira, Eighty Six Kobo) domiciled in his various bank accounts, one iPhone handset and one Techno Camon 11 Pro mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Furthermore, Akano was ordered to restitute the sum of $650USD (Six Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars), and forfeit one iPhone 12 Pro Max mobile phone and one MacBook Pro Laptop to the Federal Government of Nigeria. efcc-secures-conviction-of-two-internet-fraudsters-in-oshogbo ******************************************* 26 MAY 2022 Internet Fraudster Jailed in Kaduna, to Refund N36.6m to American Victim Justice M.G Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced Livinus Imoesi Oshioke, alias Alexander Lutz, to six months imprisonment for internet-related fraud. He was jailed on Thursday, May 26, 2022, after pleading guilty to three-count amended charges bordering on cybercrime, upon being arraigned by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. One of the counts reads: "That you, Livinus Imoesi Oshioke alias Alexander Lutz, M, sometime in 2021 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud impersonated one Alexander Lutz; a white male living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and claiming to be financially stranded when you falsely presented that your account domiciled in South Turin Bank with a balance of $3, 556,463.00 USD was blocked and that you needed help to pay the requisite fees to recover same which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(i) of Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act2015". The suspect pleaded guilty to the three -count charges when they were read to him. Upon his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Precious C. Onyeneho prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Justice Umar thereafter convicted and sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment and ordered him to forfeit the following items to the Federal Government: one Apple Macbook Laptop, one black and silver Dell Laptop, one Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max and one Mercedes Benz SUV GLK 350 Model . Others are the sum of N4, 556,573.06(Four Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy Three Naira, Six Kobo), N82, 438.80(Eighty Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty Eight Naira, Eighty Kobo) and N28, 000,346.25(Twenty Eight Million, Three Hundred and Forty Six Naira, Twenty Five Kobo) to forfeit to the government. The court further ordered that all the forfeited monies, and the proceeds from the sale of the Mercedes Benz SUV should be handed over to the victim of the crime, an American named Marva Marrow, by the EFCC, through the United States Embassy, as restitution. Oshioke’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when he was arrested by operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet-related activities. Investigations showed that he is a member of a four-man syndicate impersonating foreigners to defraud their victims. Specifically, he impersonated an American, Alexander Lutz to defraud another American: Marva Marrow of large sums of money. The press release includes a photo of the 419er: internet-fraudster-jailed-in-kaduna-to-refund-n36-6m-to-american-victim ***************************************** 26 MAY 2022 Internet Fraudster Bags Two Years in Port Harcourt Justice A .T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced Abiye Dokubo to two years imprisonment for impersonation He was convicted on May 19, 2022, on one-count charge bordering on impersonation, upon his arraignment by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The count-charge read: "that you Abiye Dokubo on or about the 10th of November, 2021 at Eagle Island, Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court fraudulently impersonated yourself to be one Nina Lambert via your Telegram account with the intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (1) of Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) of the same Act". He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, J .N. Dogonyaro prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment, with an option of fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100, 000) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The court also ordered that the phones recovered from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release conntains a photo of the 419er: internet-fraudster-bags-two-years-in-port-harcourt ********************************************** 26 MAY 2022 Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters in Benin The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday May 26, 2022, secured the conviction of two internet fraudsters, Aigbe Joseph and Adefulire Abiodun before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court, Benin City. Joseph and Abiodun were arraigned on one count each of fraudulently representing themselves in order to defraud unsuspecting victims. The charge against Aigbe Joseph reads: "that you, Aigbe Joseph sometime between 2019 and 21st February, 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Jeannette Provencal, a lady based in the United States of America, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo state) 1976". The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were arraigned prompting the prosecution counsel, A.A. Ozigbu to ask the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants, A.S. Adeshina and A.S. Akinfolarin pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions. Justice Ikponmwonba sentenced Joseph to three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine while Adefulire Abiodun bagged two years imprisonment with an option of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine. The judge also ordered that the Mercedes Benz C300 car recovered from Joseph at the point of arrest and the balances in his bank accounts be forfeited to the Federal Government. The convicts also forfeit their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria being proceeds and instrument of fraud. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: court-jails-two-internet-fraudsters-in-benin ************************************ 26 MAY 2022 EFCC Arrests Nine Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Benin City Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Zonal Command, on Tuesday May 24, 2022 arrested nine suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City. The suspects: Makata Lucky, Samson Shakore, Ase Daniel, Osamwonu Terry, Moses Nosa, Makata John, Mataka James, Eze Solomon and Emmanuel Noghase were arrested at their hideout following actionable intelligence. Items recovered from them at the point of arrest include mobile phones and two cars (Lexus 330EX and Accura MDX). The suspects have made useful statements and will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.. The press release includes photos: efcc-arrests-nine-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-benin-city ******************************************** 25 MAY 2022 Court Jails Three Internet Fraudsters in Uyo Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom has convicted and sentenced three internet fraudsters: Onyemaechi Martins Chikere, Tochukwu ThankGod Amuzie and Promise Okon to one-year imprisonment each, without an option of fine, for offences bordering on criminal impersonation. They were jailed on Wednesday, May 24, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge preferred against them by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The charge reads: "That you, Tochukwu ThankGod Amuzie, sometime in 2022 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented yourself as Rahul Lilapara, Birmaram Kumawat, Eko Yudho, Navid80, Mikhailm73, Dhaval Panchal, Puji, Eliptic Trad.co and Coinmatic Financial Investment, as an American Bitcoin Manager to your victims on social media platforms and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (b) (iv) of the same Act". They pleaded "guilty" to the charge when it was read to them individually. In view of their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, S. R. Akinrinlade, prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, both defence counsel: Udeme Tom and I. G. Udofia pleaded for leniency. Justice Adegoke convicted and sentenced the trio to one-year imprisonment each, without an option of a fine. The court also ordered that all instruments used in committing the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. The convicts met their waterloo on April 12, 2022 when operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC arrested them, acting on verified intelligence that linked the convicts to some online criminal activities, including the impersonation of foreign bitcoin managers, with intent to defraud unsuspecting citizens. [The remainder of the article deals with a non-419 matter] The press release contains photos of all three 419ers: court-jails-three-internet-fraudsters-in-uyo ******************************************* 25 MAY 2022 Two Convicted in Oyo, One in Osun for Internet Fraud An Oyo State High Court, on Tuesday May 24, 2022, convicted the duo of Timothy Oluwaseun Oni and Abdulwahab Oladimeji Muhammed on a separate one count amended charge bordering on criminal impersonation. The court presided over by Justice Bayo Taiwo, convicted the defendants after they pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against them by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Justice Taiwo, after considering the the facts of the cases and the evidence by the prosecution, held that the prosecution had proved the cases and sentenced the convicts to six months community service each. In addition to the jail terms, the judge ordered Oni to restitute the sum of $2,000USD (Two Thousand United States Dollars) to his victim and forfeit one 2011 Mercedes Benz car, one iPhone 12 Pro Max mobile phone, a Samsung Galaxy S8 phone and one Apple iPad. He also ordered that Abdulwahab pay the sum of N311, 573.00 (Three Hundred and Eleven Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy Three Naira) found in his Kuda Microfinance Bank Account as restitution. The charge against Abdulwahab reads: "That you Abdulwahad Oladimeji Muhammed on or about the 9th day of March, 2021 at Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud falsely represented yourself as Jane Smith, a white lady from the United States of America, which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." The charge against Oni reads: "That you Timothy Oluwaseun Oni on or about the 11th day of March, 2021 at Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud falsely represented yourself as James Tina, a white lady from the United States of America, which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." In a related development, Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court sitting in Oshogbo, Osun State, on Monday, May 23, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Emmanuel Ifeanyi Odinaka to six months imprisonment on one count charge bordering on internet fraud. The count reads: "That you, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Odinaka (a.k.a Mary Cathy) sometime in 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to gain advantage for yourself did impersonate one Mary Cathy, the pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.)Act, 2015." He pleaded "guilty" to the charge upon arraignment. Justice Ayo-Emmanuel afterwards, convicted and sentenced Ifeanyi to six months imprisonment. Furthermore, the convict was ordered to restitute the sum of $250USD (Two Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) and forfeit one iPhone 8 Plus mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. two-convicted-in-oyo-one-in-osun-for-internet-fraud ***************************************** 24 MAY 2022 Court Sends Two Internet Fraudsters to Jail in Benin The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday May 24, 2022 secured the conviction of Aguebor Osabouhien Kessington and Aruna Charles Destiny before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City. They were arraigned on one count each of fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The charge against Kessington reads: "that you Aguebor Osabouhien Kessington on 31st March, 2021 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud personated yourself as an American actor, Charlie Hunnan on Facebook platform, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976". The charge against Destiny reads: "that you, Aruna Charles Destiny (M) sometime in 2021 at Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be one Sexisimon, an American, by sending documents to unsuspecting American ladies through Instagram and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo state) 1976." Upon arraignment the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecution counsel, A.A. Ozigbu to ask the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions. Justice Ikponmwonba consequently sentenced Kessington to two years imprisonment or an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira, while Aruna Charles Destiny bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira. The judge ordered that one iPhone 6, Samsung Galaxy A12, one Dell laptop recovered in the course of investigation, being proceeds and instruments of crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release includes a photo of each 419er: court-sends-two-internet-fraudsters-to-jail-in-benin ***************************************** 24 MAY 2022 Court Jails Internet Fraudster in Uyo Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has convicted and sentenced 19-year old internet fraudster, Mgbak Okan Enyam to six months imprisonment for criminal impersonation. Enyam was jailed on Monday, May 23, 2022, after pleading guilty to one-count charge preferred against him by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The one count charge read: "That you, Mgbak Okan Enyam (a.k.a Michelle A. Mccauley) "M" sometime in 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did fraudulently impersonate one Michelle A. McCauley, a Crypto currency manager and Bitcoin Analyst, to unsuspecting victims, with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc ) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (2) (iv) of the same Act". He pleaded "guilty" to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his plea, EFCC's counsel, S. R. Akinrinlade, prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. Justice Adegoke convicted Enyam and sentenced him to six months imprisonment with an option of fine of N200, 000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira). The court also ordered the convict to forfeit instruments used in committing the crime to the Federal Government. Enyam’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC, on March 31, 2022 in Calabar following verified intelligence concerning his involvement in cybercrimes. He was prosecuted and subsequently convicted. The press release includes a photo of the 419er: court-jails-internet-fraudster-in-uyo ******************************************** 24 MAY 2022 Court Jails Undergraduate Two Years over Cyber Fraud in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 secured the conviction of one Oyedotun Adebayo Adebowale, a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin over offences bordering on cybercrime. Oyedotun, 19, was prosecuted on one count charge before Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court, Ilorin. The judge found him guilty of the charge and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with option of fine of N300, 000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only). Investigations had earlier revealed that Oyedotun had in his possession over N21million suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and a Toyota Camry Car, which he purchased using his mother’s name. Upon arraignment, he pleaded guilty to the charge. Following his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendant, iPhone 12 Pro Max, key and particulars of the Toyota Camry Car recovered from him and a draft of N350,000 (Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only), which were admitted in evidence. The counsel urged the court to take judicial notice of the unchallenged evidence placed before it as well as the provisions of the law to convict the defendant as charged. Justice Sani in his judgment held that the prosecution had successfully established its case against the defendant. In sentencing the convict, the judge ordered that one iPhone 12 Pro Max, HP laptop, a Toyota Camry Car, a draft of N350, 000 (Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) which he raised as restitution be forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release includes a photo of the 419er: court-jails-undergraduate-two-years-over-cyber-fraud-in-ilorin ****************************************** 24 MAY 2022 Ado-Ekiti Based Yahoo Boy Convicted in Ilorin, Forfeits Lekki Mansion, Car to FG Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, on Monday, May 23, 2022 convicted a certain fraudster, Ajewole Oluseyi David, based in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, for offences bordering on internet fraud. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of a duplex situated at Lekki, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, worth over N60million and one RS 350 Lexus car worth more than N6million, which the convict procured with proceeds of his illegal activities. Ajewole was prosecuted alongside seven other fraudsters over similar offence by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. They are Ebenezer Olamilekan Apata from Akure, Ondo State; Obadun Abiodun Taofeek from Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State; Ayeni Kayode from Iludun-Ekiti, Ekiti State; Alade Oluwatosin Daniel from Owo/Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State; Ojo Tobi from Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State; Adeyemi Segun from Esa-Oke Local Government Area of Osun State and one Akinrinmola Olumide. The convicts were among the 30 fraud suspects arrested by EFCC operatives during a sting operation in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Capital, on April 26, 2022, except for Adeyemi Segun that was arrested in Ogbomosho Area of Oyo State sometime in October 2021. The convicts, who were prosecuted on separate charges, pleaded guilty to their respective charge. Upon the "guilty plea" entered by the defendants, Innocent Mbachie, Sesan Ola and Andrew Akoja who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered several incriminating materials recovered from them at the point of arrest, which were admitted in evidence. The EFCC counsel urged the court to consider the "guilty plea" of the defendants; their extra-judicial statements and the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution as well as the provisions of the law in convicting the defendants as charged. Delivering judgment on the cases, Justice Sani upheld the submissions of the prosecuting counsel and pronounced the defendants guilty of their respective charges. The judge, while sentencing the convicts to various jail terms ordered the forfeiture of the items used as instruments of the crime and acquired with proceeds of the illegal activities by the convicts to the Federal Government. ado-ekiti-based-yahoo-boy-convicted-in-ilorin-forfeits-lekki-mansion-car-to-fg *********************************************** 23 MAY 2022 EFCC Arrests 22 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Asaba Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Zonal Command on Sunday May 22, 2022 arrested 22 suspected internet fraudsters. The suspects: Promise Bassey, Raymond Diamond, Ifeanyi Anyasi, Celestine Osalenlen, Johnbull Kingsley, Ikekhua Mately, Clifford Johnson, Akorah Chinedu, Kester Ogochukwu Idugba Junior and Lucky Egwuatu. Others are Victor Nwabunwanna, Happiness Ayo, Rawlings Nwabunwanna, Eleka Ikeja, Oliseh Emeka, Ozuwa Destiny, Prince Erik Nnamdi, Emmanuel Ochuku Igben, Tochukwu Onyido, Gift Onuajefe and Odosun Matthew, were arrested at their hideout in Asaba, Delta State following actionable intelligence. Items recovered from them include two Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4Matic and mobile phones. The suspects have made useful statements and will be arraigned in court soon. The press release includes photos: efcc-arrests-22-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-asaba ******************************************* 23 MAY 2022 EFCC Arraigns Suspect for Alleged Visa Scam The Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC on Monday, May 23, 2022 arraigned one Raphael Otobo on a three count charge of intent to defraud before Justice (Professor) C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State. Otobo is alleged to have defrauded one Kenneth Asuma Osaghe of the aggregate sum of One Million Naira under the false pretense of helping him secure a Canadian visa. One of the counts reads : "that you, Raphael Otobo sometime in July 2018 at Benin, Edo State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court with intent to defraud, did induced one Kenneth Asuma Osaghe to pay the sum of N420,000 into account number 2064628954 domiciled at UBA under the false pretense that the money was for Canadian Visa, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(b) 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 three count charge preferred against him. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, I.K. Agwai asked the court for a trial date and to also remand the defendant at a Correctional Facility. However, counsel to the defendant, Emmanuel Izegaegbe prayed the court to grant the defendant bail, stating that the alleged offences were bailable. Justice Obiozor granted the defendant bail in the sum of One Million Naira with one surety in like sum. The surety shall be resident in Benin and own a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The court also ordered that both the defendant and the surety shall submit two passport photographs to the court. The case was adjourned till 14th June, 2022 for hearing. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arraigns-suspect-for-alleged-visa-scam ************************************* 19 MAY 2022 Court Jails Internet Fraudster in Port Harcourt Justice S. I. Mark of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced 22- year old internet fraudster, Daniel Chukwu, to one year imprisonment for impersonation. He was convicted on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 after pleading 'guilty' to one-count charge bordering on impersonation, upon his arraignment by the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The count charge read; "that you Daniel Chukwu (a.ka.) Keanu Reeves, between 2021 and 2022, at Asaba, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, fraudulently impersonated Keanu Reeves, a United States of America celebrity with intent to gain monetary advantage from one Annjenlena Holappa from Sweden and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prevention, Prohibition, etc) Act, 2015. He pleaded "guilty" to the charge preferred against him by the prosecution. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, S. A. Kyenge prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Defence counsel, Paula O. Abudu, however, prayed the court "to temper justice with mercy, because he is a first- time offender and does not have previous criminal records". Justice Mark convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Judge also ordered that the iphone 12 promax which the convict used in committing the crime, should be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He also ordered him to pay restitution to his victim. Daniel's journey to the Correctional Service started, when a petitioner alleged his involvement in internet-related activities. He was arrested and further investigations showed that, he presented himself as Keanu Reeves, an American celebrity and fraudulently defrauded his victim a total sum of Two Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($2400 ). He was thereafter prosecuted and convicted. The press release contains a photo of "Keanu": court-jails-internet-fraudster-in-port-harcourt ***************************************** 17 MAY 2022 Court Jails Two Fraudsters Six Years In Kaduna Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna, has convicted and sentenced two fraudsters to six years imprisonment for impersonation and cybercrimes. The convicts: Mmadubionwu Tochukwu Kingsley and Samuel Ngode Wobin were jailed on Monday, May 16, 2022, after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on impersonation, upon their arraignment by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The one count charge read: "That you Mmadubionwu Tochukwu Kingsley (m) sometime in April, 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, in an attempt to commit fraud falsely presented yourself as one Gerald Keith, a white man and an entrepreneur on instalgram App ( a social media online network), when you knew you were not, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142 (1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017". "That you, Samuel Ngode Wobin (M), sometime in April, 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court in an attempt to commit fraud falsely presented yourself as one Thomas Broussard; an American military personnel stationed in El Segundo, Los Angeles, California to Jessica R. Brownskin, when you knew you were not and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017". They both pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to them individually. Based on their pleas, EFCC Counsels: M.E Eimonye and E.K Garba prayed the court to convict them accordingly. Justice Khobo convicted and sentenced Kingsley and Wobin to three years imprisonment each. They were also offered an option of fine of N150,000 ( One Hundred and Fifty Thousand) each. The judge ordered them to forfeit the phones used to commit the crimes to the Federal Government. The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre started when they were arrested by operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC, based on credible intelligence on their involvement in cybercrimes in the Kaduna metropolis. They were subsequently charged to court and convicted. The press release contains photos of both 419ers: court-jails-two-fraudsters-six-years-in-kaduna *************************************** 13 MAY 2022 Kwara Farmer, Three Others Jailed for Cybercrime in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, May 13, 2022 secured the conviction of a 29 year-old farmer, Yusuf Abiodun Babatunde from Osi, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State and three others for offences bordering on impersonation and retention of of crime. The three other convicts are Abdulrahman Mudashir Aileru from Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State; one Uthman Busari from Oyo State and Iyanuoluwa from Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State. Justice Mohammed Sani of the Federal High Court Ilorin convicted and sentenced the defendants to various jail terms upon their 'guilty ple'’ to the separate charges brought against them by the EFCC. Sesan Ola, Andrew Akoja and Rasheedat Alao who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission reviewed the facts of the cases. The counsel tendered exhibits recovered from the defendants at the point of arrest, which were admitted in evidence. The items include phones, laptops, a car and the extra-judicial statements of the defendants. They urged the court to convict the defendants based on their admittance of guilt and the uncontroverted evidence tendered before it. Justice Sani in his judgment agreed that the prosecution had proved the cases beyond reasonable doubt and pronounced the defendants guilty as charged. The Judge sentenced Yusuf to three years imprisonment with option of fine of N1,578,000 (One Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand Naira Only). The court also ordered the forfeiture of oneToyota Camry 2007 Car, iPhone Xr and HP laptop recovered from the convict at the point of arrest to the Federal Government. Similarly, Justice Sani sentenced Abdulrahman to one year imprisonment with option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine. The judge ordered that one iPhone 13, one laptop which the convict used to perpetrate the crime and a parcel of land which he bought with the proceeds of unlawful activities be forfeited to the Federal Government. For Uthman, the court pronounced a prison term of one year on count 1 with option of fine of N1,182,633 ( One Million, One Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirty Three Hundred Naira Only) and one year imprisonment on count 2 with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). The convict is to forfeit the iPhone 12 which he used to perpetrate the crime and the sum of $40 (Forty Dollars) which he raised as restitution to the Federal Government. In the same vein, Justice Sani sentenced Adewole to six months imprisonment each on count 1 and 2 with option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on each count. The judge also ordered the convict to forfeit the iPhone 6 which he used as the instrumentality of the crime to the Federal Government. The press release contains small photos of all four 419ers: kwara-farmer-three-others-jailed-for-cybercrime-in-ilorin ********************************************* 13 MAY 2022 EFCC Arrests Twenty-Three Suspected Cybercriminals in Ibadan Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested twenty three (23) suspected internet fraudsters in Ibadan, Oyo State. The suspects were arrested on Thursday May 12, 2022 at Apata, Jericho and Ire Akari Estate areas of Ibadan following credible intelligence on their alleged computer fraud-related activities. Sixteen of the suspects: Oluwole Oduwanye Kelvin, Adams Segun Ojo, Amuwo Oluwagbemi Oluwatobi, Theophilus Ademola Akinyele, Mimiola Olamide Victor, Ajayi Pelumi Pamilerin, Tolulope Adara Mati Timothy, Bamgbose Temitayo Abiodun, Ajibola Timilehin Isreal, Ajibade Habeeb Olakunle, Tobiloba Isaiah Seyi, Joseph Odunayo Clement, Victor John Enya, Odebode Temiloluwa Kehinde, Olaniyi Ajibola Roqeeb, and Olushola Oyetunde Samuel were indicted by forensic analyses carried out on their devices and the incriminating documents recovered from them. Seven others: Oladipo Tunde Lawrence, Eludire Gbemileke Joseph, Gbenga Abiona Wale, Ojuwaye Emeka Oluwaseun, Babatunde Kolade Tunde, Abu Idris Olalekan and Boye Timilehin Emmanuel, are still under investigation. Seven exotic cars, mobile phones, laptops and several incriminating documents were recovered from the suspects. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release contains several photos: efcc-arrests-twenty-three-suspected-cybercriminals-in-ibadan ********************************************** 13 MAY 2022 Court Sends Five Internet Fraudsters to Prison in Benin The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday May 12, 2022 secured the conviction of five internet fraudsters before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court, Benin City. They are was Amogie Julius, Omogbon Friday Harry, Osaze Okoro, Lucky Tegiri and Omokhua Destiny. They were arraigned on one count charge each for fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. They had sometimes between 2020 to 2022, impersonated foreign nationals with intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the public of their hard earned money. The charge against Amiogie Julius reads: "that you, Amoigie Julius between 2020 to 2022 at Wisdom Street , off Egba Road , Benin City ,Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently personate the identity of Gloria Hernandez Ortiz, with intent to obtain money from her and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 484 of the criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria ( as applicable in Edo state ) 1976". The charge against Lucky Tegiri reads: "that you Lucky Tegiri on or about 22nd February 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud falsely represented yourself to be one Mark Linda by creating two fraudulent email accounts, with user names dcluck75@gmail.com and company, giveaway7610@gmail.com, by sending text messages to some unsuspecting Chinese ladies, so as to obtain money, a representation which you knew is false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976". All the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against them prompting the prosecution counsel, A.A. Ozigbu and KY Bello, to prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Destiny to three years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira as fine while Okoro bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of Three Hundred Thousand Naira. The duo of Julius and Friday were sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira and One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine respectively. Tegiri bagged one year imprisonment or an option of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine. Justice Ikponmwonba also ordered that a landed property measuring 100 feet by 100 feet situated at Evboneka in Ovie North East L.G.A recovered from Julius and phones of all the defendants which are proceeds of crime be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains photos of two of the 419ers: court-sends-five-internet-fraudsters-to-prison-in-benin ************************************ 12 MAY 2022 EFCC Nabs YahooYahoo Academy Owner, 16 'Trainees' in Abuja Operatives of the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested one Afolabi Samad, owner of a Yahoo Yahoo Academy in Abuja. The 24-year-old was arrested on Thursday May 12, 2022, in a sting operation alongside 16 of his students. The youngsters between the ages of 18 and 27 years were arrested at their hideout located in Peace Court Estate, Lokogoma, a suburb of Abuja. The owner of the alleged Academy rented the 3 bedroom flat for Three Million Naira to impact the tricks of cyber-frauds on his apprentices for undisclosed fees. Item recovered from the suspects include laptops, phones, charms and two vehicles: a Lexus RX350 and Toyota Highlander. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release contains a photo: efcc-nabs-yahooyahoo-academy-owner-16-trainees-in-abuja **************************************** 12 MAY 2022 From Yahoo News: How 'Leonardo DiCaprio' Scammed a Houston Widow Out of $800K by Claiming He Was Trapped in Scientology by Tony Ortega The article is excellent, but too long to be posted here, so readers will have to use the following link to read it in full: leonardo-dicaprio-scammed-houston-widow ******************************************* 11 MAY 2022 Two Internet Fraudsters Jailed in Benin, Forfeit Mercedes Benz GLK 350 Car to FG Two internet fraudsters, Humphrey Omosivie and Tony Imalele were on Wednesday May 11, 2022 convicted and sentenced to prison by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City. The duo were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on separate one count charges of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. Omosivie and Imalele fraudulently impersonated one Nicole, a Canadian citizen, and Anthony Miller, a citizen of the United States of America, respectively with intent to obtain money from unsuspecting members of the public. The charge against Omosivie reads: "that you, Humphrey Omosivie (aka Nicole ) between 2020 and 2022 at Igbobadia Street, near Ukwa, Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently personate the identity of Nicole, from Canada with intent to obtain money from unsuspecting public and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 484 and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo state ) 1976". Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, K.Y. Bello, to ask the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, the defence counsel, M.O. Omozeghie and F.E. Oberabor prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Omosivie to two years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine, while Imalele bagged two years imprisonment with an option of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine. Justice Ikponmwonba also ordered the forfeiture of Mercedes Benz GLK 350, 2013 model recovered from Omosivie and their phones, being proceeds of crime, to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: two-internet-fraudsters-jailed-in-benin-forfeits-mercedes-benz-glk-350-car-to-fg ********************************************** 10 MAY 2022 Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters in Calabar A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced Ojinnaka Malachy and Michael Kenneth Goodluck to one year imprisonment each, for internet-related offences. They were jailed on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, preferred against them by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. One of the charge reads: "That you Michael Kennet Goodluck sometime in 2022 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented yourself as Roberto Enrique to the duo of Hoovey and Maya on Facebook and fraudulently obtained the sum of One Thousand dollars ($1,000) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) & (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 and punishable under 22 (b) and (iv) of the same Act". In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, S. R. Akinrinlade, reviewed the facts of the two cases and prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Dugbo Oghoghorie thereafter convicted Malachy and Goodluck and sentenced them to one year imprisonment each with an option of fine of N500, 000. 00 ( Five Hundred Thousand Naira only) and two weeks of community service within the court premises, They were also ordered to forfeit their phones to the Federal Government and restitute the various sums they benefitted to their victims. The convicts' journey to the Correctional Centre opened when they were arrested by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC at different locations within Akwa Ibom and Delta States. They made confessional statements that corroborated their involvement in the crimes. While Goodluck portrayed himself as Roberto Enrique on Facebook and successfully defrauded his victim of $1000, Malachy impersonated one Caleb Ini on Facebook and benefited $250 from his victims. The press release contains a photo of each 419 matter: court-jails-two-internet-fraudsters-in-calabar ************************************************ 10 MAY 2022 Court Sends Internet Fraudster to Jail in Benin The Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC on Tuesday May 10, 2022 secured the conviction of one internet fraudster, Osakpolor Joseph Moses before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court, Benin City. Moses was arraigned on one count charge of fraudulent impersonation. The charge reads: "that you, Osakpolor Joseph Moses between 2018 and 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of one Miller Wayne, a white man with intent to defraud unsuspecting ladies and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo state) 1976." Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge prompting the prosecution counsel, I.K. Agwai, to ask the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. Justice Ikpombonwon convicted and sentenced Moses to two (2) years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000) fine. The court also ordered that items recovered during investigation which are proceeds of crime be forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria. [The remainder of the press release deals with a non-419 related matter] The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-sends-internet-fraudster-to-jail-in-benin *********************************** 10 MAY 2022 Court Jails One Internet Fraudster in Port Harcourt Justice S .D. Pam of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced Tamuno Emi West to two years imprisonment for false pretences. He was convicted on Monday May 9, 2022, after pleading guilty to one-count charge bordering on advance fee fraud, upon being arraigned by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The lone count read: "That you, Tamuno Emi West, on the 10th November, 2021, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did possess document via your Telegram Account to wit: Forex/Binary Limited containing false pretense and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act". He pleaded "guilty" to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, O.C. Isiguzoro prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Defence counsel, Paula Abudu aligned himself with Isiguzoro’s prayers. Justice Pam thereafter convicted and sentenced West to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000.00) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account of the Federation. The Judge also ordered the forfeiture of all items recovered from the convict at the point of arrest. The items are: one iPhone 6 phone, two small Nokia phones and a Zinox laptop. They are to be sold and the proceeds paid into EFCC's Recovery account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. West's journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested by operatives of the EFCC in a sting operation conducted on November 10, 2021 at Tiger Close, Ada George, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Investigations were made into his involvement in internet-related activities. He was charged to court and convicted. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-jails-one-internet-fraudster-in-port-harcourt ******************************************** 9 MAY 2022 Court Jails Internet Fraudster in Benin Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Monday May 9, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Sunday Peter Etim to two years imprisonment for fraud. Etim was prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for fraudulent impersonation. One of the counts against Etim reads: "that you Sunday Peter Etim alias (Steven Batt) sometime in 2021 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud one Sadhna, an Indian falsely represented yourself to be one Steven Batt and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 484 of the Criminal Code, Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976." Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, K. U. Udus, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. However, the defence counsel, A. E. Ambrose pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant was a first time offender who has become remorseful for his action. Justice Ikpowmwonba convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with an option of Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N700,000) fine. In addition, the defendant shall forfeit his mobile phone and laptop computer to the Federal Government of Nigeria. He is also to undertake in writing to be of good behavior. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-jails-internet-fraudster-in-benin **************************************** 30 APR 2022 EFCC Arrests 18 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Lagos Operatives of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 18 suspected internet fraudsters in Lagos. The suspects are: Tijani Olumide Ahmed, Balogun Olusola, Ukuhor Richie Ifemeluona, Ologun Damilola,Adetokunbo Yusuf, Olubiyo Timilehin, Oyegoke Gafar Olaitan, Agarawu Farug Okikiola, Kazeem Oluwadamilare Adebayo and Salau Rahmon. Others are: Abdulrahman Adeshina Olasunkanmi, Rasheed Remilekun, Adeyanju Kehinde Emmanuel,Owolabi Temidayo Habeeb,Ojora Usman Olawale, Mubarak Balogun, Rafiu Olusegun and Ayobami Habeeb Oyeleye. They were arrested on Friday, April 29, 2022 at Victoria Crest Estate III, Gate II, Augusta Amadi Street, Off Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos, following intelligence reports received by the Commission about their alleged involvement in computer-related fraud. tems recovered from the suspects include cars, laptop computers, mobile phones and charms. The suspects will be charged to court after investigations are concluded. The press release contains photos: efcc-arrests-18-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos ************************************** 29 APR 2022 Internet Fraudster Bags Three Year Jail Term in Port Harcourt Justice S. I. Mark of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced an internet fraudster, Collins Williams Chinonyerem to three years in prison for impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prevention, Prohibition, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act He was convicted after pleading ‘guilty’ upon an arraignment Thursday April 28, 2022, on one count charge by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the EFCC. The count charge reads: "That you, Collins Williams Chinonyerem on or about the 25th day of February, 2022 at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate one Horic, an American National, with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prevention, Prohibition, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act". In view of his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, C. Okorie, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Counsel to the defendant, E. B. Ekong asked the court to temper justice with mercy stating that he is a first time offender with no previous criminal record. Justice Mark convicted and sentenced the defendant to three years in the Correctional Service with an option of a fine of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Judge also ordered that one Apple Laptop used in committing the offence be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, auctioned by the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the proceeds paid into the EFCC Recovery Account domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria. The convict is also to depose to an affidavit to be of good behaviour. Chinonyerem's journey to the Correctional Service started when he was arrested in a sting operation by officers of EFCC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for internet fraud activities. Investigation shows that the convict created a Romeo account with the user name Doraliss, presented himself as Noah and used the same to chat with his unsuspecting victims. internet-fraudster-bags-three-year-jail-term-in-port-harcourt ************************************** 29 APR 2022 Two Cybercriminals Jailed in Oyo, Osun The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, April 28, 2022, secured the conviction of the duo of Nicholas Ferdinand Paul and Babatunde Joshua Omotayo separate charges which bordered on impersonation before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State and Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State. The offence is contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the same Act. Upon their arraignment, they both pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them. Consequently, the prosecution counsel urged the court to convict and sentenced them as charged after the facts of case were reviewed and indicting documents tendered in evidence before the court. Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced Nicholas to one year imprisonment while Babatunde bagged three months jail term. Also, the convicts were ordered to restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them the Federal Government of Nigeria two-cybercriminals-jailed-in-oyo-osun *************************************** 28 APR 2022 Court Jails Internet Fraudster One Year in Abuja Justice M.N. Mayana of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court Abuja, has convicted and sentenced Daniel Prosper Nwabueze to one year imprisonment for romance scam. Nwabueze was arraigned on one-count charge bordering on impersonation contrary to Section 320(b) of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation (Abuja), 1990 and punishable under Section 322 of the same Laws. He pleaded guilty to the one- count charge. Based on his plea, prosecution counsel, Joyce Audu, prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. However, defence counsels Anoture Akpofure and Rachel Ogbebor pleaded that the court temper justice with mercy "as the accused is a first-time offender and has shown remorse". Justice Mayana convicted and sentenced Nwabueze to one year imprisonment, with an option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). Nwabueze, 21 year-old diploma holder's journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested for impersonating Aaron David, a British contractor and engineer based in the United States of America. Through his deceit, he defrauded a foreigner, Lynn Fletcher of the sum of $2000 (Two Thousand United States Dollars). He was subsequently prosecuted and convicted. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-jails-internet-fraudster-one-year-in-abuja ************************************* 28 APR 2022 EFCC Arrests 29 Internet Fraud Suspects in Owerri> The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Command on Wednesday April 27, 2022, arrested 29 suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation at 247 Suite, Bishop Court, Aladinma Extension, Owerri, Imo State. Intelligence report received by the commission revealed that the suspects were specialized in defrauding unsuspecting foreign nationals of their hard earned money. The suspects are: Iwueke Kingsley Clinton Ikechukwu, Nwafor Ikechukwu Okoha, Edokpayi Clifford Osamudiamen,Collins Arinze Chuwkwudiama, Chimezie Chukwuma Victor,Odo Chinedu Daniel, Humphery Chibueze Daniel, Henry Chibueze Bright, Akumadu Calvin Ifeanyi, Obilor Paul Ozioma, Chikezie Ekene Noble,Chigaemezu Dike Stanley, Kelvin Chibuzo Okafor and Oparaji Prince Uchechi. Others are: Ejimonyeokwu Jessy Chinonso,Bosco Ndubuisi Chimuanya, Amaechi Michael Ikechukwu, Amma Wisdom Uzor, Duru Chibuike Augustine, Solomon Clinton Chidozie, Duru Francis Chiemela, Ugo Victor Losisochukwu, Ibe Justice Chijindu, Iwuji Blaise Chimereucheya, Onyedibe Chukwuebuka Godwin, Dim Kizito Nnaemeka , Pastor Ikechukwu Goodness and Collins Arinze Chukwudiama. Intelligence indicate that they are involved in various forms of computer-related frauds targeting mostly foreign nationals. Some of the items recovered from the suspects include two cars, several mobile phones and laptops. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded. The press release contains photos: efcc-arrests-29-internet-fraud-suspects-in-owerri ******************************************** 28 APR 2022 Four Convicted for Cyber-fraud, Forfeits Cars, Cash in Oyo The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction of the quartet of Daramola Damilola Ayode, Ilori Olalekan, Taiwo Gafar Olamilekan and Olarewaju Sheriff Adebayo for their involvement in internet fraud. Ayode, Olalekan and Adebayo were prosecuted before Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court while Taiwo Gafar Olamilekan was docked before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan. The latter was sentenced to six months imprisonment while the three others were sentenced to six months community service each after they pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC. Furthermore, the court ordered Ayode to pay the sum of N103, 000.00 (One Hundred and Three Thousand Naira) in restitution and forfeit three mobile phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Ilori was ordered to restitute the sum of $700USD (Seven Hundred United States Dollars), and forfeit one iPhone 12 Pro Max mobile phone and one Toyota Camry 2008 Model saloon car to the Federal Government. Furthermore, the court ordered Adebayo to forfeit to the Federal Government, the sum of N6, 200,473.15k (Six Million, Two Hundred Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventy Three Naira, Fifteen Kobo) domiciled in his GT Bank account, one Toyota Camry 2004 car, one Toyota Venza 2009 model car and one iPhone 12 Pro Max mobile phone. Taiwo was ordered to restitute the sum of $4,000USD (Four Thousand United States Dollars) and N579, 110.14k (Five Hundred and Seventy Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Ten Naira and Fourteen kobo), and also forfeit his iPhone 12 Pro Max and Nokia mobile phones, one Apple MacBook Pro and one Mercedes Benz ML350 to the Federal Government. Thw press release contains a photo of each 419er: four-convicted-for-cyber-fraud-forfeits-cars-cash-in-oyo ******************************************** 27 APR 2022 Court Sends Four Internet Fraudsters to Prison in Benin Four internet fraudsters, Omokhua Bright, Nosakhare Uyi, Endurance Omonefe and Osasenaga Desmond were on Wednesday April 27, 2022, convicted and sentenced to various jail terms by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court, Benin City. The quartet were arraigned separately by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on one count charge of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The charge against Uyi reads: "that you Nosakhare Uyi sometime in February 2022 in Benin City within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud falsely represented yourself as one Carey Stephen Bernard (an American soldier) on the WeChat Platform and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code law Cap 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976 and punishable under the same section". The charge against Bright reads: "that you Omokhua Bright sometime between year 2020 to 21st February 2022 in Benin City within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of one Micole, an American on your Instagram account with intent to defraud unsuspecting investors in bitcoin business and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976". Upon arraignment the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Austin Ozigbu, K.Y. Bello and I. K. Agwai prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the duo of Uyi and Desmond to three years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000 and N300, 000 respectively. Bright bagged five years imprisonment or a fine of N300, 000, while Omonefe bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N150, 000. The duo of Bright and Uyi are to forfeit their cars, Lexus 350 SVU and Mercedes Benz C300 to the Federal Government of Nigeria. All the defendants are also to forfeit their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake in writing to be of good behavior. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: court-sends-four-internet-fraudsters-to-prison-in-benin ****************************************** 27 APR 2022 Nigerian Fraud Suspect Extradited to U.S. over Alleged $148,000 Scam A wire fraud suspect, Adedunmola Gbadegesin was on Tuesday April 26, 2022, extradited to the United States where he is wanted in a case of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The offences contravene Title 18, US Code, Section 1349 and 1956 (h) and carries a maximum jail term of 20 years. His extradition was coordinated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following a request from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, pursuant to a February 11, 2022 Order by Justice D.E Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/765/21, which granted a request to extradite the suspect to the United States to answer to criminal charges bordering on romance scam, wire fraud and money laundering. Gbadegesin who was arrested on September 2, 2021, is alleged to have defrauded an America lady living in Kentucky, United States, of over $148,000. Upon arriving in the United States, the suspect is billed to appear before a United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, where two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money l aundering have been filed against him. The press release includes a photo of the alleged 419er: nigerian-fraud-suspect-extradited-to-u-s-over-alleged-148-000-scam ******************************************* 27 APR 2022 EFCC Arrests 30 Internet Fraud Suspects In Ado-Ekiti, Four in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 arrested thirty suspected internet fraudsters in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. The suspects, comprising of twenty-eight males and two females were arrested at different locations in Ado-Ekiti based on credible intelligence obtained by the Command. They are Godspower Falodun, Omoniyi Pelumi, Victor Damilola, Akerele Olugbenga, Oluwatosin Alade, Abayomi Aderinwa, Ologunsoro Ayodeji, Olakunle Bidemi, Emmanuel Olukayode, Ojo Tobi, Ayeni Kayode, Ezekiel Ayomide, Tunde Lukman, Onikoyi Tobi, Busayo Obadu, Abiodun Taofeek, Ajayi Opeyemi and Ebenezer Ayodeji. Others are Akinola Paul, Jacob Wisdom, Akinrinmola Olumide, Lawrence Abimbola, Tope Abejide, Busuyi Ajewole, Seyi Ajewole, Sunday Pelumi, Sunday Pelumi, Fapohunda Paul and Aguh Henry, while Omowumi Victoria and Peace Beloved were the only females amongst the suspects. Items including six exotic cars worth millions of naira, forty-seven different brands of phones and sixteen laptops were recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest. In a related development, operatives of the Command also arrested four persons suspected to have been involved in similar offences over the weekend in Ilorin. The Suspects: Oyewole Moruf Damilare, Abdul-salam Quzeem, Mohammed Bello and Olusanya Idowu Lukman were arrested in Agric Estate, Sango area of Ilorin following a tip-off on their alleged unwholesome activities. Some of the items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest included expensive phones, different brands of laptops and a car. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the ongoing i nvestigations. The press release includes photos: efcc-arrests-30-internet-fraud-suspects-in-ado-ekiti-four-in-ilorin ************************************************* 21 APR 2022 Court Convicts Serial Fraudster, Three Others for N5m Fraud in Maiduguri The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of the quartet of Allen Abel, Jerry Shugaba, Ramat Bukar and Buba Hamidu y before Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri on separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, personation and cheating to the tune of Five Million Three Hundred and Eighty Three Thousand Naira (N5.383, 000.00). The charge against Abel reads: "That you, Allen Abel sometime in April, 2020 in Maiduguri Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently induced one Alhassan Sanusi to deliver to you 100 bags of sugar at the cost of Sixteen Thousand Naira (N16,000.00) each in the gross value of One Million Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,600,000.00) only under false petence of executing a purported contract awarded by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development which fact you knew to be false thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 1(1) (b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 respectively." For Shugaba, the charge reads: "That you Jerry Shugaba sometime in June, 2019 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly induced Daniel Madu to deliver to you the sum of N2, 650 000.00 (Two Million Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) under the guise of executing a contract for the supply of Dignity Kits purportedly awarded to you by Norwegian Church Aid, a Non–Governmental Organisation with No: MDG-107-03-202 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 (a) and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Cap 102 Laws of Borno State." One of the two counts brought against Ramat Bukar reads: "That you, Ramat Bukar sometime in 2019 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently induced one Ishaku Inuwa of Polo Area Maiduguri, to deliver to you the total sum of N18,000.00 (Eighteen Thousand Naira) only as payment for registration fees of 2019/2020 SSCE (Senior School Certificate Examination ) in favour of his Sister Abugail Waba which you failed to discharge your obligation and refused to refund the entire sum delivered to you and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 320 and 322 of the Penal Code Laws of Borno State Cap.102 Vol. 3 of 1994 respectively." Hamidu's lone count reads: "That you, Buba Hamidu sometime in February, 2021 or thereabout in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly induced one Zainab Lawan Gana to cause the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000.00) only to be delivered to you in the guise of securing jobs for her siblings at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 320 and 322 of the Penal Code Laws of Borno State respectively." The defendants pleaded 'guilt'’ when the charges were read to them. Counsel for the prosecution, Haruna Abdulkadir, prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Umaru in his separate Judgment, sentenced Allen Abel to seven years imprisonment for the offence of obtaining money by false pretence without option of fine, and one year imprisonment with an option of fifty thousand naira fine for personation. The court ordered the convict to restitute the sum of N1.6m to his victim. The court also sentenced Shugaba to one year imprisonment with an option of One Hundred Thousand Naira fine. The defendant was ordered to pay his victim the sum of Two Million Naira and in default, serve five years prison. Bukar and Hamidu, bag one year with an option of Five Hundred Thousand Naira fine each. They were ordered to restitute their victims by the Judge. The press release includes photos: ourt-convicted-a-serial-fraudster-abel-three-others-for-n5m-fraud-in-maiduguri ****************************************** 18 APR 2022 Fake Brad Pitt, Three Others Bag Jail Term in Benin City Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Thursday April 14, 2022, convicted and sentenced four internet fraudsters to prison for fraud. The convicts are Chigbolu Stephen Kanayo (aka Brad Pitt) Udoh Godspower (aka Wang Wei); Orome Collins (aka Wang Wei) and Clifford Otsu (aka Wang David). They were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for offences bordering on intent to defraud and impersonation. The defendants had sometime in October 2021 and February 2022 with intent to defraud impersonated foreign nationals on their respective social media platforms in the attempt to defraud them. The charge against Kanayo reads: "that you Chigbolu Stephen Kanayo on the 28th February, 2022 in Benin City ,Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Brad Pitt Williams , a celebrity residing in California, USA, on Instagram platform and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 484 and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria ( as applicable in Edo state ) 1976". The charge against Collins reads: "that you, Orome Collins on the 23rd day of February 2022 in Benin City within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly had in your possession documents containing false pretense to wit: fraudulent/scammed pictures found in your Email account: wangwie20@gmail.com and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976" Upon arraignment , the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, A.A. Ozigbu, to ask the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, Pascal Ugonne , the defence counsel prayed the court to temper justice with mercy and to honour the plea bargain agreement between the parties. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Kanayo and Udoh to two years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira fine. Otsu bagged three years imprisonment with an option of Four Hundred Thousand Naira fine, while Collins bagged two years imprisonment with an option of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine Justice Ikponmwonba ordered that they forfeit their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria and to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour. The ppress release includes photos: fake-brad-pitt-three-others-bag-jail-term-in-benin-city ********************************** 14 APR 2022 EFCC Dock Two for N22m Fraud in Maiduguri The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, April 14, 2022 arraigned one Mohammed Bukar (a.k.a Gausu) before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri on a one count charge of obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N19,000,000.00 (Nineteen Million Naira only). The defendant fraudulently collected the sum from Ba’ana Modu Buraye for the execution of purported contract awarded to him by Norwegian Refugee Council for the supply of water pumps. The count reads: "That you Mohammed Bukar (Gausu) sometime in August, 2021 in Maiduguri Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently induced one Ba’ana Modu Buraye to cause the gross sum of Nineteen Million Naira (N19, 000,000.00) only to be delivered to you via MUB Guzamala Enterprises Bank account No. 0003811629 domiciled in Jaiz Bank Plc. under false pretence that you were to use the said sum for the execution of a purported contract awarded to you by Norwegian Refugee Council, a Non-Governmental Organisation for the supply of water pump which fact you knew to be false and thereby an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 1(1) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2016." The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. Counsel for the prosecution, Haruna Albulkadir, asked for a trial date and the remand of the defendant in prison custody. Justice Kumaliya ordered the remand of the defendant in prison custody and adjourned till May 19, 2022. In a related development, one Adamu Ibrahim was arraigned before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court on a one count charge of obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira only) The count reads: "That you, Adamu Ibrahim sometime in March 2020 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira) from Abubakar Bashir under the false pretence that the said amount represent payment for the purchase of a purported plot of land measuring 50ft by 100ft laying and situated at Shuwari II, behind Innobative Secondary School, Konduga Local Government Area, Borno State which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2016 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act." The defendant pleaded not guilty to the one count charge. Counsel for the prosecution, Haruna Abdulkadir applied for a trial date and prayed the defendant be remand the defendant in prison custody. Justice Kumaliya ordered the remand of the defendant in prison custody and adjourned till May 16, 2022. [419 Coalition has redacted the remainder of the article as it deals with a non-419 related crime] The press release includes a photo: efcc-dock-two-for-n22m-fraud-in-maiduguri ************************************* 14 APR 2022 EFCC Arrests Seven Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Lagos Operatives of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, April 14, 2022, arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters. The suspects are: Sulaiman Ademola, Okechukwu Ndubuisi Prince, Sunday Carson Kingsley, Ikpeh Godwin Igojuju, Shile Temiloluwa Abiodun, Agboh Daniel and Nice Tom Eweh. They were arrested at No. 1 Gideon Obhakhan Close, Therra Annex, Sangotedo, Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the Commission on the illegal activities of some individuals allegedly involved in computer fraud. Upon their arrest, two exotic vehicles, laptop computers and mobile devices were recovered from them. The suspects will be charged to court once investigations are concluded. The press release contains a group photo: efcc-arrests-seven-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos ******************************************* 13 APR 2022 Court Sends Two Managing Directors, Four Others to Prison for Cybercrime The duo of Ibrahim Babangida Haruna and Christopher Robert, managing director of Damaste Royal Engineering Services Nigeria Limited and Locus Classicus Trade & Investment Limited respectively were on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment each by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City. The duo were arraigned on separate one count charges of fraud by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The defendants, as managing director and signatory to the Zenith bank accounts of Demaste Royal Engineering Services Limited and Locus Classicus Trade and Investment Limited, retained the aggregate sum of N657,350, 000.00 and N51,820,000.00 respectively; proceeds of Efe Martins Oserenwindamwens criminal conduct. The charge against Ibrahim Babangida Haruna reads: "that you Ibrahim Babangida Haruna being the managing director and signatory to the Zenith Bank account of Demaste Royal Engineering Services Limited sometimes between 2nd April to 25th May, 2020 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the aggregate sum of N 657,350,000.00 (Six Hundred and Fifty-seven Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) knowing that same represent proceeds of Efe Martins Osarenwindamwen's criminal conduct to wit: cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment ) Act 2004 and punishable under section 17(6) of same Act". The charge against Christopher Robert reads: "that you Christopher Robert being the managing director and signatory to Zenith Bank account of Locus Classicus Trade and Investment limited sometime between 4th and 5th day of June, 2020 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the aggregate sum of N51,820,000.00(Fifty One Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) knowing that same represent proceed of Efe Martins Osarewindamwen's criminal conduct to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment ) Act 2004 and punishable under section 17(b) of the same Act." Haruna and Robert pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against them by the EFCC prompting the prosecution counsel, Francis, A. Jirbo to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Haruna and Robert to five years imprisonment with an option of Five Hundred Thousand Naira fine. The defendants are to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth. In the same vein, four internet fraudsters, Iyamu Christian Iyayi, Destiny Etsu, Omosieve Greater and Ehiguese Odiase were convicted and sentenced to prison by Justice Ikponmwonba for personation and obtaining by false pretence. Etsu and Iyayi bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N300,000 while the duo of Greater and Odiase bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 and N150,000 respectively. The quartet are to forfeit their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria and to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth. The press release contains small photos of all six 419ers: n708m-scam-court-sends-two-managing-directors-four-others-to-prison-for-cybercrime ****************************************** 12 APR 2022 Undergraduate Convicted for Cybercrime in Ibadan The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Ogunleye Olawale Sylvester to six months community service before Justice Ladiran Akintola of the State High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State for internet fraud. The convict who is a second year student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, was amongst those suspects arrested by officers of the Nigerian Army and handed over the EFCC for prosecution. The convict pleaded guilty to one count charge. The count reads: "That you Ogunleye Olawale Sylvester on or about 11th November 2021, at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, impersonate David Miguel a white man from United States of America." Upon his plea, the prosecution counsel, Sanusi Galadanchi reviewed the facts of the case and tendered indicting documents as evidence. He thereafter urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant as charged. Consequently, Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Ogunleye to six months community service and ordered that he restitute the sum of $550USD (Five Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars), and forfeit one Tecno Spark 3 mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: undergraduate-convicted-for-cybercrime-in-ibadan ****************************************** 11 APR 2022 EFCC Presents First Witness Against Suspect In Alleged €211,000 Fraud The trial of one Ifekwu Dominic continued before Justice S.O. Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on April 11, 2022, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presenting its first witness against him. Dominic is being prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining by false pretence, and possession of documents containing false pretence. One of the counts reads: "Ifekwu Chukwuma Dominic, aka John Alfred, and Okechukwu, aka Connie Miller (at large), between 2014 and 2017, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the aggregate sum of 211,000 Euros from Imelda Dorflinger under the false representation that you Ifekwe Chukwuma Dominic had inherited gold from your father and needed the said money to pay taxes in order to enable you to have access to the gold, a representation you knew to be false." Another count reads: "Ifekwu Chukwuma Dominic (aka John Alfred), on or about 22nd June 2016 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and with intent to defraud, had in your possession document titled "Cashier Cheque", where you falsely represented to Imelda Dorflinger that you have been issued a cheque valued at $590,000.00 and which document you knew contained false information." He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges prompting the commencement of his trial. At today's proceedings, the witness, Mma Adamu Alhaji, an operative of the EFCC, who was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, I.O. Daramola, told the Court that the EFCC received a petition against the defendant sometime in September 2021 in which the defendant was accused to have defrauded his victim, Imelda Dorflinger, a German national, by posing as one John Alfred, with whom she developed an online friendship. One Connie Miller, who was actually one Okechukwu currently at large, had linked Dorflinger to Alfred, who is actually Dominic. He said: "When they became friends, the defendant started coming up with request for money." "In July 2015, they had an agreement to meet in Lome, Togo, and they eventually met there." "Upon their meeting, the defendant presented some documents to her, including gold export certificate, financial deposits in Bank of Africa, Ghana, and some other documents." According to the witness, the defendant deceived his victim into believing that he was "a Crown Prince", in Ghana, who had a Gold inheritance that he needed money to secure, which he inherited from his father worth 250 kilogrammes. He added that the defendant had told his victim that the gold was in the bank, and that he needed money to pay tax and other things to receive it. He said: "Based on the presentation of the documents, she believed the defendant and started sending him money through Moneygram." "In December 2015, they still met again in Togo, and the defendant still promised her that after he finishes clearing the gold, he would pay her back." "She kept on sending money until sometime in 2017." "But as there was no regarding the clearing of the gold, then, she met a Nigerian and made an enquiry." The witness explained that following her conversation with the Nigerian, it dawned on her that she had been defrauded by the defendant, and that Dominic was no Ghanaian Crown Prince, but a Nigerian. He said: "From there, she discovered that she had been defrauded, and stopped all communications with him." However, after a long while, the witness said the defendant again tried to reconnect with his victim and sent her an email again to greet her. He said: "She responded, and the defendant again started bringing up the issue of gold, that the gold is still there, and that he needed more money to clear it." "From there, she played along and made plans to get him arrested. She agreed to meet him again, with a promise to bring more cash for him." "Subsequently, the defendant was arrested and handed over to the EFCC for further investigation." He told the Court that upon interrogation, the defendant admitted the allegations against him in his statement volunteered to the EFCC. "The defendant admitted that the allegations are nothing but the truth," he said. Thereafter, the prosecution sought to tender the said petition to the EFCC and the statements of the defendant made to the EFCC. The defence counsel, Bartholomew Agnegbodo, raised no objections to the admissibility of the petition, but objected to the admissibility of the statements, arguing that "there were certain promises made prompting the statements being made". Justice Solebo, thereafter, admitted the petition in evidence as Exhibit A, and adjourned till April 12, 2022 for trial-within-trial to prove the voluntariness or otherwise of the statements being sought to be tendered. The press release includes a photo: efcc-presents-first-witness-against-suspect-in-alleged-211-000-fraud ****************************************** 11 APR 2022 Abuja Court Convicts Fraudster Justice Y. Halilu of the FCT High Court, Maitama, on Monday, April 11, 2022 convicted and sentenced one Izoduwa Osemwegie, to two months in prison for internet related fraud. The 20-year-old student pleaded guilty to one count criminal charge preferred against him by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The one count charge reads, "that you Izoduwa Osemwegie sometime in 2021 at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory cheat by personation when you created an Instagram account with the account name Steven McLean posing as a legitimate trader from Canada, and under the assumed character obtained the sum of €150 (One Hundred and Fifty Euros) from Huseyin, a Briton and €400 (Four Hundred Euros) from Jonathan, a Turkish citizen under the pretext that you are a legitimate Bitcoin trader, a fact you knew to be false and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Law (Cap. 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria) and punishable under Section 324 of the same Law". He pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him. In view of his guilty plea, Prosecution Counsel Nguper Martha Tertsua prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Justice Halilu sentenced Osemwegie to 2 months in prison with an option of N500, 000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. All proceeds of the crime are also to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: buja-court-convicts-fraudster *************************************** 9 APR 2022 EFCC Arrests 5 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Makurdi The operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday, April 9, 2022, arrested five (5) suspected internet fraudsters in Makurdi, Benue State. The suspects who are alleged to be involved in internet-related fraud are; Enekwache Bright, Amih Dominic, Achir David, David Atese and Anongo Angela. They were arrested in Makurdi based on some verified intelligence on their alleged criminal activities. Items recovered from them include mobile phones and several incriminating documents. The suspects will be charged to Court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release includes photos: efcc-arrests-5-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-makurdi ******************************************** 8 APR 2022 EFCC Charges Youths Against Cyber Crimes The Uyo Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE Bawa Hamidu has charged youths across the country to fully get involved in the fight against corruption by shunning cybercrimes and all other criminal activities. Bawa gave the charge on Thursday April 7, 2022 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State while holding a sensitization session with an Anti-Corruption youth group at the University of Uyo, Uniuyo, Community Hall. Addressing the youths, Bawa, who spoke through the Head, Public Affairs Directorate of the Command, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Theresa Nwosu, urged them to desist from all forms of cybercrimes and cultivate the habit of reporting perpetrators of such crimes and any other perceived criminal activity, observed around them, to the EFCC. "Nigerian youths have great potentials but are failing to see the dark shadow that being an ex-convict casts on their future. Cybercrimes are destructive because they are capable of building barriers against the future of youths. Within a week alone, a court in Calabar convicted over 30 youths for cyber-related offences. This is not good enough. It is high time our youths stayed away from internet fraud", she said. The Zonal Commander identified greed and get-rich-quick syndrome as the major causes of youth involvement in cybercrimes. He warned members of the group to desist from such tendencies. He also tasked them on the need to always report suspected cases of internet fraud around them. "I believe that you’re a member of this Anti-Corruption group because you truly abhor crime and corruption, and you desire to put a stop to the trend. If that’s truly the case, then you must understand that when you see something criminal or corrupt, you are duty bound to say something so that we can all do something by fighting this hydra-headed monster to a logical standstill", she said. The press release includes a photo: efcc-charges-youths-against-cyber-crimes ************************************* 8 APR 2022 Court Jails Six Internet Fraudsters in Calabar Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting Calabar, Cross River state has convicted and sentenced six internet fraudsters, for their involvement in various internet-related offences. The convicts are: Ezenwadike Kingsley, Ugwuoke Keneth, Gabriel Ewa Jonah, Emmanuel Chukwunonso, Ettano Blessing and Obidiche Michael Ifeanyi. They were jailed on Thursday, April 7, 2022 based on their "guilty" pleas to one-count separate charge preferred against them by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. One of the charge reads: "That you, Ettano Blessing, sometime in 2022 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented yourself as Dylan Espana and V Musa Wenkosi, an American Bitcoin manager, to your victims on Facebook and Instagram and obtained the sum of Seven Hundred Dollars ($700) from one Luzuko Mguda and Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) from your victims and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (b) (iv) of the same Act". Based on their pleas, prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, prayed the court to convict them accordingly. Delivering judgment, Justice Ojukwu convicted and sentenced the defendants as follows: Jonah and Kingsley were sentenced to six months imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N700, 000.00 (Seven Hundred Thousand Naira only) each while Kenneth was given six months imprisonment with an option of fine of N800, 000.00(Eight Hundred Thousand Naira only). Chukwunonso bagged six months imprisonment with an option of fine of N600,000.00 ( Six Hundred Thousand Naira only) while Blessing and Ifeanyi were sentenced to one year imprisonment each, with options to pay fines of N500,000.00 ( Five Hundred Thousand only) and N800,000.00( Eight Hundred Thousand Naira only) respectively. The court ordered the convicts to sign undertakings of good behaviour and forfeit gadgets used in committing the crimes to the Federal government. In a related development, the same Thursday, the EFCC arraigned Enyinnaya Donald Chidiebere before Justice Ojukwu on one -count charge bordering on impersonation. He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his plea, Abolarin immediately prayed the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant at the Calabar Correctional Centre. However, defence counsel, Udo Ukeme Johnson prayed for a short adjournment to enable him make a formal bail application. Justice Ojukwu adjourned the matter till May 11, 2022 for hearing of bail application and remanded the defendant in the Calabar Correctional Centre. Troubles came for the convicts and Chidiebere, when they were arrested by operatives of the Uyo Command of the EFCC on March 31, 2022 in a sting operation within Calabar, Cross River State. They were arrested in connection with their internet-related criminal activities. court-jails-six-internet-fraudsters-in-calabar ********************************************* 8 APR 2022 Man Bags Jail Term for Internet Fraud in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, April 7, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Ernest James before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for an offence bordering on retention of proceeds of criminal act, to wit internet fraud. He was arraigned on a one-count amended charge in which he was accused of engaging in dating scam to enrich himself. He pleaded "guilty" to the charge. Following his guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Ahmed Yerima, gave a review of the facts of the case. He told the Court that the defendant was arrested on September 15, 2021 in the Ajah area of Lagos State, following creditable intelligence received by the Commission. "He was, upon arrest, taken to the ICT forensic laboratory of the Commission, where his devices were analysed and documents containing fraudulent conversation were printed out," he said. Yerima told the Court that the defendant also volunteered his statement, admitting to the allegation against him, and confessing to defrauding an American based in California of N2 million. The prosecution tendered in evidence his statement, and the fraudulent documents printed out from his device. Yerima thus urged the Court to convict the defendant as charged and to order the forfeiture of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, N501, 720 in his FCMB account and N200,000 his Heritage Bank account to the Federal Government. The defence counsel, A.O. Afuye, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy. Thereafter, Justice Taiwo pronounced him guilty as charged and sentenced him to six months in prison, with an option of fine of N200,000. The Court also granted the forfeiture prayer of the prosecution. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: man-bags-jail-term-for-internet-fraud-in-lagos ********************************************** 7 APR 2022 Two Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Term, Forfeit Car to FG The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday April 7, 2022, secured the conviction of two internet fraudsters, Ajiboye Ernest Alade and Mike Ederihbhalo on one count charge of fraud. Alade was arraigned before Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Benin City while Mike Ederihbhalo was arraigned before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court, Benin City. Alade was accused of being in possession of fraudulent/scammed pictures containing false pretense, an offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act. On his part, Ederihbhalo impersonated the identity of Heike Hartmann, an American citizen with intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. The charge against Alade reads: that you Ajiboye Ernest Alade on the 22nd day of February, 2021 at Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did knowingly had in your possession documents containing false pretense to wit: fraudulent/ scammed pictures found in your email account kokeyepes78690 @gmail.com. contrary to section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act. Upon arraignment, Alade pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him by the EFCC prompting the prosecution counsel, A.A.Ozigbu, to pray the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. However, B.E. Ambrose prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant has become remorseful. Justice Shuaibu convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira as fine. The judge also ruled that his laptop and phones being proceeds of crime be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. On his part, Ederihbnalo upon his arraignment pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting EFCC counsel, K.Y Bello, to pray the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Ederihbhalo to three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000. Ederihbnalo is also to forfeit his Lexus RX350 SUV and phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: two-internet-fraudsters-bag-jail-term-forfeit-car-to-fg *********************************************** 7 APR 2022 Kwara Courts Send Auto Repairer, Two Others to Prison for Cybercrime The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, April 7, 2022 secured the conviction of three persons charged before Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court and Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin for offences bordering on cybercrime. The Convicts are Umar Abdulrazaq Olanrewaju alias "Sugar Baby" from Tanke in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State; Hassan Abdullahi Olaitan, auto repairer from Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State and one Tope Ayodele. While Umar and Abdullahi were prosecuted before Justice Sani of the Federal High Court, Tope had his day in court before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the State High Court, Ilorin. The defendants, who were arraigned on separate charges pleaded guilty to their respective charge. Following their guilty pleas, Sesan Ola and Andrew Akoja who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, phones recovered from them at the point of arrest and several fraudulent messages printed from their device, which were admitted in evidence In their separate judgments on the cases, Justice Sani and Abdulgafar who agreed with the submission of the prosecuting counsel that the Commission had proved the case against the defendants, pronounced them guilty. Justice Sani sentenced Umar to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). The judge ordered that the convict should forfeit one iPhone 7 plus, which was recovered from him at the point of arrest. The judge also sentenced Hassan to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). He also ordered the convict to forfeit one iPhone 7 which he used to perpetrate the crime and the sum of $200 (Two Hundred US Dollars) he benefited from his unlawful activities to the Federal Government. In the same vein, Justice Abdulgafar handed Tope a three months suspended sentence. The Judge ordered that one itel phone which the convict used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains a small photo of each 419er: kwara-courts-send-auto-repairer-two-others-to-prison-for-cybercrime ******************************************** 7 APR 2022 Court Jails One For Internet Fraud in Kaduna Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna, has convicted and sentenced Prosper Joseph to one year imprisonment for obtaining money by false pretences. Joseph was jailed on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 after pleading guilty to one- count amended charge, upon being arraigned by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The one -count amended charge read: "That you Prosper Joseph sometime in February 2021, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence to wit; cheating by impersonation wherein you represented yourself to be one Chase Rice, a musician from United States of America to one Leenchen and fraudulently induced her to buy "iTunes cards" for you worth €15(fifteen euros) 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". The defendant pleaded guilty to the one -count amended charge when it was read to him. Justice Khobo, thereafter convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment without an option of fine. The convict also forfeits the sum of €15(Fifteen Euros) and one Itel A6 phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Prosper's journey to the Correctional Centre started, when he was arrested by operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC on internet- related offences. Fraudulent documents were found on his mobile through which he impersonated three foreigners: Chase Rice, Theory James and Constant Nuel. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-jails-one-for-internet-fraud-n-kaduna ************************************** 7 APR 2022 Court Jails 15 Internet Fraudsters In Calabar Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie and Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State have convicted and sentenced fifteen( 15) Internet fraudsters to one year imprisonment each, for their involvement in various internet- related offences. While Justice Oghoghorie jailed six of the fraudsters: Okon Samuel Edet, Clinton Joseph Iheamibe, Emmanuel Joseph Effiom, Oguamalam Francis, Emejuo Daniel Daniel and Anieto Paul Ekene, Justice Ojukwu jailed the nine others: Njoku Jeffrey Kelechi, Godson Maduabuchi, Ubong Innocent Francis, Unyung Precious Ime, Edem Wisdom Wilson, Odo Peter, Iniobong John, Igbokwe Clinton Nkemjika and Daniel Peter Bessong. They were arraigned by the Uyo Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday April 6, 2022 on one count separate charge bordering on criminal impersonation with intent to defraud. One of the charge read: "That you, Okon Samuel Edet, sometime in 2022 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented yourself as Bryan James, an American, to your victims on Facebook and Hangout and obtained the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500) from one Jessica Sanchez and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (b) (iv) of the same Act". The defendants pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charge when it was read to them. Based on their pleas, prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. With no objection from the defence, Justice Oghoghorie convicted six of the defendants and sentenced them as follows: Francis, Effiom and Ekene were sentenced to one year imprisonment each, with an option of a fine of N200,000.00 ( Two Hundred Thousand Naira only) each, while Daniel and Edet bagged one year imprisonment each with an option of fine of N350,000.00 ( Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only) each. Iheamibe was also sentenced to one year imprisonment but with an option of fine of N250,000.00( Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only). In a related development, Justice Ojukwu convicted and sentenced nine other fraudsters to one year imprisonment each but with various options of fine. John was given an option of fine of N500,000.00( Five Hundred Thousand Naira only, Nkemjika an option of fine of N600,000( Six Hundred Thousand Naira only), Kelechi, Maduabuchi, Francis, Ime, Wilson, Peter and Bessong each got option of fine of N800,000( Eight Hundred Thousand Naira only). The court further ordered the convicts to forfeit the phones they used in committing the crimes to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The convicts' got into trouble and began their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Uyo Command of the EFCC on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at different locations within Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, based on some verified intelligence on their nefarious activities within the region. The press release contains small photos of all 15 419ers: court-jails-15-internet-fraudsters-in-calabar ************************************ 7 APR 2022 Court Jails Six for Cyber-fraud in Enugu The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Command on Wednesday April 6, 2022, secured the conviction of six internet fraudsters before Justice I.M Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on various charges bordering on impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences from unsuspecting foreign nationals. The convicts are: Ogenyi Frederick Ebuka, Igwe Kelechi, Noble Nwodo, Ebi Chibuike Victor, Kalu Eze Kalu and Eze Obinna Allan. The charge against Kalu Eze Kalu reads, "That you KALU EZE KALU sometime in March 2022 in Enugu within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court impersonated by presenting yourself as KIM JUYOUNG, a citizen of South Korea, to unsuspecting persons on your KakaoTalk Account, with intent to obtain money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 22(3) (a)(b) and punishable under Section s 22(4) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act 2015". All six defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them. Justice Buba sentenced them to one year imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N1, 000,000 (One Million Naira). They are to also forfeit their phones which will be sold by the EFCC and the proceeds paid into the Federal Government’s Consolidated Account. Igwe Kelechi is also to restitute the sum of $50 to his victim through the EFCC. The press release contains small photos of all six 419ers: court-jails-six-fir-cyber-fraud-in-enugu ************************************** 7 APR 2022 EFCC’s Ibadan Command Secures Eight Convictions of Cybercriminals The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of eight (8) internet fraudsters. The convicts are Adebisi Jamiu Ademola, Koleosho Eniola Michael, Timilehin Tobiloba Fajutu, Gbolahan Olonrewaju, Michael Timileyin Aiyeobasa, Olalekan Akinkunmi Faith, Ojubanire Akindimeji Quadri, and Samuel Adegoke Timileyin. They all pleaded "guilty" to the one count charge each made against them by the anti-graft agency before Justices Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan in Oyo State; Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High, Osogbo, Osun State; Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Bayo Taiwo of the State High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State. Upon their pleas, Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced Ojubanire to one year imprisonment. Justice Nathaniel convicted and sentenced Adebisi to thirty (30) days community service while Justice Abdulmalik convicted and sentenced Fajutu to one year imprisonment, Samuel to nine months jail term and Koleosho to six months imprisonment. Furthermore, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced Gbolahan and Aiyeobasa to eight (8) months community service each and Olalekan to six months community service. The convicts were ordered to restitute their victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains small photos of 7 of the 8 419ers: efcc-s-ibadan-command-secures-eight-convictions-of-cybercriminals ********************************** 7 APR 2022 Internet Fraudster Jailed One Year in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday April 6, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of one Morris Moses before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court 11, for cheating by impersonation. Morris who was arrested in a sting operation in Kaduna, was discovered to have assumed the identity of Tucka James on his Facebook account and used same to establish a romantic relationship and defraud an American citizen. The charge reads: "That you Morris Moses (aka Tucka James) on or about the 9th of March, 2022 at Narayi Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated one Tucka James on Facebook when you made an admission to one Dinna Gaay that you were in love with her and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under the same Law". The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him. Justice Khobo, thereafter convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment without option of fine. He is also to forfeit one Infinix Hot 8 phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release containa a photo of the 419er: internet-fraudster-jailed-one-year-in-kaduna ********************************************* 6 APR 2022 EFCC Docks Ex-Legislative Aide for N6.5m Fraud, Three Others Convicted of Cybercrime in Kwara [419 Coalition has redacted the non-419 related portions of the article] In another development, The Commission also secured the conviction of three persons charged before the Federal High Court and Kwara State High Court in Ilorin for offences bordering on cybercrime. The convicts: Abdulrahman Abdulmateen, a barber from Omun-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State and Oyeniyi Bukola Peter from Ila Local Government Area of Osun State and one Abdulazeez Mubarak from Mushin Area of Lagos State. While Abdulrahman and Oyeniyi were prosecuted before Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court, Abdulazeez was tried before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the State High Court both in Ilorin. The defendants, who were prosecuted on separate charges pleaded guilty to their respective charge. Following their pleas, Innocent Mbachie and Sesan Ola who represented the Commission in the three cases urged the court to consider the plea of guilt, the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, and other exhibits tendered and hold that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. They prayed the court to convict them as charged. Justice Sani sentenced Abdulrahman to six months imprisonment with option of fine N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). The judge ordered that one apple iPhone x recovered from the convict at the point of arrest be forfeited to the Federal Government. The court also ordered the restitution of the sum of $50 (Fifty US Dollars) which is proceed of the unlawful activities by the convict. In the same vein, Justice Sani sentenced Oyeniyi to six months imprisonment with option of fine N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only). The court ordered that one iPhone x plus, Dell laptop and Lexus 300 car procured with the proceeds of unlawful activities by the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government. For Abdulazeez, Justice Akinpelu pronounced a prison term of six months with option of fine N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only). The convict would also forfeit one iphone 12 promax, which he used to perpetrate the crime and one 2008 Toyota Corolla Car which he bought with the proceeds of crime to the Federal Government. The press release includes photos: efcc-docks-ex-legislative-aide-for-n6-5m-fraud-three-others-convicted-of-cybercrime-in-kwara" *************************************************************** 6 APR 2022 Court Sends Three Internet Fraudsters to Jail, Orders Forfeiture of Their Cars to FG Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday April 6, 2022, secured the conviction of three internet fraudsters, Ebuehi Gift, Joseph Etim Peters and Evans Osayuware Ovie on one count charge of intent to fraudulent impersonate and intent to defraud before Justice Efe Ikpomwonba of Edo State High Court, Benin City, Edo State. The trio fraudulently represented themselves as foreign nationals in order to defraud unsuspecting victims. The charge against Joseph Etim Peter (aka Mogarn Ben) reads: "That you, Joseph Etim Peter between January to December 2022 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of one Bernard J, an American Soldier with intent to defraud unsuspecting ladies in China and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976". The charge against Ebuehi Gift reads: "That you, Ebuehi Gift (M) sometime in January to September 2021 in Benin City within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of one Racheal Morgan, an American lady with intent to defraud unsuspecting investors in Bitcoin business and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 484 of the criminal code cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo state)". Upon arraignment, all the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of their plea, prosecuting counsel, Austin Ozigbu prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly but the defence counsel, Otasowie Chris asked the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions. Justice Ikpomwonba convicted and sentenced Gift to five years imprisonment or a fine of N500, 000. While Ovie and Peter bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N300, 000 and N200, 000 respectively. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of a Toyota Camry and a Mercedes Benz GLK vehicles recovered from Gift and Ovie to the Federal Government of Nigeria. They are also to forfeit their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth. The press release contains a small photo of each 419er: court-sends-three-internet-fraudsters-to-jail-orders-forfeiture-of-their-cars-to-fg **************************************************** 5 APR 2022 Court Jails Two for Impersonation In Kaduna Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna has convicted and sentenced George Ahmadu( alias Don Johnson) and Joshua. B. Amos( alias Eric Church) to one year imprisonment each for impersonation. They were jailed on Monday, April 4, 2022, based on their "guilty" pleas to one- count amended charge bordering on impersonation, upon their arraignment by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The charge reads: "That you George Ahmadu (a.k.a Don Johnson) 'M' sometime in February, 2022 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, Impersonated one Don Johnson on Hangout when you made an admission to one Leenchen that you were in love with her and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 142 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under the same Law". Upon their guilty pleas, prosecution counsels: M.E Eimonye and defence counsel, E.E Ogah prayed the court to convict them accordingly. Justice Khobo convicted and sentenced Ahmadu and Amos to one year imprisonment each, without an option of fine. He also ordered them to forfeit one Techno KB7 and IPhone XR phones to the Federal Government. The convicts' journey to the Correctional Centre started when they were arrested by operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC in connection with suspected involvement in internet fraud Investigations showed that Ahmadu and Amos assumed the identities of United States of American actor and musician: Don Johnson and Eric Church to defraud local and international victims. The press release contains photos of each 419er: court-jails-two-for-impersonation-in-kaduna ************************************************* 5 APR 2022 Court Jails 10 Internet Fraudsters in Calabar Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced ten ( 10) internet fraudsters to one year imprisonment each. The convicts were arraigned by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on one-count separate charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The all-male convicts, whose ages range between 19 and 33, are: Jordan Chisom Ozuma; Onyekere Emmanuel Chigoziem; Simon Moses Isong; Itodo Benjamin Ofoma; Kelechi Victor Chinaka; Osunkwo Temple Amaechi; Nnoli Francis Chukwuemeka; Kenneth Chimaobi Chibuike, Stanley Chukwuemeka and Ifeanyi Charles Ejimadu. One of the charge read: "That you, Kelechi Victor Chinaka, sometime in February, 2022 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did take possession of the sum of $300 (Three Hundred US Dollars only) which you reasonably ought to have known forms proceed of an unlawful act to wit: cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act". They all pleaded 'guilty' to the charge when read to them. In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Justice convicted and sentenced the defendants as follows: Ofoma, Chukwuemeka Isong were sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N200,000.00 ( Two Hundred Thousand Naira only) each while Ozuma, Chigoziem and Ejimadu bagged one year imprisonment each with an option of fine of N500,000.00( Five Hundred Thousand Naira) each. Chibuike and Nnoli both bagged one year imprisonment each with an option of fine of N350,000. 00 ( Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only) and N250,000.00 ( Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only) respectively, while Amechi was sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N400,000.00 ( Four Hundred Thousand Naira only) and Chinaka one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N300,000.00( Three Hundred Thousand Naira only) The court further ordered the convicts to forfeit all gadgets used in committing the crimes to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The convicts' journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC, at different locations within Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. Further investigations were conducted on their involvement in internet fraud and were later prosecuted and convicted. The press release contains a group photo of all 10 419ers: court-jails-10-internet-fraudsters-in-calabar ********************************************* 5 APR 2022 Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters in Port Harcourt Justices S. I. Mark and P. M. Ayuba of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters: Okoro Uchechukwu and Emeka Paul Ezenwadi to two years imprisonment each for internet- related fraud. They were jailed on Monday, April 4, 2022 after pleading "guilty" to one-count separate charge bordering on impersonation, upon being arraigned by the Port Harcourt's Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The one- count charge read: "That you Okoro Uchechukwu, sometimes in August, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Emma Nina Pereira, a female student of the United States of America Army School via your Google account with email address: yudithnia87@gmail.com with intent to gain advantage for yourself 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) of the same Act". In view of their pleas of "guilty", prosecution counsels: I. Agu and C. O. Oni prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Defense counsels: F. A. Bigha and B. J. Geoffrey prayed the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing the defendants, stressing that, "they are first -time offenders, with no previous criminal records". Justice Ayuba convicted and sentenced Ezenwadi to two years imprisonment, with an option of fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100, 000.00) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federation. Also, Justice Mark convicted and sentenced Uchechukwu to two years imprisonment, with an option of fine of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300, 000.00), payable into the same Federal Government's account. The judges ordered that the proceeds of crime; a black Dell Laptop, one iPhone x, and three Apple wrist watches, should be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The items are to be sold via public auction by the EFCC's Secretary, and the proceeds paid into the EFCC Recovery Account domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria. The convicts should also depose to affidavits of good behaviour before the court. Ezenwadi and Uchechukwu’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when they were arrested in a sting operation by operatives of the EFCC at Aba Owerri Road, Aba, Abia state , for internet- related offences. Further investigations showed that they were involved in fraudulent cyber dealings. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: court-jails-two-internet-fraudsters-in-port-harcourt-2 ********************************************* 5 APR 2022 Court Sends Three Internet Fraudsters to Prison in Benin Three Internet fraudsters, Daniel Ogbemudia Isaiah, Aisosa Enobahkre and Omokaro Augustine Israel were on Tuesday April 5, 2022, convicted and sentenced to prison by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City. The trio were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on one count charge of personation and obtaining by false pretence. For instance, one of the defendants Isaiah presented himself as Henrick Kronberg, a crypto currency investment expert on Instagram in order to defraud unsuspecting victims. The charge against Enobahkre reads: "that you Aisosa Enobahkre (alias Jerry Burger) sometime in 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud different persons falsely represented yourself as one Jerry Burger a bitcoin mining expert on Instagram and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code, Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976. Upon arraignment the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, K. U Udus prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the duo of Enobahkre and Isaiah to two years imprisonment or a fine of N300, 000 while I srael bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000. The trio are to forfeit their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake in writing to be of good behaviour. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: court-sends-three-internet-fraudsters-to-prison-in-benin *************************************************** 4 APR 2022 Six Land in Jail for Cybercrime in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, April 4, 2022 secured the conviction of six persons charged for various offences bordering on cyber fraud before Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court and Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin. The Convicts are: Akibu Waris Oluwadamilola from Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State; Animasahaun Gbolahan Ahmed from Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State; Hammed Ibrahim Opeyemi who resides in Atari Area of Offa, Kwara State; Ibitowa Toheeb Abolayo from Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State; Salaudeen Muritala and Olagoke Hammed from Modakeke in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State. The EFCC prosecuted five of the defendants before Justice Sani, while only Olagoke was tried before Justice Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin. The defendants, who were arraigned on separate charges before the courts pleaded guilty to their respective charge. Following their pleas, counsel to the EFCC in the matter - Aliyu Adebayo, Sesan Ola, Andrew Akoja and Rasheedat Alao who reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered extra-judicial statements of the defendants, phones, laptops, cars and fraudulent messages printed from their device, which were admitted in evidence. The counsel urged the court to consider the proof of evidence, plea of guilt entered by the defendants and hold that the prosecution had established prima-facie case against the defendants. They prayed the court to convict them as charged. In their separate judgements on the cases, Justice Sani and Akinpelu agreed that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The Justices found each of the defendants guilty of their respective charges. Justice Sani sentence Akibu to one-year imprisonment each on count one and two, which would run concurrently with option of fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) on each count. The Judge ordered that one Toyota Camry Car, iphone 6 plus, hp laptop and monies which are proceeds of the illegal activities in his bank accounts be forfeited to the Federal Government. The Judge sentenced Animashaun to three-year imprisonment on count one with option of fine of N59,900 (Fifty Nine Thousand, Five Hundred Naira Only) and three-year imprisonment on count two with option of fine of N584,700 (Five Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira Only). The Court ordered that one iphone 12 which was used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. Hammed bagged one-year imprisonment on count one, two and three which would run concurrently with option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) on each count. The convict was ordered to raise the sum of $130 (One Hundred and Thirty Dollars) as restitution, while his iPhone X would be forfeited to the Federal Government. In the same vein, Justice Sani sentenced Ibitowa to one-year imprisonment with option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira). The judge ordered the forfeiture of one iPhone x used by the convict to perpetrate the crime to the Federal Government. The judge sentenced Salaudeen to one-year imprisonment each on count one and two with option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) on each count. The court ordered the forfeiture of one Toyota Camry Car and iPhone 11 Promax to the Federal Government. For Olagoke, Justice Akinpelu pronounced a prison term of six-years each on count one and two with option of fine of N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) on each count. The judge also ordered that one Honda Accord Car, iPhone 11 Promax and the sum of N1,913,432.75 domiciled in the convict's Keystone bank account be forfeited to the Federal Government The press release contains a small photo of each 419er: six-land-in-jail-for-cybercrime-in-ilorin ************************************ 4 APR 2022 Court Sends Two Internet Fraudsters to Jail in Benin Justice S.M Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City on Monday, April 4, 2022, convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters to three years imprisonment for fraud. The fraudsters Kazeem Akeem (aka Rose Tinda) and Akinbisodun Opeyemi were arraigned on one count charge by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for fraudulent impersonation. The charge against Akeem reads: "That you Kazeem Akeem (aka Rose Tinda) on or about the 26th day of April 2021 at Housing Estate, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Rose Tinda, a white woman by using email tindalerose@gmail.com with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under section 22(2) (b)(iv) of the same Act". Upon arraignment the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However, the defence counsel, Eric Ewierhoma pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for his action. Justice Shuaibu convicted and sentenced the defendants to three years imprisonment each with an option of N300,000 fine. In addition, the defendants shall forfeit their mobile phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake in writing to be of good behavior henceforth. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: court-sends-two-internet-fraudsters-to-jail-in-benin *************************************** 1 APR 2022 Court Jails 14 for Fraud in Calabar A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, presided over by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu has convicted one Obed Chukwuemeka Great, a Student of the University of Calabar, and 13 others for offences bordering on criminal impersonation with intent to defraud. The 13 others aged between 18 and 27 are: Nwagbara Randy Chima, Omororo Charity, Enya Aboli Samuel, Otaka Emmanuel, Owolabi Kolawole and Ekima Kingsley Ujiokoyo. Others are: David Frank Osas, Gabriel Uko Ogbu, Ihemekwelam Uriel Chkwuemeka, Ejiofor Victor, Thank-God Udeme, John Omokhagbon Audi and Gabriel Okongor. The defendants were arraigned on different dates, and they pleaded 'guilty' to the separate one count charge preferred against them by the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. One of the charge reads: "That you, Ejiofor Victor sometimes in 2022 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented yourself as Peter Weller and James Garland, an American Bitcoin manager, to your victims on Facebook and Instagram and obtained the sum of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b)(i) and (ii) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (b) (iv) of the same Act". In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Segun Akinrinlade, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. But Justice Ojukwu convicted and sentenced the defendants as follows: Nwagbara and Omororo were sentenced to 1year imprisonment with the option of a fine of N800,000.00 each while Samuel was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment with the same option of fine. Ejiofor was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment with the option of a fine of N800,000.00, while Udeme, Audi and Okongor were sentenced to 1 year imprisonment each with the option of a fine of N800,000.00 each. While Obed Chukwuemeka Great, Otaka Emmanuel, Owolabi Kolawole, Ekima Ujiokoyo, David Osas, Gabriel Ogbu and Ihemekwelam Uriel Chkwuemeka were sentenced to 1year imprisonment each with the option of a fine of N800, 000.00 except Ogbu who bagged 6 months imprisonment with same option of fine. All 14 convicts were ordered to forfeit the gadgets they used in committing the crimes to the Federal Government. The convicts were arrested at different locations within Cross River and Akwa Ibom States on February 22, 2022 and March 1, 2022 by operatives of the Commission, during sting operations. The press release contains photos of 10 of the 419ers: court-jails-14-for-fraud-in-calabar ***************************************** 1 APR 2022 Ex-Convict, Oyeyemi Loses Rights Suit against EFCC Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Thursday, March 31, 2022 dismissed a fundamental right suit brought by a convicted fraudster, Oyeyemi Caleb, against Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Oyeyemi, 21, from Odo-Owa in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State was sometime last year prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the State High Court in Ilorin over offences bordering on internet fraud. Specifically, he posed as a white lady, an online prostitute to scam one Wilson (a white man) to the tune of $100 US Dollars in order to offer him sex. The court, on June 21, 2021 found him guilty and sentenced him to one-year imprisonment each on the two counts preferred against him, to run concurrently with option of fine of N200,000 on each count. Upon conviction, Oyeyemi, through his counsel, A. T Smith, returned to court with a fundamental rights charge against the EFCC. He claimed that, moment after his sentencing by the court; he was forcefully bundled away by operatives of the Commission in a gestapo manner and driven to the Ilorin Zonal Command Office of the agency, where he alleged that he was unlawfully detained for three hours. He also claimed that the operatives forcefully put placard on his chest with the inscription: "Alleged Case of Internet Fraud", which mug-shot was taken and uploaded on the Commission's website. The applicant asked for order of court awarding N10million damages against the EFCC and cause the Commission to tender public apology for infringing on his fundamental rights. The EFCC, in response through her counsel, Aliyu Adebayo, argued that the mug-shot in question was taken on March 16, 2020, and not on June 21, 2021 when the applicant was convicted. He also submitted that putting the picture of the applicant in Commission's website after he was convicted did not constitute any abuse to the applicant's fundamental rights, saying that the Commission acted within the law. He urged the court to dismiss the application on the ground that the applicant was never arrested nor detained by the Commission as alleged by the applicant. In dismissing the suit, Justice Oyinloye while agreeing with submission of the respondent's counsel, held that, from the exhibit "C" presented by the applicant's counsel, it was clear that the mug-shot which constituted the crux of the application was dated March 16, 2020, which was the day of the applicant's arrest and not on the date he was convicted. The judge observed the use of unprintable and foul language by counsel to the applicant, A. T Smith, against the respondent's counsel, in his affidavit and written address and frowned at it. On a whole, the judge considered the application as unmeritorious and "gold-digging" in nature, and accordingly dismissed it. The press release contains a photo: ex-convict-oyeyemi-loses-rights-suit-against-efcc ************************************ 1 APR 2022 Internet Fraudster Bags Five Years Jail in Benin Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City on Thursday, March 31, 2022, convicted and sentenced Samson Obademi to five years imprisonment for fraud. Obademi was arraigned on one count charge of impersonation by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC. The charge against him reads, "that you Samson Obademi (M) sometime between January and 23rd April 2021 at Owo, Ondo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of Steven Sammy, an American with intent to obtain money and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (ii) of Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) (iv) of the same Act". Upon arraignment the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, K. U. Udus prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. However, the defence counsel, O.J Semudara urged the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant has become remorseful for his action. Justice Shuaibu convicted and sentenced the defendant to five years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300, 000) fine. In addition, the defendant shall forfeit his mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake in writing to be of good behavior henceforth. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: internet-fraudster-bags-five-years-jail-in-benin **************************************** 31 MAR 2022 Court Sends Two Internet Fraudsters to Prison in Benin Two Internet fraudsters, Kelvin Ehimen Okonedo and Godwill Jacob were on Thursday March 31, 2022, convicted and sentenced to prison by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City. The duo were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on one count charge of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. One of the defendants, Kelvin Okonedo fraudulently impersonated Kelvin Richard, an American soldier by sending his pictures to unsuspecting Korean ladies through the internet with the intent to defrauding them. On his part, Jacob claimed to be Chen Changchun, a Korean, to defraud unsuspecting victims. Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Austin Ozigbu, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants in accordingly. Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Okonedo to four years imprisonment or a fine of N300,000. Okonedo is to forfeit the sum of Nine Hundred and Twenty Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty Seven Naira (N927, 927) being balance in his bank account to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Jacob bagged five years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000. Both defendants are to forfeit their phones and undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: court-sends-two-internet-fraudsters-to-prison-in-benin ******************************************** 31 MAR 2022 Fraudster Bags Two Years for Internet Fraud in Port Harcourt Justice S. D. PAM of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State have convicted and sentenced one Joseph Ajilo to two years jail term in prison on one count charge of impersonation. The charge reads, "That you Joseph Ajilo Igben on or about the 10th of November, 2021 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated one Amber Mounday with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prevention, Prohibition, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under the same Act". He pleaded "guilty" to the charge preferred against him by the EFCC. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, C. O. Oni, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Justice Pam convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years in prison, with an option of fine of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000.00) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He also ordered that the convict should forfeit the proceeds of crime and one Tecno Camon 12 phone used in committing the offence to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Judge also said that the convict shall restitute the victim Four Thousand Five Hundred United States Dollars ($4,500). Ajilo's journey to the Correctional Service started when he was arrested sometimes in November 2021 by officers of the Commission, at Ada George area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State for internet fraud activities. Investigation shows that the convict had been involved in internet fraud with several scam documents on his phone. It was also revealed that the convict owns and operates a fake email address with the name ambermounday96@gmail.com and uses his Hangouts user name Amber Mounday in chatting with his victims, Bruce Williams and Tom .W. Miller. Further investigation proved that Igben deceived his victims into believing that he could help them turn around their funds through Bitcoin trading. The victims believed and invested a total of Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($4,500) but were left high and dry by the defendant. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: fraudster-bags-two-years-for-internet-fraud-in-port-harcourt ***************************************** 31 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests 24 Internet Fraud Suspects in Asaba Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Zonal Command, on Thursday March 31, 2022, arrested 24 persons for alleged internet fraud. They were arrested at their hideout in Asaba, Delta State following actionable intelligence. The suspects are Obikolu Lawrence Chukwuemeka, Ezennabuike Daniel, Emmanuel Favour, Efemenam Ifeanyi, Andrew Martin Udeorah, Anozie Ugochukwu, Oziegbe Famous, Onalugbum Ekene, Nonso Nwakor, Gabriel Igelije and Paul Enakeno. Others are Chigbo Kanayo Stephen, Chinedu Emejon, Nwabueze Arinze, Harrison Chukwuji and Chinonso Jude Emejom. Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include two Toyota Camry, Mercedes Benz car, Laptops and mobile phones. The suspects have made useful statements and will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release includes photos: efcc-arrests-24-internet-fraud-suspects-in-asaba ************************************* 31 MAR 2022 Three Internet Fraudsters Convicted in Ibadan An Oyo Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, on March 30, 2022, convicted and sentenced three internet fraudsters for their involvement in fraudulent cyber activities after they pleaded "guilty" to the separate charges preferred against them by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The convicts are Ojelakin Yinka Oluwaseun, Adebayo Fawaz Gbolahan and Ehis Hopkins Esezobor were prosecuted on charges of fraudulent impersonation contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. Justice Agomoh sentenced Ojelakin to two years imprisonment, Esezobor to eight months and Adebayo to five months jail term. The court further ordered that the convicts restitute their victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains photos of all three 419ers: three-internet-fraudsters-convicted-in-ibadan'Tom Cruise' Convicted In Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of an internet fraudster, Etegene Japheth,to six months imprisonment before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offence court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. Japheth was arraigned on a one count amended charge bordering on possession of documents containing false pretence. The charge reads: "Etegene Japheth (aka Mr. Tim Graw and Tom Cruise), on or about the 16th day of February 2022 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession several documents containing false pretences, one of which is a record of your conversation with several unsuspecting victims via your email address tomcruise3705@gmail.com, wherein you represented yourself as Mr. Tim Graw and Tom Cruise in order to obtain gift cards and money from them, a representation you knew was false." He pleaded "guilty" to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Blessing John, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered in evidence the statement of the defendant as well as the bundle of fraudulent documents printed out from the iPhone 12 recovered from him. The prosecution counsel also prayed that he be convicted and sentenced accordingly. Justice Taiwo admitted them in evidence as exhibits A and B, and pronounced him guilty as charged. He was, thereafter, sentenced to six months imprisonment, with an option of N200,000 fine. The convict was ordered to also forfeit all items recovered from him to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release includes a photo of the 419er: tom-cruise-convicted-in-lagos ********************************** 30 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests 80 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ibadan, 40 in Enugu Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested eighty (80) suspects for alleged internet- related activities in Ibadan, Oyo State. Forty (40) other suspects were arrested by operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Commission for the same suspected offences. They were all arrested based on verified intelligence linking them with fraudulent internet activities. Incriminating documents were found in 35 of the 80 suspects arrested in Ibadan and they are: Victor Abumere, Kehinde Samuel, Adedeji Ibrahim Olamilekan, Akinbowale Emmanuel, Taiwo Azeez, Adenuga Sunday, Sidiku Olubodun, Ekhuemelo Jerry, Agboola Khalid Babatunde, Alex Kelvin, Akande Jonah, Tobiloba Adekanye, Fatai Olalekan T., Giwa Babatunde David and Emmanuel Victor Mayowa. Others are: Taofeek Toheeb Olamilekan, Olamilekan Fafilolu Quadri, Olayinka Taiwo Olaniyi, Emmanuel Abiodun Olalekan, Awoleke Opeyemi Uthman, Ikenna Anyanwu Victor, Mosuro Daniel Oluwaseun, Amoo Abdulmalik Ademola, Oluwaseun Adeniran, Kehinde Kehinde Olatunji, Bakare Kayode Augustine, Okoli Propser, Kolawole Blessing, Okeolu Moshood, and Hammed Khalid Ayomide. The rest are: Hassan Waris Ademola, Taiwo Ademola, Adewale Ayomiposi, Abdullahi Maleek Olaniyi, Masika Adekunle Andrew. The suspects were arrested in various locations in Ibadan, Oyo State and items recovered from them include: thirteen (13) exotic cars, three (3) motor bikes and mobile phones and laptops of different brands. The 40 suspects arrested on March 29 and 30, 2022 in Enugu are: Chimezie Onyegwa, Chukwuebuka Jamespaul, Adams Nengi, Chibua Emmanuel. Mmoh Henry, Kingsly Obinna, Francis Alex, Nelson Chidiebere, Paschal Eze, Eke Emmanuel, Ezeme Johnpaul , Aroh Kenneth, Ugwu Darlington , Chukwuemeka Collins and Ejielo Ifeanyi Others are: Justin Obidiwe, Chibuike Henry, Chukwuemeka Okafor, Osodiuru Prince, Nwachukwu Steven, kelekchukwu Ugwu, Ugwuoke Victor, Udeh Victor, Ekata Endurance, Ukpabi Evidence, Eze Obinna, Amobi Eya, Victor Joshua, Gabriel Noel and Chisom Ede Nnamuchi. The rest include Onwe Nnamdi,Okonkwo Somtochukwu, Nnaji Ifeanyi, Ezeagu Ifeanyi, Maduabuchi Nwangbo, Onyenamaya Tochukwu,Wisdom Solomon, Agu Chibuzor, Nwokoro Sochima and Ifeanyichukwu Miracle. They were arrested in Nsukka, and the Premier Layout Axis of Enugu, Enugu State following verified intelligence linking them with suspected internet- related offences. Items recovered from them are, three cars, mobile phones and laptops of various brands and other incriminating documents. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release contains photos: efcc-arrests-80-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-ibadan-40-in-enugu ****************************************** 30 MAR 2022 Another Four Cybercriminals Jailed by Oyo Court The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of four cyber fraudsters before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State. Kareem Faisol Iretiayo, Olusola Johnson Alawode, Alli Isaac Adeniyi and Adekunle Salau Kehinde were convicted after pleading guilty to separate counts which bordered on fraudulent impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, Justice Agomoh sentenced Alli to eight months imprisonment; Adekunle, ten months imprisonment; Kareem, six months and Alawode five months imprisonment. Also, the court ordered that Alli forfeit one 2010 model Mercedes-Benz ML 350, one Gold Chain, one iPhone 12 Pro Max, one Nokia 3.4 mobile phone, 0.15757655 worth of Bitcoin and the sum of N33, 497. 59 (Thirty Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira Fifty Nine Kobo) to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Adekunle was ordered to restitute the sum of $3,000USD (Three Thousand United States Dollars) and forfeit one iPhone 11 Pro and the sum of N33, 083. 19 (Thirty Three Thousand, Eighty Three Naira, Nineteen kobo) to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Furthermore, Kareem was ordered to restitute $2,300USD (Two Thousand, Three Hundred United States Dollars), and forfeit one itel phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Alawode was ordered to pay the sum of N150, 000. 00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) in restitution and forfeit one Lexus E350, one HP Laptop, one iPhone X and Techno Spark mobile phones to the Federal government of Nigeria. The press release contains photos of the 419ers: another-four-cybercriminals-jailed-by-oyo-court ****************************************** 30 MAR 2022 Dog Seller Bags Two Years Imprisonment for Cyber-Fraud in Ilorin Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court, Ilorin on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 convicted and sentenced one Omoteji Tomiwa Stephen, who deals in dogs, to two years imprisonment, having found him guilty of a two-count charge bordering on impersonation to obtain leveled against him by Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Omoteji, 23, from Egbe in Yaba West Local Government Area of Kogi State allegedly posed as one Michael Gregory vide a gmail account linked to his hangouts account with intent to obtain a sum of $2000 (Two Thousand US Dollars) from one Sierra B. Price, an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (11) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (iv) of the same Act. Count one of the charge reads: "That you, Omoteji Tomiwa Stephen (Alias: Micheal Gregory) sometime in September, 2021 at Kwara State, within the judicial division of the Federal High Court, did fraudulently impersonate one Micheal Gregory vide your chats using Gmail; fsgfdrtr.56r5tgf@gmail.com linked to your Hangouts number 765-396-8539 with the intent to obtain and did obtain the sum of $2000 (Two Thousand US Dollars) from one Sierra B. Price and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 22(2) (b) (11) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (iv) of the same Act." The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Upon his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Andrew Akoja, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered the fraudulent messages printed from the defendant's device, one iPhone 12 Pro Max, HP laptop and one Toyota Corolla 2008 car, which were admitted in evidence. Akoja prayed the court to hold that the prosecution had successfully linked the defendant to the charge and convict him as charged. In his judgment, Justice Sani sentenced Omoteji to one year imprisonment on each of the two counts, which would run concurrently with an option of fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on each count. The j udge also ordered the forfeiture of the convict's iPhone 12 Pro Max, HP Laptop and a 2008 Toyota Corolla car to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Additionally, Justice Sani ordered the convict to restitute the sum of $100 (One Hundred US Dollars), which he benefited from the crime. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: dog-seller-bags-two-years-imprisonment-for-cyber-fraud-in-ilorin ********************************************* 29 MAR 2022 Yahoo Boy's Mother Jailed Five Years in Benin Debest Osarumwense, mother of Endurance Osarumwense, an internet fraudster was on Tuesday March 29, 2022, sentenced to five years imprisonment by Justice M. S. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City. Debest was arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission on a one count charge for aiding her son to receive the sum of N91,296,150.00, proceeds of his criminal activities. The charge against her reads: "that you, Debest Osarumwense (f) sometime between 2nd January 2020 and December 2021 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did take possession of the total sum of N91,296,150.00(Ninety One Million, Two Hundred and Ninety-six Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Naira) knowing that same represent proceeds of Endurance Osarumwense (your son) criminal conduct to wit: cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17(b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment) Act 2004". Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty. In view of her plea, the prosecution counsel, I. K.Agwai prayed the court to convict and sentence her accordingly. Justice Shuaibu convicted and sentenced the defendant to five years imprisonment with option of N1 million fine. She is also to forfeit the balance in her bank account to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of the convict: yahoo-boy-s-mother-jailed-five-years-in-benin ******************************** 29 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests Suspect on FBI Wanted-List in Enugu The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested Emmanuel Dike Chidiebere, a suspect on the watch list of the American Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, for conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering. Acting on verified intelligence, operatives of the Commission on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, tracked the suspect to Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State where he was arrested. Chidiebere is alleged to have defrauded some victims in America, Cote D’Ivoire and Poland of some undisclosed amount of money and went underground. Three of his accomplices are still at large. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-suspect-on-fbi-wanted-list-in-enugu ************************************ 29 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests Six Internet Fraud Suspects in Enugu Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday March 29, 2022, arrested six suspected internet fraudsters. The suspects, Anthony Chimezie, Ezenwaji Chinecherem, Nebo Chisom, Ndubuisi Chukwuebuka, Danyl Kosisochukwu and Ewo Williams were all arrested at Mankind Street, Ugwuaji, Enugu based on verified intelligence. Preliminary investigations linked them with suspected impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents and defrauding unsuspecting foreign nationals. Items recovered from the suspects include 12 mobile phones, 3 laptops and other incriminating documents. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release includes photos: efcc-arrests-six-internet-fraud-suspects-in-enugu ************************************* 29 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests 11 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Kano The Kano Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested 11 suspected internet fraudsters. The suspects, Adams Adams Aliyu, Vincent Ellah Sunday, Audu Gabriel, Isah M. Isah, Usman Abdulmumin, Gift Itopa Edward, Joseph C. Ugeh, Sunny O. West, Babajide Usman, Mustapha Muhammed and Babadoke Peter were arrested in a sting operation in Kano, following credible intelligence on their involvement in cyber-related crimes. Five (5) exotic cars, mobile phones and laptops were recovered from the suspects. They will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-11-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-kano *********************************** 29 MAR 2022 Internet Fraudster Bags Jail Term in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of an internet fraudster, Abioye Gabriel, to six months imprisonment before Justice Oluwatoyin A. Taiwo of the Special Offence court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. Gabriel was arraigned today on a one-count charge bordering on possession of documents containing false pretence. The charge reads reads: "That you, Abioye Gabriel Oluwafemi, on or about 15th February 2022, at Lagos, within the Ikeja jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with the intent to defraud, had in your possession a bundle of documents containing fraudulent chats and committed an offence contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State." He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Blessing John, reviewed the facts of the case and prayed that he be convicted and sentenced accordingly. Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced him to six months imprisonment, with an option of fine in the sum of N200,000.00(Two Hundred Thousand Naira). The convict was ordered to also forfeit all items recovered from him to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: internet-fraudster-bags-jail-term-in-lagos-3 ********************************** 29 MAR 2022 Oyo Court Jails Two for Internet Fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Command on Monday 28, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of the duo of Ojo Gbenga Stephen and Emekhe Michael Ese before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State on one count charge each for impersonation. The charge against Ojo reads: "That you, Ojo Gbenga Stephen sometime in May, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate one Susan James from the United States of America with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015." The charge against Ese reads: "That you, Emekhe Michael Ese sometimes in 2021 at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, knowingly impersonated one Robert Anderson, when you falsely represented yourself to be a white woman, Giseli Dammer in order to gain advantage for yourself contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.)Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the same Act, 2015." Prosecution counsel, Sanusi Galadanchi after the defendants’ pleas prayed the court to convict and sentence them as he reviewed the facts of the cases. Justice Agomoh thereafter convicted and sentenced Ojo to nine months imprisonment and Ese to five months imprisonment. She further ordered that Ojo restitute the sum of N850, 000.00 (Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) to his victim while Ese was to pay $700USD (Seven Hundred United States Dollars) in restitution and forfeit one white coloured iPhone X and a grey coloured Samsung A32 to the Federal government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: oyo-court-jails-two-for-internet-fraud ************************************ 28 MAR 2022 Become Change Agents, Bawa urges Nigerian Youths The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, has called on members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, to serve as change agents by shunning all acts of corruption and economic and financial crimes. He gave the charge on Monday, March 28, 2022 in Lagos State, while addressing Corps members at the NYSC Orientation camp at Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos. According to him "As young Nigerians, the EFCC expects you to align yourselves with the anti-corruption war by being change agents and whistle blowers wherever you find yourselves by reporting acts that fail the simple test of integrity." Bawa, who spoke through DCE Ayo Oyewole Head, Public Affairs Directorate of the EFCC in the Lagos Zonal Command, urged the corps members to make positive impact in their primary places of assignment, adding that "It is no use lamenting that things are not right with our country. We are inviting you to lend a hand in helping us to build a society where there is respect for law and order and where impunity is a thing of the past." Also speaking in Kwara State, Bawa has enjoined corps members to join the Commission in its efforts to rid the country of corruption by becoming anti-graft foot soldiers in any place they find themselves, especially in their place of primary assignment. He said that they can blow the whistle by reporting acts that fail the simple test of integrity, instead of lamenting that things are not right with the country. His admonition was contained in a message entitled, "EFCC And The Role of Youths in Curbing Cybercrime", delivered on his behalf on Monday, March 28, 2022 by Head, Public Affairs Department of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Commission, Ayodele Babatunde, for 2022 Batch A Stream II corps members at the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, Orientation Camp, Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area, Kwara State. While urging the youth to imbibe the virtue of integrity and hard work, the EFCC boss reminded them that there is no shortcut to wealth and fame. "The fact that the rate of unemployment is high should not be an excuse to resort to crimes. Acts of criminality might deliver wealth in the short term, but ultimately there will be misery and gnashing of teeth", he said. In Delta State, Bawa charged corps members to be good examples in conduct and character if they are to actualize their dreams as future leaders. The EFCC boss stated this at the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp, Isse Uku, Delta State. The EFCC boss who was represented by Williams Oseghale, Head of Public Affairs, Benin Zonal Command urged the corps members to shun acts of corruption and economic crimes. "There is no short cut to wealth and fame. The fact that the rate of unemployment is high should not be an excuse to resort to crime. Acts of criminality might deliver wealth in the short term but ultimately there will be misery and gnashing of teeth." In a similar message delivered by Chika Uneke, an officer of the Commission at the NYSC Camp, Okada, Edo State. He warned the corps members to shun internet fraud as it was capable of truncating their desirable future. At the Magaji Dan Yamusa NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Keffi, Nasarrawa State Bawa, who was represented by SE Ngoundu Nguetar of the Public Affairs Unit, Abuja Zonal Command bemoaned the effects of corruption, economic and financial crimes on our nation. He reminded the Corps members that their input as stakeholders is critical to finding a lasting solution to the problem of corruption. He charged the Corps members to be role models and shun all forms of corruption, especially cybercrime also known as 'yahoo-yahoo'. Similar messages were presented at orientation camps across the country. The press release includes a photo: become-change-agents-bawa-urges-nigerian-youths ************************************** 28 MAR 2022 75 Alleged Yahoo Boys Arrested in Owerri Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 75 suspected internet fraudsters in separate sting operations in Owerri, Imo State. The Abuja Zonal Command arrested 46 suspects on Monday, March 28, 2022, for alleged involved in computer-related fraud at different locations in Owerri, the Imo State capital. The suspects who are mainly students and job seekers between the ages of 18 to 31 years were apprehended after superior intelligence was received on the nefarious activities of the young men. Upon their arrest 6 cars, various phones and laptops of different makes were recovered from them. In a related development, Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Commission on Friday, 25th March, 2022 arrested twenty-nine (29) suspected internet fraudsters, at several hideouts in Nekede Road and Owerri Axis of Imo State but incriminating items were found on seventeen of the suspects. They were all arrested based on verified intelligence reports linking them with alleged fraudulent activities ranging from love scam on numerous dating sites, impersonation, and possession of fraudulent documents, picker and bitcoin scam. The suspects are Samuel Patrick, Brima Edegba, Kingsley Williams, Audu Emeka, David Godson, Alex James, Prince Akachukwu Nkemjika, Chidi Eze, Kizito Emenyonu, Wisdom Handsome Chibuenyim, Chibuike Mbonu, Christian Sorochi, Victory Oparanozie, Uche Alex, Kingsley Eke, Collins Williams and Charles Iwu. Items recovered from them at the point of arrest, include foreign currencies, Toyota Avalon, 2 Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla 2004 Model, Lexus ES 350, Mercedes ML 350, Lexus RS 350, and Toyota Venza. Others are fifty-eight phones (58) of different brands, eight laptops, one driver's licence and six ATM Cards. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release includes photos: 75-alleged-yahoo-boys-arrested-in-owerri *************************************** 28 MAR 2022 Internet Fraud Kingpin Bags 2 Years in Port Harcourt Justice A. T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced one Japheth Tallick Friday to two years imprisonment for impersonation contrary to section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prevention, Prohibition, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act. He was convicted upon an arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Command on March 22, 2022 on one count Charge. The lone count reads: "That you Japheth Tallick Friday on or about the 23rd September, 2021, at Port Harcourt did fraudulently impersonates Chris Dent with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prevention, Prohibition, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act". He pleaded "guilty" to the charge preferred against him. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, N. A. Dodo prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of One Million Naira (N1, 000,000.00) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The judge also ordered that a Toyota Corolla 2009 Model (RGM 05RG), 55 inch Hisense TV, HP Laptop, one Blue iPhone 12, one gold coloured iPhone, one blue hard drive and one gold chain which are proceeds of crime be forfeited to the Federal Government through the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, or any other person (s) authorized by him in line with Section 31 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2004 and proceeds paid into the EFCC Recovery Account domiciled in Central Bank of Nigeria. Additionally, the defendant shall undertake to be of good behaviour henceforth. Friday's journey to the Correctional Centre started when the Commission received intelligence report on the activities of some internet fraudsters around Eagle Island, Port Harcourt, Rivers. The convict was arrested in a sting operation on the 10th of November, 2021 at Elder Wobo Apara Street, Eagle Island, Port Harcourt. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: internet-fraud-kingpin-bags-2-years-in-port-harcourt ************************************** 25 MAR 2022 EFCC Docks Indian for N70m Dud Cheque … Secures Conviction of Two Nigerians for Cybercrime in Ibadan [419 Coaition has redacted the dud-cheque portion of the press release, as it is not relevant to 419 Advance Fee Fraud. The 419 relevant section follows] ...the EFCC on March 23, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Osinuga Oluwa Adeyemi and Musa Lanre Dauda before Justices Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court and Sherifat Adeyemi of the State Hihg Court, both sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on separate one count charge each which bordered on cybercrime. The convicts pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against them. Consequently, Adeyemi was convicted and sentenced to five months imprisonment while Dauda bagged six months community service. Also, the convicts were ordered to restitute their victims as well as forfeit all items recovered from them by the EFCC. efcc-docks-indian-for-n70m-dud-cheque-secures-conviction-of-two-nigerians-for-cybercrime-in-ibadan **************************************************** 25 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests 29 Internet Fraud Suspects in Port Harcourt Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Office on Friday, March 25, 2022 arrested twenty-nine (29) suspected internet fraudsters, at several hideouts in Nekede Road and Owerri Axis of Imo State but incriminating items were found on seventeen of them. They were arrested based on verified intelligence reports linking them with alleged fraudulent activities ranging from love scam on numerous dating sites, impersonation, and possession of fraudulent documents, picker and bitcoin scam. The suspects are Samuel Patrick, Brima Edegba, Kingsley Williams, Audu Emeka, David Godson, Alex James, Prince Akachukwu Nkemjika, Chidi Eze, Kizito Emenyonu, Wisdom Handsome Chibuenyim, Chibuike Mbonu, Christian Sorochi, Victory Oparanozie, Uche Alex, Kingsley Eke, Collins Williams and Charles Iwu. Items recovered from them include cash in foreign currencies, eight exotic cars ( a Toyota Avalon, 2 Toyota Camry cars, a Corolla 2004 Model, Lexus ES 350, Mercedes ML 350, Lexus RS 350, Toyota Venza), fifty-eight phones (58) of different brands, eight laptops, one driver's licence and six ATM Cards. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release includes photos: EFCC Arrests 29 Internet Fraud Suspects in Port Harcourt ******************************************* 24 MAR 2022 Fugitive Fraudster Bags 14 Years In Enugu Justice I.M Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu has convicted and sentenced Chinedu Ayogu Christopher to 14 years imprisonment on internet- related offences. Christopher was arraigned on January 25, 2021, on two- count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretences and cybercrimes One of the counts reads:, "that you Chinedu Ayogu Christopher (Alias Austin Leo), sometime in August 2020 at Enugu within the jurisdiction of this court was in possession of a document containing a false pretence knowing that what the document contained was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act". The defendant jumped bail after his arraignment and after three adjournments, in accordance with Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Justice Buba adjourned the matter to September 30, 2021 for adoption of a final written address by the prosecution. The Judge on February 10 ,2022 found the defendant guilty, convicted him in absentia and ordered that a bench warrant earlier issued against him, be executed and the convict brought before the court for sentencing. Christopher was re-arrested on March 11, 2022 and presented before the court on Wednesday, March 23,2022. Justice Buba sentenced him to seven years imprisonment each on the two counts. The sentences are to run concurrently. The convict's journey to the Correctional Centre began in 2020 when he was arrested by operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC on alleged cybercrimes. He was charged to court and eventually convicted. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: fugitive-fraudster-bags-14-years-in-enugu ***************************************** 24 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests 11 Alleged Internet Fraudsters in Benin Eleven suspected internet fraudsters were on Thursday morning arrested by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at their hideout in Benin City. The suspects are Aguebor Osabuohie, Omonefe Endurance, Orome Collins, Eghaghe Etiosa, Amogie Julius, Otsu Destiny, Ehiguese Odiase, Clifford Otsu, Osagie Ohoro, John Ogbodo and Udoh Godspower. Items recovered from them include three vehicles: Lexus RX330, Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Venza; Laptops and mobile phones. The suspects have made useful statements and will be arraigned in court soon. The press release includes photos: efcc-arrests-11-alleged-internet-fraudsters-in-benin ********************************** 24 MAR 2022 Two Internet Fraudsters Convicted In Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of an internet fraudster, Eruvwetaghware Hossana, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. Hosanna 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, to which he pleaded guilty. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Godsent Akhanolu, while reviewing the facts of the case, told the court that Hosanna was arrested on March 8, 2022, at Ogombo, Sangotedo area of Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the Commission about his involvement in computer-related fraud. He further told the court that the convict confessed to being involved in fraudulent activities through which he defrauded several unsuspecting victims of their money. Akhanolu tendered the extra-judicial statements of the convict, the several fraudulent documents printed out of his device as well as other items recovered from him. He, therefore, prayed the court to sentence him accordingly. Justice Dada pronounced him guilty as charged and sentenced him one year imprisonment, with an option of fine in the sum of N500,000.00 ( Five Hundred Thousand) in lieu of his jail term. In a related development, Justice O.O.A. Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja Lagos has sentenced one Adedayo Adewale to six months imprisonment over a one-count charge of possession of documents containing false pretence. The offence is contrary to Section 6, 8(b) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. . He pleaded guilty to the offence. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima, reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to sentence him accordingly. Justice Fadipe convicted and sentenced him to six months imprisonment, with an option of fine in the sum of N250,000.00(Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira). The press release contains a photo of the two 419ers: two-internet-fraudsters-convicted-in-lagos ************************************ 23 MAR 2022 Court Convicts Three Cyber Fraudsters in Oyo An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 convicted and sentenced three internet fraudsters on one count amended charge which bordered on obtaining money by false pretence and impersonation. The convicts who were prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, are Abiodun Olamide, Oparemi Ayomide James and Olaitan Waheed. They pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against them by the agency. Subsequently, the prosecution counsel, Shamsuddeen Bashir, urged the court to convict and sentence them as charged. Justice Sherifat Adeyemi convicted and sentenced Abiodun and Oparemi to five months community service each, while Olaitan bagged four months community service. She further ordered that the convicts restitute their respective victims and forfeit all items recovered from them by the EFCC to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains photos of all three 419ers: court-convicts-three-cyber-fraudsters-in-oyo ************************************** 23 MAR 2022 Court Jails Another Two Internet Fraudsters In Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of an internet fraudster, Michael Jackson, a.k.a. Ella-Ellywood, before Justice Tijani G. Ringim of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. Justice Ringim sentenced the convict to three months imprisonment on March 21, 2022 who was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on impersonation contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) Of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) Act 2015. He pleaded guilty to the offence. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, A. R. Alabi, reviewed the facts before of the case. Alabi told the court that Michael Jackson, was arrested on January 25, 2022, following credible intelligence received by the commission on the illegal activities of some individuals allegedly involved in computer fraud. "Jackson poses as Ella, a transgender woman, and defrauded unsuspecting victims of millions of Naira. The convict who is also a DJ had in his possession fetish items which he claimed was for success", he said. He also tendered the following ; One iPhone 11 Pro; one Mack Book; one Hp Laptop; One 4Runner Toyota Jeep; one Honda Accord, the defendant's extra-judicial statements and several fraudulent documents printed out of the defendant’s device. These exhibits were admitted by the court. Alabi further prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. Justice Ringim pronounced him guilty as charged and convicted him accordingly. The Judge also ordered the forfeiture of the items recovered from the convict to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: court-jails-another-two-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos ***************************************** 23 MAR 2022 Five Internet Fraudsters Convicted in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of five internet fraudsters, who were arraigned on separate one-count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents, to two years imprisonment each before Justice Yellin S. Bogoro of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. The convicts are: Surajudeen Mujeeb, Aderibigbe Aliyu and Nurudeen Ayomide Kazeem. They were arrested following intelligence report about the activities of a syndicate of internet fraudsters involved in computer-related fraud in different parts of Lagos State. Upon their arraignment sometime, they pleaded guilty to the offence. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, K.E Uduak, reviewed the facts before the court, while praying that they be convicted as charged. Justice Bogoro found them guilty and sentenced them accordingly. The Judge also granted the convicts an option of fine in the sum of Two Million Naira (N2, 000, 000. 00) each, and also ordered that all items recovered from them be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. In a related development, Justice Tijani G. Ringim convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters Hassan Mubarak and Joshua Eroguaye. While Hassan Mubarak was sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of fine in the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000. 00), Joshua Eroguaye got a prison sentence of two months with community service. The convicts were charged on separate one-count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent document. They pleaded guilty to the offence. The prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari Bala (Mrs.), therefore, reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to find them guilty of the offence and sentence accordingly. five-internet-fraudsters-convicted-in-lagos-2 ******************************************* 22 MAR 2022 Court Jails Three Internet Fraudsters In Ibadan Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State has convicted and sentenced three internet fraudsters to various jail terms. The convicts are Toheed Busayo Tiamiyu,(a.k.a Avolos Scott), Soliu Adewole Ijiola (a.k.a Gracelyn Parley) and Aberuagba Gafar Oladimeji. (a.k.a John Williams). While Tiamiyu was sentenced to fourteen months imprisonment, Ijiola bagged five months jail term and Oladimeji was sentenced to eight months imprisonment. They were all arraigned on one-count charge bordering on fraudulent impersonation. Specifically, the trio used false identities to defraud unsuspecting foreign nationals. The lone charge against Tiamiyu read: "That you Toheed Busayo Tiamiyu (a.k.a Avolos Scott, Smith Sadra, Kammerlinder Sandra) on or about the 14th of February, 2019,at Ibadan within the Ibadan Judicial Division of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated one Avolos Scott with intent to gain monetary advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(i)of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the same Act". The defendants pleaded guilty to the charge prompting prosecution counsel, Abdulrasheed Lanre Suleman, to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Agomoh sentenced Tiamiyu to fourteen months imprisonment, Ijiola five months jail term and Oladimeji eight months imprisonment. Tiamiyu was ordered to restitute a total sum of $810USD (Eight Hundred and Ten United States Dollars) to his victim: Jessica Rowley through the EFCC and to also forfeit his blue Infinix Hot 8 Lite phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Justice Agomoh also ordered Ijiola to restitute a total sum of $1,000USD (One Thousand United States Dollars) to his victim through the EFCC and to also forfeit one black- coloured Lexus ES350 car, as well as one black-coloured iPhone 11 phone to the Federal government of Nigeria. Also, Oladimeji would restitute a total sum of $500USD (Five Hundred United States Dollars) to his victim: Marily Layton through the EFCC and to also forfeit his iPhone 12 phone to the Government. The convicts' journey to the Correctional Centre started when operatives of the EFCC arrested them for using identities of foreigners to defraud both their local and foreign victims. The press relase contains a grouped photo of the three 419ers: court-jails-three-internet-fraudsters-in-ibadan ************************************* 22 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests 33 Internet Fraud Suspects Operatives of the Lagos and Enugu Zonal Commands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, arrested 33 internet fraud suspects in separate sting operation. Seventeen of the suspects were arrested in Lagos while 16 others were nabbed at Enugu. The 17 suspects arrested in Lagos are Adefila Ayobami Ezekiel, Anamene Somtochukwu, Nzeako Kosisochukwu Anthony, Afolabi Ayomide Henry, Olatona Ayodeji Ebenezer, Obioho Ikenna Raphael, Famolayo Femi Hammed, Mintah-Joshua Oluwafemi, Martins Victor Onuoha, Babatunde Haruna Oluwaseyi, Taiwo Bolaji Kehinde, Ibeakolam Goodluck, Onaolapo Iyanu Samuel, Jamiu Damilola Lawal, Adeyanju Fawaz, AdejideSamuel and Obioho Obinna. They were arrested in an Estate around the Ikota axis of Lagos following credible intelligence received by the Commission on the illegal activities of some individuals allegedly involved in computer fraud. Upon their arrest, 6 exotic vehicles, laptops and mobile devices were recovered from them. The 16 suspected fraudsters arrested in Enugu were apprehended at Premier Layout axis of Enugu. The suspects are Ovu Chimezie, Junior Gentle Pepple, Nwoye Paul, Ezeoke Chimelue, Innocent Kenechukwu, Tochukwu Igbonekwu, Chigozie Oguanya,Nwachukwu Daniel and Charles Duru Chibuzor. Others are Anderson D. Ugochukwu , Chinedu Nwasu, Obiora Martin Ugonna, Nwabueze Chidindu, Nwabueze Samuel Nnaemeka, Okechukwu Collins.D and Nwabueze Benjamin Ikenna. Preliminary investigation links them with suspected impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents and defrauding unsuspecting foreign nationals. Items recovered from the suspects include one Lexus ES350 with registration number EPE113 HB , a Mercedes Benz E350 with registration number RSH 201 BP , another Mercedes Benz with registration number UWN 338 MP and one Toyota Camry with registration number JRV 944 KL; and several phones and laptops. The suspects will be charged to Court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-33-internet-fraud-suspects *************************************** 21 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests Seven Undergraduates For Suspected Internet Fraud in Uyo Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested seven undergraduates of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for suspected internet fraud in a sting operation. They were arrested on March 19, 2021 at their hideout along Ring Road, off Nwaniba Road, near Uniuyo permanent site. The all- male suspects are: Emmanuel Chigoziem; Ubong Innocent; Michael Ikechukwu Emekwuru; Samuel Edet Okon; Wisdom Edem; Precious Ime Oyung and Moses Simon. Items recovered from the suspects are: a Toyota Camry car; three HP laptops and phones of different brands. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-seven-undergraduates-for-suspected-internet-fraud-in-uyo *************************************** 21 MAR 2022 Mechanic, Painter, Four Others Jailed For Cybercrime in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday March 21, 2022 secured the conviction of six persons for offences bordering on cheating by personation and other internet related fraud. The convicts are: Ikudiase Olalekan Adesoji, a Mechanic who hails from Aramoko, Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State; Omilana Afeez Olamilekan, a painter from Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State; Samsondeen Oluwadamilola Okeniwun from Abeokuta in Ogun State; Bashit Akorede Ganiyu from Oshogbo in Osun State; Sikiru Mustapha who claimed to be a sex entertainer living in the United States of America and Oladele Fawaz Olakanmi, a Tailor who hails from Oshogbo, Osun State. They were convicted and sentenced to various jail terms by Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court, Ilorin, having found them guilty of the charges levelled against them by the EFCC. The defendants were arraigned before the court on separate charges, to which they pleaded guilty. Following the guilty entered by the defendants, Sesan Ola and Andrew Akoja who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the EFCC reviewed the facts of the cases. They tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, phones and laptops recovered from them, one Toyota Camry Car, and fraudulent messages printed from their devices, which were admitted in evidence. The prosecuting counsel prayed to uphold the cases of the prosecution and pronounced them guilty as charged. Justice Sani in his judgement found merit in the cases and pronounced the defendants guilty as charged. The Judge sentenced Ikudiasi to one year imprisonment with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). He ordered that a 2008 Toyota Camry Car which he purchased with the proceed of crime and one iPhone 11 Pro Max be forfeited to the Federal Government. Omilana bagged six months imprisonment with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). In addition, the convict is to forfeit one Android Phone and the sum of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) to the Federal Government. Beside this, Omilana was ordered to restitute the sum of N484,000 to his victims. The Court also sentenced Samsondeen to one-year imprisonment with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). IPhone XR and the sum of $585 (Five Hundred and Eighty Five Dollars) be forfeited to the Federal Government. Bashit on the other hand bagged six months imprisonment with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). The Court ordered that the iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone X,. HP Laptop and $1,050 (One Thousand, Fifty Dollars) recovered from him be forfeited to the Federal Government. Justice Sani sentenced Sikiru to six months imprisonment with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine. The convict would also forfeit one iPhone 11 which he used to perpetrate the crime and $205 (Two Hundred and Five United States Dollars) to the Federal Government. Justice Sani also sentenced Oladele to six months imprisonment with option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). The HP Laptop, iPhone 11 Pro Max which were used to perpetrate the crime and $480 (Four Hundred and Eighty Dollars) be forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains a group photo of the five 419ers: mechanic-painter-four-others-jailed-for-cybercrime-in-ilorin ********************************************* 21 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests 17 Suspected Yahoo-Yahoo Boys in Makurdi The operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday, March 19, 2022 arrested 17 internet fraud suspects known as Yahoo-Yahoo Boys, in Makurdi, Benue State. The suspects include: Samuel C., Uvande A., Joseph G., Ageva A., Emmanuel O., Ochiwu M., Dominic O, Ikpema S, Otse A. and Aondowase T. Others are, Audu-war L., Terver J., Dav J., Moses V., Abdullahi A., Agehson O., and Andoaver T. They were arrested at different locations within Makurdi following actionable intelligence on their alleged criminal activities. Items recovered from them include mobile phones, laptops, and several incriminating documents. The suspects will be arraigned in Court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release includes photos: efcc-arrests-17-suspected-yahoo-yahoo-boys-in-makurdi-2 ************************************* 18 MAR 2022 Court Sends Five to Jail for Internet Fraud in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, March 18, 2022, secured the conviction of five persons for offences bordering on internet related fraud before Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin. The convicts are: Ololade Olabisi from Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Issa Adebayo Shahajudeen, a native of Offa in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Segun Ajila Samson from Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Babatunde Olarewaju Saheed from Ilorin and Abdulmatin Olawale Akibu from Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State. Prior to their conviction, the defendants had pleaded guilty to the separate charge preferred against them by the anti-graft agency. Upon their pleas, Innocent Mbachie, Aliyu Adebayo and Andrew Akoja reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered phones, laptops, and fraudulent messages printed from defendants' device and were admitted in evidence. The prosecuting counsel urged the court to consider the facts and circumstances of the cases, the guilty pleas by the defendants, their extra judicial statements and convict them as charged. In his judgment, Justice Sani said the prosecution has established a prima-facie case against the defendants and convicted them. The judge sentenced the defendants to various jail terms, ranging from six months to one year imprisonment with option of fine. The judge also ordered that all items used as instrumentality of the crime by the convicts including phones and laptops and monies raised as restitution be forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains a group photo of all five 419ers: court-sends-five-to-jail-for-internet-fraud-in-ilorin ************************************ 18 MAR 2022 EFCC Charges Students to Steer Clear of Cyber Crimes The Kano Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE Farouq Dogondaji has charged students across the country to steer clear of cybercrimes and related offences. He gave the charge on Thursday, March 17, 2022, when students of Prime College, Kano came on an Excursion to the Kano Zonal Command of the EFCC. According to him, peer pressure and bad influences are responsible for indulgence of youths in cybercrimes and students should always choose their friends wisely and carefully. "When you get admitted into the university, you are bound to meet people with different backgrounds, when you do, try to be careful with peer advice because one of the reasons why youth engage in cybercrime, is peer advice. When you meet some people who will be telling you that you don’t need to depend on your parents, and tell you to start doing like big boys, they will eventually lure you into the activities of these cyber criminals." he said. Dogondaji further urged them to embrace hard work and avoid temptation and never resort to crime in order to make money "because in the end, you will be caught and your future will be affected by the outcome of the crime". In urging them to educate their parents about what they learnt at the EFCC, the EFCC commander implored the students to tell their loved ones to keep their personal banking details to themselves, so as not to fall victims of illegal withdrawals which is on the rise nowadays. The students were later taken around the EFCC Sections and facilities. The press release includes a photo: efcc-charges-students-to-steer-clear-of-cyber-crimes ************************************** 18 MAR 2022 Court Convicts Eight Cybercriminals in Uyo The Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday March 16, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of eight internet fraudsters before Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court, Calabar. Sunday Ifeanyi Iheanacho, Solomon Wisdom Chiagozie, Maurice Ingbe Ebiale, Ikechukwu Nzebuchi Miracle, Ahmed Sunny, Awoyugno Femi Kolade, Ikegbu Isidore Chiebuka and Uwaiwu Duke were convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment each after pleading guilty to charges bordering on criminal impersonation and obtaining by false pretense, contrary to the provisions of Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015. As a result of their guilty pleas, the prosecuting counsel Joshua .O. Abolarin prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants in line with Section 270 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). But the defence counsel, Koko Essien, Innocent .O. Eze, E.B Eton, J.J Undiandeye and Victor James pleaded for leniency and urged the court to impose fines on the defendants, instead of imprisonment. After listening to the arguments and pleas by counsel, Justice Oghoghorie convicted and sentenced all eight defendants to one year imprisonment each, with various options of fine. The court also ordered that they restitute their victims. While Ifeanyi, Wisdom, Miracle, Ebiale and Duke were given the option of N200,000 fine each; Ahmed, Kolade and Chiebuka were offered the option of N250,000 fine. The defendant were ordered to restitute their victims of sums ranging from $500, N200, 000, $4,000, N200, 000 and $1,000. The convicts were arrested on Tuesday March 1, 2022 during a sting operation at Parliamentary Extension, Calabar in Cross Rivers State. The press release contains a not really viewable group photo of all eight 419ers: court-convicts-eight-cybercriminals-in-uyo ************************************ 17 MAR 2022 EFCC Secures Four Cybercrime Convictions in Oyo The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Command, on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of four internet fraudsters before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on separate one count charge each. The convicts are: Owolabi Quadri Damilola, Okeowo Sunday Olakunle, Fidimaye Habeeb Olanrewaju and Oluwalomola Emmanuel Oluwafemi. They were arraigned for fraudulent representation, an offence which is contrary to Section 22 (2) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015. Upon their arraignment, they pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against them. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Mabas Mabur prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants as charged. Justice Agomoh thereafter, convicted and sentenced Owolabi Quadri Damilola to nine months imprisonment; Okeowo Sunday Olakunle to eight months imprisonment; Fidimaye Habeeb Olanrewaju to six months jail term, and Oluwalomola Emmanuel to five months imprisonment. The court also ordered that the convicts pay the sum of N1, 001, 457.78 (One Million, One thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Seven Naira, Seventy Eighty Kobo) and $1500 USD (One Thousand United States Dollars) in restitution. Also, one red Hyundai Velostar car, five phones and one black Series 6 Smart wristwatch were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains of small photo of each 419er: efcc-secures-four-cybercrime-convictions-in-oyo *********************************** 17 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests Church Founder Wanted By FBI for Wire Fraud in Enugu Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested Kelechi Vitalis Anozie, a suspect on the watch list of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI. He was arrested on March 10, 2022, following credible intelligence linking him to alleged conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering. Anozie and four other suspects: Valentine Iro, Ekene Ekechukwu (alias Ogedi Power), Bright Azubuike (alias Bright Bauer Azubuike) and Ifeanyi Junior, are alleged to have defrauded one F.F who lives in Illinois, United States, the sum of $135,800 US Dollars and another $47,000. Anozie is the Founder of Praying City Church located in Owerri, Imo State. The press release contains a photo: efcc-arrests-church-founder-wanted-by-fbi-for-wire-fraud-in-enugu ********************************** 17 MAR 2022 Fake America Contractor Bags Six Months Imprisonment for Cybercrime in Kwara Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin on Thursday, March 17, 2022 sentenced 24-year-old Taiwo Oluwapelumi Emmanuel from Ibadan, Oyo State to six months imprisonment for offences one-count charge bordering on impersonation. He allegedly posed as a citizen of the United States of America to defraud unsuspecting victims. The defendant was among the suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Ogbomosho area of Oyo State on October 26, 2021 during a sting operations by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC. The defendant in his various chats claimed to be a contractor and businessman based in the United States of America, a decoy he employed to swindle his victims. The charge against him reads, "That you, TAIWO OLUWAPELUMI EMMANUEL, sometime between February and March, 2021 at Ogbomosho, within the Judicial Division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, did fraudulently impersonate one David Williams George; an American, with the intent to gain advantage for yourself from one Mindy whom you chatted vide your created gmail; davidwilly1205@gmail.com and you 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 defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Based on the guilty plea entered by the defendant, counsel to the EFCC, Andrew Akoja, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered one iphone X, one Lenovo Laptop and the extra-judicial statement of the defendant as well as fraudulent messages printed from his device, which were admitted in evidence. Akoja, thereafter urged the court to convict the defendant as charged. In his judgment, Justice Sani said the court was satisfied with the evidence adduced by the prosecution and pronounced Taiwo guilty of the charge. The judge sentenced the defendants to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira only) and ordered that the iphone X and Lenovo Laptop, which he used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: fake-america-contractor-bags-six-months-imprisonment-for-cybercrime-in-kwara ************************************** 17 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests 11 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Enugu Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Command on Tuesday March 15, 2022, arrested 11 suspected internet fraudsters in the Emene axis of Enugu State. The suspects: Asikagu Chunedum; Danis Chukwueuka; Ebeye Nnamdi; Iruke Amarachukwu; Nwani Chinemerem; Okwor Ifeanyichi; Onanga Emmanuel; Onyia Peter Ifeanyi; Ude Emmanuel, Adabe Emmanuel and Ebube Nnaji Godwin were arrested based on verified intelligence by the EFCC. Preliminary investigations linked them with suspected impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents and defrauding unsuspecting foreign nationals. Items recovered from the suspects include: phones and laptops of different brands; a Toyota Camry car and a Toyota Venza car. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release includes photos: efcc-arrests-11-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-enugu ***************************************** 16 MAR 2022 Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters 10 Years Two Internet fraudsters: Enabonkpe Robert and Omorovbiye Best Osemwegie, were on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, jailed by Justice C.A Obiozor and Justice F.A Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin- City, Edo State and Asaba, Delta State respectively. They were sentenced to five years imprisonment each for internet- related crimes. Robert (alias Engineer Eric Cheng) was arraigned on one -count charge by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for fraudulent impersonation. The lone- count charge read: "That you Enabonkpe Robert (alias Engineer Eric Cheng) or about the 16th day of May, 2021 at No. 22 Police Station Road, Agenebode, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Engineer Eric Cheng, a white man, by sending the following Gmail addresses Robertbliss27@gmail.com rulemaxwell10@gmail.com and unitednationsyrial72@gmail.com and fraudulently represented yourself as a white man from California in United State of America, the representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b)(iv) of the same Act". Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Justice Obiozor convicted and sentenced the defendant to five years imprisonment with an option of fine of N 500,000 ( Five Hundred Thousand Naira only). In addition, the judge ordered the defendant to forfeit his mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake in writing to be of good behavior henceforth. In a similar development, Justice Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State convicted and sentenced Osemwegie to five years imprisonment for fraud. The one- count charge read : "that you Omorovbiye Best Osemwegie sometime in November 2020 at Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, sent electronic message which materially misrepresented your identity to Wang Jun, a Chinese woman upon which she relied and suffered financial loss in a sum of $3,000,00 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (ii)of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b)(iv) of the same Act". In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, I.K Agwai prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Justice Olubanjo convicted and sentenced the defendant to five years imprisonment with an option of fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira only). The judge also ordered the convict to forfeit the balance of money in his bank account, one Mercedes Benz C300 2015 model and a mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. He is also to undertake in writing to be of good behavior henceforth. The convicts' journey to the Correctional Centre started when they were arrested by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for impersonating foreigners to commit internet- related crimes. Robert impersonated an American while Osemwegie impersonated a Chinese. The press release contains a photo of both 419ers: court-jails-two-internet-fraudsters-10-years ************************************** 16 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests 13 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Enugu Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested thirteen ( 13) suspected internet fraudsters at the Nsukka and Emene axes of Enugu State. They were arrested on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 in a sting operation. Twelve of the suspects believed to be involved in internet- related offences are: Chinaza Onyekwelu; David Sharon; Igwenagu Chimezie; nachi Collins, Noble Nwodo and Okoye Ebuka. Others are: Onaga Divine; Richie Samson; Ugwu Chideru; Victor Sopuluchi, Nwajie Chidubem Eric and Nnamani Chukwuebuka. They were arrested based on some verified intelligence by the EFCC. Items recovered from them include: five laptops; phones and a silver- coloured Lexus car with registration number: FST 823 GD. The suspects will soon be charged to court. The press release includes photos: efcc-arrests-13-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-enugu ************************************* 16 MAR 2022 Man Jailed Six Months for Attempted Cyber Fraud in Kwara The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday March 16, 2022 secured the conviction of one Adeshina Michael Oluwafemi from Ekiti State, for posing as a white man in an attempt to defraud his unsuspecting victims. Adeshina was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment by Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, after the judge found him guilty of one count charge levelled against him by the Commission. The charge reads: "That you, Adeshina Michael Oluwafemi (aka Viki Ron) Sometime in May 2020 or thereabout at Ilorin, Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court attempted to commit an offence of cheating by personation by pretending and representing yourself to be a white man called Viki Ron who was in relationship with a white Woman, Carol Richard as it is contained in your gmail account: ronv553@gmail.comand thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 95 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria." The defendant pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him. Following his guilty plea, counsel to the EFCC, Aliyu Adebayo, called a witness who is an operative of the EFCC to review the facts of the case. The witness narrated how the defendant was arrested based on credible intelligence. The witness tendered the defendant’s Huawei Phone, fraudulent messages printed from his device as well as his extra-judicial statements and were admitted in evidence. Adebayo, thereafter urged the court to consider the plea of the defendant, the extra-judicial statements and all the exhibits tendered convict the defendant as charged. In his judgment, Justice Akinpelu said the court was satisfied with the case of the prosecution and pronounced Adeshina guilty as charged. The judge sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). The court also ordered the forfeiture of the convict's Huawei Phone which was used to perpetrate the crime to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: man-jailed-six-months-for-attempted-cyber-fraud-in-kwara ************************************* 15 MAR 2022 Three Yahoo Boys Convicted in Oyo Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 convicted and sentenced the trio of Oyeleke Mubarak Oladipupo, Taiwo Opeyemi Oluwaseyi and Babatunde Peter Kolade for their fraudulent cyber activities. The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC arraigned the convicts on separate charges, and they pleaded "guilty" to the charges when read to them. Justice Agomoh thereafter, convicted and sentenced Oladipupo to seven months imprisonment, Taiwo to four imprisonment and Babatunde to three jail term. Furthermore, the court ordered that Oladipupo restitute the sum of $700USD (Seven Hundred United States Dollars) and forfeit one Samsung S9 to the Federal government of Nigeria. Also, Taiwo was ordered to restitute the sum of $300USD (Three Hundred United States Dollars), and forfeits three mobile phones to the Federal government of Nigeria. The court further ordered that the sums of $600USD, N2.2million, N1.4million and N37, 737. 31 found in Babatunde Peter Kolade's banks accounts be paid to his victims as restitution. He also forfeits one iPhone 12 Pro Max to the Federal government of Nigeria. The press release contains photos of all three 419ers: three-yahoo-boys-convicted-in-oyo *************************************** 15 MAR 2022 Two Cybercriminals Jailed in Oyo Courts in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, March 14, 2022 convicted and sentenced the duo of Ademuyiwa Basit Olamilekan and Opeyemi John Abiola on a separate one count charge each which bordered on cybercrime. Olamilekan was arraigned before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, while Abiola was docked before Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court. The charge against Olamilekan reads: "That you, Ademuyiwa Basit Olamilekan (aka Janet Brown) between May and August, 2021, at Ibadan Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, fraudulently impersonated an American lady via your email address: sinkbetty2@gmail.com, a document containing false pretence, to wit: sending the photograph of a white American female: wherein you represented yourself as a white female who goes by the name of "Jenet Brown,”" one Mike Good an American man with whom you claimed to be in love and ready to marry him, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015." The charge against Abiola reads: "That you, Opeyemi John Abiola on or about 8th November, 2021, at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, impersonated Elizabeth Wilson a white woman from United States of America, an offence contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code of Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000." Upon their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Murtala Usman and Sanusi Galadanchi reviewed the facts of the cases and prayed the courts to convict and sentence them as charged. Justice Agomoh, thereafter convicted and sentenced Ademuyiwa to five months imprisonment and ordered that he restitute $600USD (Six Hundred United State Dollars), and forfeit one iPhone X mobile phone to the Federal Government. Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced Abiola to six months community service. Also, the court ordered him to pay $790USD (Seven Hundred and Ninety United States Dollars) in restitution, forfeit the sum of N260,000.00 (Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) domiciled in his United Bank for Africa bank account and one Toyota Camry 2014 model car to the Federal government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of both 419ers: two-cybercriminals-jailed-in-oyo ******************************************** 15 MAR 2022 Farmer, One Other Jailed for Cyber Fraud in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 secured the conviction of two persons over offences bordering on cheating by personation, love scam and other internet related fraud. The convicts are Abdulkareem Jamiu who claimed to be a farmer and one Zakariyha Ibrahim from Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The duo of Jamiu and Ibrahim who were prosecuted before Justices Adenike Akinpelu and Sikiru Oyinloye respectively on separate charges, pleaded guilty to their respective charge. Following their guilty pleas, Innocent Mbachie and Aliyu Adebayo who p rosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission called a witness each to review the facts of the cases. The witnesses who are operatives of EFCC told the presiding Justices how credible intelligence led to the arrest of defendants. The witnesses tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, mobile phones and several fraudulent messages printed from their devices and were admitted in evidence. The counsels told the courts to consider the plea of guilt entered by the defendants, the extra-judicial statements and all the exhibits tendered to convict them as charged. The two Justices agreed that the EFCC had successfully established the cases against the defendants and pronounced each of them guilty. Justice Akinpelu sentenced Jamiu to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only). The judge also ordered that one iphone XR which he used to perpetrate the crime and the sum of N7,333,192.8 (Seven Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety-Two Naira, Eight Kobo) which he benefited from his unlawful activities be forfeited to the Federal Government. On the other hand, Justice Oyinloye sentenced Ibrahim to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). The court ordered that convict’s infinix phone recovered from him at the point of arrest and the sum of fifty Canadian dollars which he brought as restitution be forfeited to the Federal Government The press release contains a photo of both 419ers: farmer-one-other-jailed-for-cyber-fraud-in-ilorin ******************************************* 14 MAR 2022 Man Bags Two Years Imprisonment in Lafia for Facebook Scam The Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, March 14 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Tarbee Destiny Tyodoo before Justice N. I. Afolabi of the Federal High Court, Lafia, Nasarawa State on one count charge for his involvement in Internet fraud. The charge reads: "That you Tarbee Destiny Tyodoo sometime in January, 2022 in Makurdi, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court directly made false statement on your Facebook dating scam account knowing same to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and unishable under the same Section of the Act". The defendant pleaded "guilty" to the charge. Upon his plea, the prosecution counsel, G. G. Chia-Yakua prayed the Court to convict and sentence him as charged. Justice Afolabi convicted and sentenced Destiny to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of N500, 000.00. He is to forfeit one Laptop, to be sold by auction by the Registrar of the Court with the supervision of the EFCC and the proceeds, paid into the Treasury Single Account of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: man-bags-two-years-imprisonment-in-lafia-for-facebook-scam ******************************************** 14 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests Suspected International “Catcher” On FBI List, Osondu Igwilo, Three Others for $100m Fraud It was the end of road, on Thursday, March 11, 2022 for one Osondu Victor Igwilo, who had been on the watch list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, since 2018, when operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Command, swooped on him. Fifty-two year-old Igwilo, who is the alleged leader of a criminal network of "catchers" was arrested alongside Okafor Nnamdi Chris, Nwodu Uchenna Emmaunel and John Anazo Achukwu at a studio in the Sangotedo area of Lagos for an alleged fraud, money laundering and identity theft to the tune of about $100m. Before their arrest, Igwilo and his accomplices had allegedly been involved in an advance-fee scheme that involved false promises of investment funding by individuals who impersonated some United States of America, USA, bank officials in person and via the internet. Investigation revealed that those who fell victims of the suspects' criminal activities were asked to make certain payments before they could receive their funding. It was also revealed that proceeds of the scheme were allegedly laundered through U.S. bank accounts and diverted back to the alleged perpetrators in Nigeria. Consequently, Igwilo was placed on the FBI watch list, following a criminal complaint filed against him in the United States District Court, Houston, Texas in December 2016. Following their arrest, five houses located in choice areas of Lagos were recovered from Igwilo. The suspects will soon be charged to court. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-suspected-international-catcher-on-fbi-list-osondu-igwilo-three-others-for-100m-fraud ********************************************** 11 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests 33 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Lagos Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested thirty three (33) suspected internet fraudsters for alleged internet fraud. The suspects are John Oshogbo Ekpo, Samuel Afolabi Micheal, Erezi Sydney, Oghenemaro Ayoola, Nathaniel Joseph, Seye Victor Abolaji, Abdulrasheed Mayowa, Ojo Abiola, Damilola Afolabi, Innocent Alidu, Coker Taiwo, Ajiboye Odunayo, Olamilekan Agbaje, Wasiu Oluwasegun, Olonade Ridwan and Lucky John. Others are Olonade Wasiu, Babatunde Asibojo, Adekunle Nurudeen, Balogun Seun, Igwe Ossi, Oruen Daniel, Abiodun Hammed, Tizhe Lucky, Oghenekome Louis, Sodiha Sanya, Damilare Owotutu, Oladipupo Muyideen, Akintunde Olufemi, Afolabi Oluwasanmi, Ibrahim Salisu, John Eze and Asubiodo Jelili. They were arrested on March 9, 2022 at Rotimi Williams Farm Estate, Ogba, Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the Commission on the illegal activities of some individuals allegedly involved in computer fraud. Upon their arrest, fourteen (14) exotic vehicles, laptops and mobile devices were recovered from them. The suspects will be charged to court once investigations have been concluded. The press release contains a photo: efcc-arrests-33-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos ************************************** 10 MAR 2022 Cybercrime: Man Bags One Year Jail Term in Lagos The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on March 10, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Ajibola Azeez Ololade before Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for offence bordering on possession of documents containing false pretence contrary to and punishable under Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. He was accused of using fraudulent documents to perpetrate internet fraud. He was arraigned on a one-count charge, which reads: "Ajibola Azeez Ololade on 11th day of November 2021 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly had in your possession a document containing false pretences to wit "WHATSAPP CONVERSATION" wherein you engaged in a chat with one SOJ for an act of cybercrime which information you knew to be false." He pleaded "guilty" to the charge. The prosecuting counsel, Kufre Uduak, thereafter gave a review of the facts against the defendant and prayed the Court to convict him as charged and to sentence him accordingly. Justice Abike-Fadipe, thereafter, pronounced him guilty as charged and gave him an opportunity to address the Court. Pleading with the Court to temper justice with mercy, the defendant said: "I appear today because of a mistake I made three years ago. I deeply regret my involvement, and I beseech this Court of Law to temper justice with mercy. If given a second chance, I will turn a new leave and never engage in such again." Following his plea, Justice Abike-Fadipe sentenced him to one year in prison, but gave him an option of N500,000 fine with 40hours community service which must be supervised by officers of the Correctional Facility. His iPhone 12 Pro Max and An Apple computer were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government. cybercrime-man-bags-one-year-jail-term-in-lagos ***************************************** 10 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests Nine Internet Fraud Suspects in Enugu Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Command, on Thursday March 10, 2022 arrested nine suspected internet fraudsters at the Premier Layout,Ogui Nike axis of Enugu State. The suspects: Napoleon Providence, Udenta Arinze, Chidiebere Jonas, Ezeh Obinna, Imonikphawae Lucky, Arinze Ugochukwu, Anieze Sylvester, Okonkwo Ifeanyi Evans and Ogugua Sopuruchukwu were all arrested based on verified intelligence which links them fraudulent impersonation and other forms of cybercrimes targeting unsuspecting foreign nationals. Items recovered from the suspects include several phones, 5 laptops, a Mercedes Benz car, Lexus RX330 and a Toyota Camry 2009. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-nine-internet-fraud-suspects-in-enugu ************************************ 8 MAR 2022 Another Four Internet Fraudsters Jailed in Oyo Justice Uche Agomoh of a Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, today March 8, 2022, convicted and sentenced the trio of Tirimisiyu Idowu Taoreed, Adebisi Dolapo Adetayo and Shittu Ganiu Olamilekan to different jail terms cybercrime. The convicts pleaded "guilty" to the one count charge each for the offence of fraudulent impersonation preferred against them by the EFCC. The charge against Timisiriyu Idowu Taoreed reads: "That you, Timisiriyu Idowu Taoreed 'M', sometime in 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated one BJ Vilalobos via your Google Gmail account with an address bornjeje8@gmail.com with intent to gain monetary advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (iv) of the same Act." The charge against Adetayo Dolapo Adetayo reads: "That you, Adebisi Dolapo Adetayo sometime in 2020, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated one Beatrice Tina via your Google Gmail with address beatricetina333@gmail.com with intent to gain monetary advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act." The charge against Shittu Ganiu Olamilekan reads: "That you, Shittu Ganiu Olamilekan 'M', on or about the 11th day of February, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated one Bill McDonald via your Gmail account you created with an address janetdokan@gmail.com with intent to gain monetary advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act." Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Oyelakin Oyediran tendered as evidence, documents printed from the convicts’ emails, iPhones and laptops, as well as their confessional statements which were admitted as exhibits by the court. He prayed the court to convict and sentence he defendants as charged. Consequently, they were convicted and sentenced. Timisiriyu Idowu Taoreed was sentenced to five months imprisonment, Adetayo Dolapo Adetayo to six months imprisonment while Shittu Ganiu Olamilekan bagged eleven months jail term. The convicts were ordered to pay the sum of $3, 702USD (Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Two United States Dollars), N127, 080.33 (One Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand, Eighty Naira, Thirty Three Kobo) in restitution and forfeit four mobile phones, one MacBook and one silver HP Laptop to the Federal Government of Nigeria. another-four-internet-fraudsters-jailed-in-oyo ********************************************** 8 MAR 2022 Fake America Real Estate Manager, One Other Jailed for Love Scam in Ilorin Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 convicted and sentenced two persons to six months imprisonment each for offences bordering on internet related fraud. The convicts were prosecuted on one count separate charge by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. They are Kamaldeen Yusuf, a self-styled Real Estate Manager based i n United States of America and one Sulyman Ridwan Omotosho from I lorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State. The duo of Kamaldeen and Sulyman were among the thirty suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Malete, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State on September 19, 2021 by the operatives of the EFCC during a sting operation, following intelligence reports received by the Commission. Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charge. Following their guilty pleas, Innocent Mbachie and Rasheedat Alao who prosecuted the two cases on behalf of the Commission called two witnesses to review the facts of the cases. The witnesses, who are operatives of the EFCC tendered in evidence several incriminating documents printed from defendants devices, their extra judicial statements and mobile phones used to perpetrate the crime. The counsel urged the court to consider the evidence placed before it, the plea of guilt and all the exhibits tendered and uphold the case of the prosecution. Delivering Judgment on the two cases, Justice Akinpelu said that the court had carefully considered the case of the prosecution and found merit in the two cases. The judge, thereafter sentenced Kamaldeen and Sulyman to six months imprisonment each with option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) each. She also ordered the forfeiture of the mobile phones ecovered from the convicts to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of each 419er: fake-america-real-estate-manager-one-other-jailed-for-love-scam-in-ilorin ***************************************** 8 MAR 2022 Five Fraudsters Land in Jail for Cyber Fraud in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC, on Monday, March 7, 2022 secured the conviction of five persons for offences bordering on cybercrime and other internet-related fraud. They are Laoshe Abdul Olajide, Akinbohun Oluwatobiloba Stephen from Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Hammed Quadri Babatunde from Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State, Lawal Opeyemi Faruq from Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State and one David Ayodeji Ezekiel. Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court in Ilorin convicted and sentenced the defendants to various jail terms after the court found them guilty of the charges brought against them by the EFCC. The defendants, who were arraigned on separate charges pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Following their guilty pleas, Aliyu Adebayo, Andrew Akoja and Rasheedat Alao who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission urged the court to pronounce the defendants guilty as charged and sentence them. Justice Sani sentenced Laoshe to three months imprisonment on count 1 and 2 with option of fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira Only) and ordered that the Apple iPhone x6 which was used as instrumentality of crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. In the same vein, Akinbohun was sentenced to one year imprisonment with option of fine of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only). He was ordered to forfeit an Apple IPhone 6, Techno Spark 5, $100 (One Hundred Dollars) and N20,000 (Twenty Thousand Naira Only) recovered from him to the Federal Government. Justice Sani also sentenced Hammed to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). He ordered that the convict's iPhone X, iphone 11, blue laptop, which were used as instrumentality of the crime and the sum of $110 (One Hundred and Ten Dollars), which was a proceed of his unlawful activities be forfeited to the Federal Government. Similarly, Lawal was sentenced to one year imprisonment with option of fine of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only). The court ordered the forfeiture of one iPhone 13 which he used to perpetrate the crime, a Lexus 250 car with chassis number JTHBK262085054547, $200 (Two Hundred Dollars and N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) to the Federal Government. The judge also imposed a prison term of one year on David with option of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) and ordered the forfeiture of one Toyota Corolla 2004 Car, Samsung S10, iPhone X, one red laptop and the sum of N231,498.99 domiciled in his GT bank account to the Federal Government. five-fraudsters-land-in-jail-for-cyber-fraud-in-ilorin **************************************** 5 MAR 2022 Bawa Charges Youths to be Diligent, Shun Crime The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa on Saturday, 5 March 2022, enjoined Nigerian youths to be diligent and hardworking as the acceptable means to becoming successful. The EFCC boss gave the charge at an event organized by ENACOVID19 for repentant commercial sex workers, orphans and victims of domestic violence as well as other vulnerable persons. Bawa who spoke through the Head of Creative Communications Unit of the Public Affairs Department of the Commission, Nwanyinma Okeanu, encouraged the participants to shun crime and be diligent in their pursuit. According to him, obedience, hard work, creativity, belief in God and belief in one’s self are the keys to becoming successful in Nigeria. "There is no cutting corners in becoming successful, you must be ready to work hard and decide within yourself that you want to be successful and follow your dreams diligently," he said. He commended the organizers for helping vulnerable Nigerians to do something meaningful which will in turn help them stay out of crime. The Convener and Executive Director, Ben Onwudinjo said ENACOVID19 is an advocacy, teaching, empowerment and scholarship organization targeted at the vulnerable in the society. He pointed out that what his organization is doing is helping as many Nigerians as possible to make something meaningful out of life, through vocational training in bakery, tailoring, photography etc. "Our plan is to also teach, prepare and give scholarships to participants to write the 2022 May/June NECO and NABTEC exams", he added. The press release contains a photo: bawa-charges-youths-to-be-diligent-shun-crime ********************************************* 4 MAR 2022 EFCC Operatives Arrest 22 Suspected Cybercriminals in Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abuja Zonal Command on Thursday, March 3, 2022, arrested 22 suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation. They were fished out from their hideouts in the Kubwa and Kurudu suburbs of Abuja, following credible intelligence on their alleged criminal activities. The suspects comprising one female and twenty one males, are within the age range, 17 and 28 years. The intelligence links them to various forms of cybercrimes including love scam, business email compromise, job scam, visa scam and lottery scam. Upon their arrest, 10 cars were seized from the suspects comprising 2 Lexus SUV’s, 2 Lexus Sedan, 3 Mercedes Benz C Class, 1 Toyota Corolla, 1 Toyota Camry and 1 Honda Accord. Also recovered are over 10 laptops and 50 mobile phones. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is completed The press release includes a photo: efcc-operatives-arrest-22-suspected-cybercriminals-in-abuja ************************************** 4 MAR 2022 Jebba Farmer, Designer, Four Others Jailed For Cyber Fraud in Ilorin Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court in Ilorin on Friday, March 4, 2022, convicted and sentenced six persons charged for internet -related fraud by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to various jail terms The convicts include: Abdulrahaman Ridwan, who claimed to be a farmer at Jebba, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State; Yinus Lateef Shola, a fashion designer from Omupo in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State and Jimoh Ahmed Adeola from Owo in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Others are Yinus Muiz Iyanda, Ridwan Oladimeji from Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State and one Gideon Thomas. The defendants, who were arraigned on separate charges, pleaded guilty to their respective counts. Following their pleas, Aliyu A. Adebayo, Sesan Ola and Rasheedat Alao who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the Commission drew the attention of the court to the admittance of guilt by the defendants and their confessional statements and urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants. In his judgment, Justice Sani said the court was satisfied with the evidence adduced by the prosecution and pronounced the defendants guilty of their respective charges. The judge sentenced Abdulrahaman Ridman to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) and ordered that a Toyota Camry 2013 with registration number FST280GK which he purchased with proceeds of crime as well as his iPhone 7+ which was used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. The court also imposed a term of one year imprisonment with option of fine of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) on Yinus Lateef Shola and ordered that the $230 (Two Hundred and Thirty United States Dollars), which he raised as restitution, one Apple Iphone 11 and HP laptop which were used as instrumentality of the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. Similarly, Justice Sani sentenced Jimoh Ahmed to one year imprisonment with option of fine of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and ordered the forfeiture of his grey Mercedes Benz which was purchased with the proceeds of crime, Apple Iphone XR, and Apple Iphone 12 pro to the Federal Government. In the same vein, Yinus Muiz Iyanda bagged six months imprisonment with option of fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) and would forfeit the iPhone 6 which was recovered from him at the point of arrest to the Federal Government. For Rilwan, the Judge sentenced him to a prison term of one year with option of N250,0000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only). The court equally ordered the forfeiture of the convict’s iPhone which he used to perpetrate the crime. Justice Sani sentenced Gideon to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only), and ordered that the sum of $500 (Five Hundred Dollars) which he raised as restitution and his phone that was used as instrumentality of the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. Additionally, the convict would return $1,145 (One Thousand, One Hundred and Forty Five Dollars), part of what he benefited for his victims. jebba-farmer-designer-four-others-jailed-for-cyber-fraud-in-ilorin **************************************** 3 MAR 2022 Ogun Boy Jailed in Kwara for Love Scam A 21 years old Adeogun Timileyin Feranmi who hails from Abule-Egba, Abeokuta in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State has been convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment for offences bordering on internet related scam and personation. The conviction followed the arraignment of the defendant by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on one count charge before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin. Feranmi was among the thirty internet fraud suspects arrested during a sting operation by operatives of the EFCC on September 19, 2021 at Malete, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State following intelligence reports over their alleged involvements in internet fraud related offences. The charge reads: "That you, Adeogun Timileyin Feranmi on or about the 20th day of October 2019 in Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did cheat by personation when you pretended to be one Hannah Sanabria via your gmail address hannahsanabriah@gmail.com and in that guise communicated with one Reus Saints whom you induced to part with property to with: $1500 vide bitcoin and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 324 of the same Law" The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Following his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Rasheedat Alao, called a witness, whom she led in evidence to review the facts of the case. The witness, who is an operative of the Commission narrated the circumstances that led to the arrest of the defendant and tendered as exhibits one HP laptop and several fraudulent documents printed out from the defendant's device, all which were admitted in evidence. Alao, thereafter prayed the court to take judicial notice of the guilty plea entered by the defendant, his extra judicial statements as well as exhibit tendered and convict him as charged. Justice Akinpelu in her judgment on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 upheld the submission of the prosecution that the EFCC had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The judge sentenced Feranmi to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only). The court also ordered the forfeiture of the HP laptop recovered from the defendant to the Federal Government. The press release includes a photo of the 419er: ogun-boy-jailed-in-kwara-for-love-scam **************************************** 2 MAR 2022 Shun Internet Fraud, Bawa Charges Corps Members The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa has again called on youth to embrace hard work and shun economic and financial crimes. He stated this today, March 2, 2022 while delivering a lecture on the Role of Youth in Curbing Corruption at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp, Issele Uku, Delta State. The EFCC boss who was represented by Williams Oseghale, Head, Public Affairs, Benin Zonal Command urged the corps members to shun acts of corruption and economic crimes. "There is no shortcut to wealth and fame. The fact that the rate of unemployment is high should not be an excuse to resort to crime. Acts of criminality might deliver wealth in the short term but ultimately, there will be misery and gnashing of teeth." He admonished the corps members to be role models in their area of primary assignment. "We are inviting you to lend a hand in helping us build a society where there is respect for the rule of law and where impunity is a thing of the past." At the NYSC Orientation Camp, Gombe, the EFCC boss who was represented by Chris Oluka, Head, Public Affairs, Gombe Zonal Command, challenged the youth to take ownership of the fight against corruption. "You stand at a threshold to either chart a path for good or bad by your actions and we at EFCC encourage you to stand with us in securing a corrupt free Nigeria, through your attitude and partnership with us." He urged the corps members to understand their place as critical stakeholders in the fight against corruption by being the 'eyes and ears' of EFCC in their primary places of assignment. "The message to you all this morning is that you should become whistleblowers in any place you find yourselves by reporting acts that fail the simple test of integrity. This you can do anonymously by downloading our specially developed App called the 'Eagle Eye' via the App store and Google play and using it to report all economic and financial crimes,” he stated. At the NYSC Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Superintendent of EFCC, Martha Ojochokutami Eche who delivered the chairman's lecture called on the corps members to take up the gauntlet in the fight against graft. "One critical group of stakeholders are the youths. Apart from the fact that they are considered as the leaders of tomorrow, most economic crimes, especially cyber-crimes, are committed by young people. It therefore follows that young people must not be mere spectators in the anti-graft campaign. Rather they should actually be the foot soldiers chasing corruption and economic crimes out of our land." Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE Dele Oyewale, who represented the Executive Chairman at the Nonwa Orientation Camp, Port Harcourt, Rivers State called on corps members across the country to develop hatred for corrupt practices and tackle them as dangerous and fierce enemies against the nation. "Our experiences as a nation have shown that our greatest enemy and threat to sustainable development is corruption. We are all victims of the deleterious effects of this monster. To this end, I charge all of you to treat corruption as a mortal enemy and tackle it as such. You must develop aversion towards corrupt practices and you must confront every compromise of integrity with hard tackles", he said. As a practical way of confronting corrupt practices, he tasked corps members to be change agents, accountability vanguards and civil mobilisers against corrupt practices. "In your place of primary assignments, you should demonstrate your determination against corrupt tendencies by changing the people around you, campaign against economic and financial crimes and mobilise the people against every breach of integrity. It is by being change agents that you will be able to draw the world to the right direction", he said. Additionally, the EFCC's boss stressed that the Eagle Eye Apps has made citizens reporting corruption cases convenient. "As young Nigerians, you can offer whistle blowing services to the EFCC through the Eagle Eye App. It is a digital means of conveying information to us without necessarily disclosing your identity. Only ensure that information supplied to the EFCC is true and credible" he said. From NYSC Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area, Kwara State, Ayodele Babatunde, Head, Public Affairs, who stood in for the EFCC Chairman charged the corps members to see themselves as anti- corruption crusaders for the greater good of our country. According to him, "the Commission believes that the NYSC is a veritable platform to rally the Nigerian youth against corruption". He noted that the fight against corruption should not be left to the EFCC alone, stressing that it was essential to sensitise the youths against corruption, cybercrime, illicit financial flows and illegal oil bunkering, all of which contribute to economic sabotage. He assured the corps members that the EFCC is resolute in its efforts to curb corruption, money laundering and other forms of economic and financial crimes. "The Commission would ensure that those who had plundered the resources of the nation or amassed wealth through illegitimate means are brought to justice through the instrumentality of the law". "I enjoin you to stand up and say no to corruption. Let us take the future of this country in our hands and let us not lose hope in our efforts to bring the country back from the brink", he said. Adewoye Gbenga, of the Public Affairs Department, Ilorin Zonal Command who was at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Asaya, Kabba, Kogi State, on behalf of the Chairman challenged corps members to support the EFCC in raising the campaign for a corruption free country through uprightness, volunteerism and patriotism. "Once we are able to get rid of corruption and criminality, then you can walk the street freely and successfully set the country on the path of sustainable development." He observed that corruption was responsible for the problems faced by many Nigerians and urged youths to team up with the EFCC in the fight against the menace. "Say no to corruption. Report any act of economic and financial crime within your neighborhood to the EFCC and be assured that you will get quick response from us", he added. That was also the thrust of the message delivered by Bethel Ude, Head, Public Affairs, Enugu Command at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Awgu, Enugu State, "There is still hope for the country and Nigeria would be great again if everyone including the youths join hands with the EFCC to end the menace of corruption We are convinced that all hope is not lost in the effort to bring this country back from the brink. As dynamic young men and women, our desire is to harness your intelligence and energy for greater public good in your areas of primary assignments," she said Adeniran Adebayo, Head, Public Affairs, Makurdi Zonal Command, at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Wannune, Tarka LGA, Benue State enjoined corps members to join the EFCC/NYSC Community Development Group for a more robust relationship. The platform, he says, would offer corps members the opportunity for an enduring relationship with the Commission and other stakeholders. "It will also avail you the opportunity to work with the advocacy arm of the Commission and be in a position to serve as change agents," he posited. Same message was delivered by Mary Ogolekwu, an officer of the Public Affairs Department, Benin Zonal Command and a host of other officers who represented the Executive Chairman at other Orientation Camps across the country. The press release includes a photo: shun-internet-fraud-bawa-charges-corps-members ****************************************** 1 MAR 2022 EFCC Arrests Three Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Benin City The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday, February 26, 2022, arrested three suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City. The suspects: Omoghan Destiny Igbinosa, Ossien Godwin Isioma and Obiora Divine Chijoke, were arrested following a petition by a Bureau De Change operator. He alleged that one of the suspects had contacted him for his account details which he obliged him. He said he later received the sum of $4950 and transferred the Naira equivalent to one of the suspects. The complainant further alleged that recently, without his consent, the sum of $2235USD was transferred to his account and that when he went to withdraw the money, he was told that a lien had been placed on the account on the grounds of suspicious transaction. The suspects were subsequently arrested when they came to collect the money from the Bureau de Change operator. The suspects have made useful statements and will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is completed. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-three-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-benin-city ***************************************** 27 FEB 2022 EFCC Arrests Three Alleged Internet Fraudsters in Gombe The Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday February 25, 2022, arrested three suspected Internet fraudsters in their hideout at Investment Quarters, Tumfre, Gombe State. Two of the alleged scammers, Kenan Miracle and Charles Sunday, from Edo and Adamawa State respectively, claimed they were students of Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State. Their arrest was triggered by actionable intelligence on their alleged fraudulent activities. Upon arrests, fraudulent documents were extracted from their devices. They will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigated is concluded. The press release has a photo: efcc-arrests-three-alleged-internet-fraudsters-in-gombe ****************************************** 25 FEB 2022 Be Good Examples, EFCC Charges Youths The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has again charged youths to be good examples in conduct and character and to shun economic and financial crimes. This charge was given today, February 25, 2022, by the Benin Zonal Commander, Usman Muktar at an enlightenment campaign on the ills of economic and financial crimes at Midwest Regional Youth Camp of Foursquare Gospel Church, Benin City. The Zonal Commander who was represented by Williams Oseghale, Head, Public Affairs charged the youth to be good examples in the society. "The Bible says you are the light, so be the light in your homes and your community. Where there is light, there is no corruption, no fraud, no yahoo yahoo and other forms of criminality." He also charged them to shun internet fraud as it was not a sustainable way of life. "Stay away from internet fraud. Don't get involved because it is capable of truncating your destiny. If you are caught, you can be sentenced to as much as 15 years imprisonment. That effectively means a substantial part of your life is wasted." Besides imprisonment, assets, money and other proceeds of crime retrieved from the suspect are forfeited to the government or restituted to the victim of the offence. "The Commission is resolute in dealing with internet fraudsters, so there is no hiding place for them", said. He further charged them to be disciplined, hardworking and accountable in order to achieve their dreams in life. Pastor Abayomi Jayeola, coordinator of the programme, thanked the Commission for the enlightenment. He said with the lecture, the youths were better informed on the consequences of engaging in economic and financial crimes. The press release includes a photo: be-good-examples-efcc-charges-youths ************************************** 25 FEB 2022 EFCC Returns €1, 120 to German Fraud Victim The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, February 24, 2022, returned €1,120 (One Thousand One Hundred and Twenty Euros) recovered from a fraudster to the German victim, one Ms. Regina Gluck. The money was recovered from a convicted fraudster and indigene of Edo state, Austin Isibor Aisosa, who obtained the fund through false representation that he was a wounded American soldier in Afghanistan and needed urgent medical attention to return to the United States. The Secretary to the Commission, Dr. George Ekpungu who presented the money to Jan Ritterhoff, an official of the German Embassy in Nigeria, expressed satisfaction for the recovery and the Commission's resolve to continue to partner with the German Embassy and other international partners in fighting economic and financial crimes. "It is obvious that EFCC is doing its work and we will continue to do our best to fight all forms of economic and financial crimes", he said. Receiving the money on behalf of the victim, Ritterhoff thanked the EFCC for the effort and assured of the German government's assistance to Nigeria in the fight against economic and financial crimes. "We are happy that this is possible and we will return it to Ms. Gluck as soon as possible. We are always here to help you and we are grateful for your help in very difficult cases," he said. The press release includes a photo: efcc-returns-1-120-to-german-fraud-victim 419 Coalition comment: Good on the EFCC, and we say: More! More! More of the same! ****************************************** 21 FEB 2022 EFCC Arrests 31 Alleged Internet Fraudsters in Benin Operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday February 21, 2022 arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters at their hideouts in Benin. The suspects are Chukwu Onyekachi, Augustine Omokaro Isreal, Franklin Ozoma, Kelly Osaretin, Uyi Eric, Aruna Charles Destiny, Osakpalor Joseph, Ogiamon Nosa, Otaru Praise Tobi, Lucky Tejiri, Clinton Amanemiye, Bright Omokhua, Aisosa Enobahkre, Imariable Aisosa Collins, Osamede Egboiy Nicholas, Louis Ekharuyi, Omokhua Destiny and Omagbon Friday Harry. Others are Freedom Ovie, Daniel Ogbemudia, James Collins Oghenetega, Imalele Tony, Sunday Etim Peter, Nosakhare Uyi, Obi Emeka, Joseph Etim Peter, Favour Aigbiedo, Greater Omosivie, Humphery Omosivie, Leonard Ovie and David Osarere. Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include nine exotic cars - Lexus ES 300, Mercedes Benz GLK 350, Lexus RX330, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX330, Three (3) Mercedes Benz C300, Mercedes Benz C350 4Matic; laptops and mobile phones. The suspects have made useful statements and will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is concluded. efcc-arrests-31-alleged-internet-fraudsters-in-benin ****************************************** 21 FEB 2022 Court Sends Internet Fraudster Two Years Imprisonment in Benin Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Monday, February 21, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Ikuobase Miller (aka Larry Benson) to two years imprisonment for fraud. The defendant was arraigned on one count charge by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for fraudulent personation. The charge reads, "that you Ikuobase Miller (alias Larry Benson) between year 2020 and 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently personates the identity of one Larry Benson, an American, with intent to defraud one Natasha, a foreign woman, with the intent to gain advantage to yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 (as applicable in Edo State)". Upon arraignment the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Ozigbu Austin prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. Justice Ikpowonoba convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with option of N 200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, the defendant shall also forfeit his mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake in writing to be of good behavior henceforth. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-sends-internet-fraudster-two-years-imprisonment-in-benin ******************************************* 21 FEB 2022 EFCC Arraigns Two for Internet Fraud in Lagos The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today February 21, 2022, arraigned the duo of Samuel Ayotunde Balogun and Sodiq Muraina Olarenwaju before Justice A. O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on separate charges bordering on possession of document containing false pretence. The charge preferred against Balogun reads that the defendant "sometime in 2022 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court directly made a false statement wherein you held yourself as one Murry Johnson in your Instagram account knowing same to be false and with intent that the representation is relied upon for the purpose of procuring the issuance of financial instrument to yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22 (3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act, 2015". Olarenwaju is accused of having in his possession a document containing false pretence titled 'Google Account', "wherein you held yourself as a white man named "Williams Sunday" an information you knew to be false contrary to Section 6 and 5(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act". They pleaded not guilty to the respective charges. Justice Awogboro ordered the defendants remanded in the IkoyiCorrectional facility and adjourned the matter till February 28, 2022 and March 9, 2022 for commencement of trial. efcc-arraigns-two-for-internet-fraud-in-lagos ************************************** 17 FEB 2022 Ibadan Command Secures Six Convictions of Cybercriminals A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, convicted six internet fraudsters on separate one count charge each for criminal impersonation, an offence which contravenes Section 22 (2) (b) (1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (b) of the same Act. The convicts are: Wahab Akintola Salam, Alonge Abiodun Ayomide, Adeyinka Goodness Taiwo, Adeniran Ayobami Tijesunimi, Dolapo Temitope Oladele, and Mubarak Opeyemi Balogun. They all pleaded "guilty" to the charges preferred against them upon arraignment. Afterwards, the prosecution counsel, Oluwatoyin Oladunni reviewed the facts of the cases and urged the court to convict and sentence them as charged. Justice Uche Agomoh convicted and sentenced Adeyinka Goodness Taiwo and Dolapo Temitope Oladele to ten months imprisonment each; Alonge Abiodun Ayomide and Adeniran Tijesunimi seven months each, while Wahab Akintola and Mubarak Opeyemi Balogun bagged six months imprisonment each. Also, the court ordered that Mubarak Opeyemi Balogun restitute the sum of N627, 177. 85 (Six Hundred and Twenty Seven Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy Seven Naira, Eighty Five Kobo) domiciled in his bank account, and forfeit one iPhone 12 Pro Max mobile phone to the Federal government of Nigeria. Adeyinka Goodness Taiwo was ordered to pay the sum of N1, 051, 051. 00 (One Million, Fifty One Thousand, Fifty One Naira) in restitution as he forfeit one iPhone 11Pro Max and one Infinix Hot 8 mobile phones to the Federal government. Dolapo Temitope Oladele forfeits an Android mobile phone while Alonge Abiodun Ayomide was ordered to restitute the sum of $100USD (One Hundred United States Dollars). The court also ordered that Adeniran Tijesunimi restitute $550USD (Five Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars), and forfeit one iPhone X, an Infinix Smart phone, one gold ring, and one 2005 Model Honda Accord Car to the Federal government of Nigeria. Wahab Akintola was ordered to pay the sum of $1,250USD (One Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars), and forfeit one iPhone 12 Pro Max mobile phone to the Federal government of Nigeria. ibadan-command-secures-six-convictions-of-cybercriminals ***************************************** 17 FEB 2022 EFCC Arrests 29 Internet Fraud Suspects in Kwara The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, February 17, 2022, arrested twenty nine (29) persons for their alleged involvement in internet and other related fraud activities. The suspects who were arrested at different locations in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State include: Sikiru Mustapha, Abdulmartin Olawale, Gbolahan Abdulamin, Abdulfawaz Olakanmi, Tunde Saheed, David Komolafe, Adebayo Ridwan, Oluwatobi Akinbo, Fatimehin Kayode, Ibrahim Zakariya, Olajide Moshood, Ikudaisi Adesoji, Habeeb Adeyemi and Hassan Akorede. Others are: Ahmed Quadri, Olanipekun Ibrahim, Olabisi Ololade, Ahmed Akorede, Wasiu Adesina, Damilola Samsudeen, Olaloye Damilare, Nathaniel Laoshe, Adeniyi Opeyemi, Adebayo Shahajudeen, Segun Ajila, Kehinde Olaniyi and Ibitowa Toyeeb. The arrest followed credible intelligence received by the Command on the activities of the suspects. Items recovered from them include mobile phones, laptops and cars. Some of the suspects have confessed to the crime and they will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation. efcc-arrests-29-internet-fraud-suspects-in-kwara ******************************************** 16 FEB 2022 Court Sends Serial Fraudster to Jail for $12,000 Scam in Ilorin Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, convicted one Saka Ridwan Olamilekan from Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State for possession of fraudulent funds and love scam. The conviction of the defendant followed his arraignment by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one count charge. Saka was among the 30 (Thirty) persons arrested on September 19, 2021, at Molete in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State over their involvements on cybercrime. The charge reads: "That you, Saka Ridwan Olamilekan sometime in Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did knowingly had under your control, Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12000) found in your Cash App account which is reasonably suspected to be unlawfully obtained and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 319A of the Penal Code Law" The defendant pleaded guilty. Prosecuting Counsel, Rasheedat Alao, reviewed the facts of the case through a witness who is an operative of the EFCC. The witness said several fraudulent messages were printed from Saka's devices. The extra judicial statements of the defendant, the fraudulent messages, one Apple iPhone 12 pro max and one HP Revolve Laptop were tendered and admitted in evidence. Alao therefore urged the Court to consider the facts and circumstances of the matter in upholding the case of the prosecution. Justice Akinpelu in a well considered judgment, convicted and sentenced the defendant to six (6) months imprisonment with option of fine of #150,000 ( One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) The Judge ordered the convict to forfeit the sum of $1000 ( One Thousand Dollars) which he raised as restitution as well his iPhone to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-sends-serial-fraudster-to-jail-for-12-000-scam-in-ilorin ***************************************** 15 FEB 2022 Ten Alleged Yahoo Boys Nabbed in Uyo Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the early hours of Saturday, February 12, 2022, arrested members of a syndicate of cyber-fraudsters also known as 'yahoo boys', in a sting operation at their hideouts in Abak and Nwaniba areas of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. The suspects are: Chukwuka Anthony Onyeka, Endurance Augustine Udoh, Adeyanju Abraham Kayode, Akpanobong Idongesit Ezekiel, Ogbon Precious, Tamaraebi Idongesit Barry, Bassey Ubong John, Odenigbo Basil Chukwuebuka, Oboh Rex and Kalu Jonathan Uzochukwu. Items recovered from them include a locally made Pistol with four Cartridges belonging to one of the suspects, Kalu Jonathan Uzochukwu. Other items recovered from the suspects are mobile phones, laptops, Router and a Toyota Camry car with registration number: GWA 998 JF Abuja. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release includes photos: ten-alleged-yahoo-boys-nabbed-in-uyo ***************************************** 15 FEB 2022 Court Jails Internet Fraudster Five Years in Benin Justice Professor C.A Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City on Monday, February 14, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Adanegbe Hope Osaze to five years imprisonment for fraud. The defendant was arraigned on one count charge by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for fraudulent impersonation. The charge against him reads, "that you Adanegbe Hope Osaze sometime in year 2018 at Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of Mark Hagen an American by sending his picture to Lynn Wri through the internet which identity you claim to be your own with the intent to obtain money from her, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under section 22(2) (b) (iv) of the same Act". Upon arraignment the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. However, the defence counsel, B.I Jaboro urged the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant is a first time offender who has become remorseful for his actions. Justice Obiozor convicted and sentenced the defendant to five years imprisonment with the option of a fine of N500, 000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). In addition, the defendant shall forfeit his mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. and undertake to be of good behavior afterwards. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-jails-internet-fraudster-five-years-in-benin ***************************************** 14 FEB 2022 EFCC Arrests 26 Internet Fraud Suspects, including Self-style PA to Gov. in Ibadan Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, February 11, 2022, arrested one Babawale Daniel Olayinka, a self-style “Personal Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Media Matters”, and twenty five others at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State, over alleged internet-related fraud activities. The arrests followed verified intelligence on their cybercrime activities. Twenty-five of the suspects have admitted involvement in internet fraud activities. The indicted suspects are: Wale Jegede, Adekunle Solomon, Babawale Daniel Olayinka, Olanipekun Adams, Toheeb Admola, Olatunji Gbolahan, Oyowevotu Moses, Olaide Ibrahim Opeyemi, Olamilekan Rilwan, Olamilekan Akinyemi, Lekan Adenuga, Salami Segun, Lawal Samuel, Kolawole Fuad. Others are: Olarenwaju Gbolahan, Makinde Olamiposi, Michael Timileyin, Sheriff Ololade, Adewale Dayo, Ajobola Tajudeen, Kazeem Warrees, Obinna Duru, Shotayo Sola, Mohammed Suleiman and Makinde Ajibola. An identity card was recovered from Babawale Daniel Olayinka, one of the 25 indicted internet fraud suspects, introducing him as a personal assistant on media matters to the Oyo State governor, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde. Items recovered from the suspects include seven exotic cars, several laptops, mobile phones and incriminating documents. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded. The press release incldues a photo: efcc-arrests-26-internet-fraud-suspects-including-self-style-pa-to-gov-in-ibadan ********************************************* 11 FEB 2022 EFCC Arrest Eight Internet Fraud Suspects in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested eight (8) persons over their alleged involvement in cyber-fraud, including cheating by personation and love scam. The suspects are Abdulrahman Ridwan, David Ayodeji, Gideon Thomas, Yinus Muiz, Yinus Lateef, Jimoh Ahmed, Lawal Farouk Opeyemi and Oladimeji Ridwan. They were arrested in Basin and Asa-Dam areas of Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital following credible intelligence about their alleged criminal activities. Items recovered from them include, exotic cars,mobile phones and laptops. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is completed. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrest-eight-internet-fraud-suspects-in-ilorin ***************************************** 11 FEB 2022 Eleven Suspected Internet Fraudsters Arrested in Uyo The Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Wednesday February 9, 2022 effected the arrest of eleven suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation at different locations within Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The suspects aged between 18 and 30 years are: Caleb Jackson, Inemesit Sunday E., Oputu Samuel Belle aged 20 from Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State and a Civil engineering student of Uniuyo; Chinonso Ozuruigbo, Onyemaechi Chisom, Nzeakor Uchenna, Umana Israel Victor, Bassey Solomon Utuk Patrick and Ekemini Akaninyene Effiong The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded. The press release includes a photo: eleven-suspected-internet-fraudsters-arrested-in-uyo ********************************************* 11 FEB 2022 Five Internet Fraudsters Convicted in Ogun, Osun The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, February 10, 2022 secured five convictions before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State and Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State respectively, for their involvement in internet fraud. The convicts are: Sulaimon Ayub Damilare, Mujeeb Lawal Alabi, Timilehin Paul Ogunleye, Osoko Adesola David and Akinwunmi Emmanuel. They pleaded “guilty” to their separate charges. Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel convicted and sentenced Osoko Adesola David to five months imprisonment, Timilehin Paul Ogunleye, four imprisonment while Akunwunmi Emmanuel bagged three months jail term. Similarly, Justice Oguntoyinbo convicted and sentenced Mujeeb Lawal Alabi to three months imprisonment while Sulaimon Ayub Damilare bagged four months. The convicts are to restitute their victims and forfeit recovered items to the Federal Government five-internet-fraudsters-convicted-in-ogun-osun ****************************************** 11 FEB 2022 EFCC Arrests 42 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Asaba Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 42 suspected internet fraudsters at various locations in Asaba, Delta State. They were arrested on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, in a sting operation. The thirty-one( 31) of the suspects, comprising 29 men and 2 ladies, are: James Nweze, Nmuokoro Tega, Eruteyan Benjamine, Nwaozor Chinedu, Okwesa Solomon, Yusuf Michael, Ikhana Godswork, Benson David, Chidinma Anthony, Jennifer Nkem, Okorie Temple, Paul Gabriel, Okafor Osita, Vihishima Joseph and Desmond Osaigbovo. Others are: Jude Ogougboh, Sylvester Nwabunwanne, Faith Samuel, Prince Ohumhende, Osaretin Unity, Godstime Animan, Oluwaseun Orimoloye, Mathias Ohashina, Precious Agolo, Okoronkwo Stanley, Benjamin Onyedika Victor, Okonta Anthony, Omelebele Lucky, Okafor Victory, Osade Peter, Daniel Chukwudi Mbaeme. Their arrest followed series of intelligence reports linking them with alleged fraudulent activities ranging from dating and celebrity scams on numerous dating sites, bitcoin investment scam, cryptocurrency scam, obtaining by false pretense and impersonation. Items recovered from them at the point of arrest include: thirteen (13) exotic cars, 59 phones of different brands; ten laptops, one Hisense television and speakers; one iPad and 3 PlayStation. They will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded. The press release containa photo: efcc-arrests-42-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-asaba ***************************************** 9 FEB 2022 Shun Cybercrime, EFCC Commander Tells Youth in Kaduna The Commander of the Kaduna Zonal; Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Harry Erin has urged youths to join the fight against economic and financial crimes. The Commander who spoke through the Head of Bank Fraud, Mr. Effa Imoh Okim at the launch of Intensive Financial and Anti- Cyber Crime Campaign at Kaduna State University, KASU, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, noted that "success in the fight against Economic and Financial Crimes including corruption can only be achieved when all critical stakeholders especially the youths embrace the fight". He said the future of Nigeria belongs to the youths and encouraged them to help in securing the future of Nigeria.Also speaking, the Head of Cyber Crime, Nuradeen Bello, advised the students to shun cybercrimes as they stand the rsik of being caught and convicted. If this happens, "your future will be destroyed, your name will be on Internet forever, without any future politically or in the civil service and no one will be willing to engage or be associated with an ex-convict in anything". He further encouraged them to concentrate on their studies so to make a better future for themselves. The press release contains a photo: shun-cybercrime-efcc-commander-tells-youth-in-kaduna ****************************************** 8 FEB 2022 Shun Cybercrimes, Embrace Hard Work, EFCC Commander Urges Youths The Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Command, Ahmed Ghali, has again urged Nigerian students from selected schools across Lagos State to shun cyber crime, and to embrace hard work as the only road to success in life. He gave the charge in a lecture entitled "Risk and consequences of Cyber crime (Yahoo Yahoo)" delivered at the Akinwunmi Youth Center, Yaba, Lagos, on February 8, 2022, as part of the annual celebration of the "Safer Internet Day". Ghali who was represented by the Deputy Head, Cyber Crimes Section, EFCC Lagos Command, Suleiman Jijiwa, described the event as an auspicious one. According to him, cybercrimes is not a way of life and cannot ensure an enduring success. Hard work is the only route to sustainable successful life. Speaking further, he said, "this event is not only timely, but necessary, considering the rise in the spate of cybercrime across the globe and Nigeria in particular". "In the year 2021 alone, there were cyber-attack incidents every 11 seconds; this rise is alarming and worrisome." He noted that cybercrime in Nigeria was being perpetrated by youths and students within the age bracket of 18-45. Identifying the quest for money as the major driving force that lures students into cybercrime, he warned them that the EFCC will continue to trace, arrest and prosecute Internet fraudsters. "Arrest and conviction will give the perpetrator a negative image within the society and may result in withdrawal from school," he said. The Safer Internet Day, is an initiative of the Joint INSAFE/INHOPE, aimed at transforming the mindset of young individuals in order to reduce cybercrime in the society. The press release includes a photo: shun-cybercrimes-embrace-hard-work-efcc-commander-urges-youths ******************************************** 3 FEB 2022 Ex- Rector’s Son, Olaoye, Two Others Jailed for Cyber Fraud in Ilorin The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, February 3, 2022 secured the conviction of a certain Olaoye Jamiu Olarewaju, son of a former Deputy Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, over offences bordering on cybercrime. Olaoye was convicted alongside one Badmus Ridwan Moyosore, a native of Ibadan, Oyo State and one Abdulsalam Ibrahim from Malete in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, over similar offence by Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin. The trio of Olaoye, Badmus and Abdulsalam, who were prosecuted on separately by the anti-graft agency pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Following their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Rasheedat Alao called witnesses who are operatives of the Commission to review the facts of the cases. According to the witness who testified against Olaoye, the defendant fraudulently defrauded one of his victims to the tune of $2,000 (Two Thousand United States Dollars), while the testimony against Badmus revealed that the defendant swindled his victim the sum of $200 (Two Hundred United States Dollars). In the same vein, the testimony against Abdulsalam was to the effect that he was involved in “sugar baby relationship scam” and that over N18million suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities passed through his account. The extra-judicial statements of the defendants, fraudulent documents printed from their devices and items recovered from them at the point of arrest were tendered and admitted in evidence. Also, thereafter urged the court to convict the defendants as charged. In her judgment, Justice Akinpelu held that the EFCC had established its cases against the defendants. Consequently, the court pronounced the defendants guilty. The judge sentenced Olaoye to a term of six months imprisonment with N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) as option of fine. The court also ordered that an iphone which he used to perpetrate the crime and the draft of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira), which he raised as restitution be forfeited to the Federal Government. Similarly, Justice Akinpelu sentenced Badmus to six months imprisonment with N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) as option of fine. Two phones and a laptop used by the convict to perpetrate the crime were also forfeited to the Federal Government. Similarly, Justice Akinpelu sentenced Abdulsalam to six months imprisonment with N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) as option of fine. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of a Toyota Camry Car, two phones and a laptop used by the convict as instrumentality of the crime to the Federal Government ex-rector-s-son-olaoye-two-others-jailed-for-cyber-fraud-in-ilorin ***************************************** 2 FEB 2022 Alleged $475,000 Fraud: Court Refuses Defendant's Bail Application Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on February 2, 2022, refused the bail application filed by one Chinedu Omesu, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, for defrauding an aged Asian-American lady of about $475,000. Operatives of the EFCC had arrested him on April 21, 2021 at James Court, Lekki, Lagos, following verified intelligence. He was accused of posing as one Ryan Frederick, a 58-year-old United States of America citizen on a mission in Syria, using the guise to defraud his victims. He was arraigned on August 6, 2021 on an 11-count charge bordering on possession of documents containing false pretence, forgery of documents, stealing, and obtaining under false pretence. One of the charges reads: "Omesu Christian Chinedu, on or about the 31st day of March 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and with intent to defraud, whilst holding yourself out as Frederick Leo Ryan, a serving military operative of the United States with Finnish descent, obtained the sum of $350,000 from one Soon Kim, under the pretence that the cheque of one Frederick Leo Ryan, in the same of $7,000,000 has been reviewed and confirmed by Zenith Bank, which pretence you knew to be false." He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges. In moving the bail application for the defendant, the defence raised issues of ill-health and that the defendant was also in the process of a plea bargain with the prosecution. However, the prosecuting counsel, Chineye Okezie, opposed the bail application, noting that the terms of a plea bargain were far from being fulfilled by the defendant, including the sale of a property traced to the defendant believed to be part of the proceeds of the crime. Okezie further argued that there was really nothing before the Court to support the claim of any serious ill-health that cannot be adequately handled in custody. "It's a known victim that is involved," Okezie added. Ruling on the bail application, Justice Taiwo noted the huge amount involved in the alleged fraud, and further emphasized that though the offences were bailable, the Court was inclined to uphold the opposition of the prosecution. Justice Taiwo held that: "I am inclined to decline bail until the property is sold." "Moreover, his sickness is not that serious." "The defence counsel should accelerate the sale of the property in order to facilitate the plea bargain agreement." "There is no medical report before the Court to support the claim that he is having a grave illness." "Application is hereby refused and he is ordered to remain in prison custody." "The prison officials are hereby ordered to ensure that the defendant receives proper medical attention." The press release contains a photo: alleged-475-000-fraud-court-refuses-defendant-s-bail-application ******************************************** 2 FEB 2022 Four Internet Fraudsters Bag Jail Terms in Lagos The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of the quartet of Aregbesola Peters, Onah Paul, Jimoh Olanrewaju and Ibrahim Olatunji for their involvement in internet fraud. The convicted internet fraudsters were arrested at the Lekki, Surulere, Obalende and Ikotun areas of Lagos, respectively. While Peters, who posed as an American woman to perpetrate dating and romance scam, and Paul were arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, Olanrewaju and Olatunji were arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja. Peters, who was charged with an amended two-count charge bordering on possession of false documents to perpetrate internet fraud, was arrested on October 8, 2021 along with some others involved in cybercrime, following actionable intelligence received by the Commission. An iPhone 11 Pro Max was recovered from Peters, who admitted to have benefitted $300. Paul, who was arrested on August 2, 2021 on a one-count charge, was accused of illegal online activities such as apartment scam. Under interrogation, he admitted to have benefitted $5,000. A gold iPhone was recovered from him. Upon his arrest in October 2021, Olanrewaju, who posed as a white woman based in Montreal, Canada,admitted to have benefitted $1,100 and was subsequently charged with one-count Olatunji, who was arrested on March 9, 2021 alongside 27 suspected internet fraudsters, was charged with three counts. He was accused of scamming his victims online by posing as a sex worker by the name Sonia. Though he lives in Nigeria, he claimed to be based in Texas, United States of America. An iPhone X was recovered from him, from which incriminating documents were printed out. They all pleaded "guilty" to the charges; and also urged the Court, through their lawyers, to temper justice with mercy. Consequently, they were convicted accordingly by the Courts. Peters and Paul were sentenced to one year imprisonment each. Following their respective allocutus, Peters got an option of N200,000 fine, while Paul got an option of N1million fine. Both were ordered by Justice Dada to, upon their release, sign a written undertaking with the EFCC to be of good behaviour and never to engage in financial crime. While Olanrewaju was sentenced to six months in prison with an option of N200,000 fine, Olatunji also bagged six months with an option of N250,000 fine. Items recovered from them were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government. The press release contains a photo: our-internet-fraudsters-bag-jail-terms-in-lagos **************************************** 2 FEB 2022 Court Jails Three for Internet Fraud in Makurdi The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Command, has secured the conviction of Onah Michael Owoicho, Ochigbo Monday Adakole and Ahmed Musa before Justice Abdu Dogo of the Federal High Court, Makurdi, Benue State, on separate one-count charges of criminal impersonation and obtaining money by false pretences. Michael, allegedly obtained the aggregate sum of N35 million through credit card fraud, while Monday, obtained N2.3million in Bitcoin fees from members of a Gay Group through a Gay Website. He had represented himself as a Gay "Sugar Daddy" on the platform and enticed members to pay a Bitcoin fee of $254 to access the $5,000 which he will send to them as allowance for a romp. Ahmed was nabbed for alleged ATM fraud. The offences contravene Section 33(1) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Act. The charge against Onah Michael Owoicho reads, "That you Onah Michael Owoicho "m" sometime in September, 2021 in Makurdi, Benue State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, fraudulently represented yourself to be an Online Credit Card Business person and obtained the aggregate sum of N35,082,668.87 (Thirty Five Million Eight Two Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty Eight Naira Eighty Seven Kobo) as financial gain and benefit to yourself which was paid into your crypto currency wallet account and which you transferred to your GT Bank account No. 0118182244 and UBA Bank account No. 2144289015, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 33(1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under same section of the Act". The defendants pleaded 'guilty' when the charges were read to them. The prosecution counsel, M. Yusuf reviewed the facts of the cases and urged the Court to convict the defendants. In a separate judgment, Justice Dogo convicted and sentenced Owoicho to one (1) year imprisonment with an option of fine of N3.5 Million. His Lexus ES 350 car, Samsung Galaxy A51 and Techno T662 mobile phones and monies in the two bank accounts used in committing the crime were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government. Adakole was sentenced to one (1) year imprisonment with an option of fine of N1.5 Million. He was also ordered to forfeit a Toyota Camry car 2009 model and monies in four bank accounts used in commuting the crime, to the Federal Government. Musa bagged Six month (6) imprisonment with an option of fine of N250, 000. The press release contains photos of two of the three 419ers: court-jails-three-for-internet-fraud-in-makurdi ***************************************** 1 FEB 2022 Two Varsity Students Jailed for Cybercrime in Ilorin Two students of the Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete, Animasahun Rokeeb Mayowa and Lawal Alamin Tewogbola were on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 convicted and sentenced to various jail terms by Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin for offences bordering on cyber-fraud. The duo of Animasahun and Lawal, who are natives of Oyo and Offa in Oyo and Kwara States, respectively were prosecuted on separate charge by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges against them. Following their plea, counsel to the EFCC, Rasheedat Alao, through Salaudeen Abdulrasaq and Kaludeen Yahaya, who are operatives of the Commission reviewed the facts of the cases against Animasahun and Lawal. The witnesses told the court how intelligence reports led to the arrest of the defendants in Malete Area of Kwara State with several incriminating documents. Several documents including their extra-judicial statements and iPhones were tendered and admitted in evidence. Alao thereafter urged the court to consider the plea of the defendants, the extra-judicial statements, and exhibits tendered and convict them as charged. Justice Akinpelu in her judgment agreed that the prosecution had established its case against each of the defendants. Consequently, he pronounced them guilty. The judge sentenced Animasahun to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira ). The court ordered that a Toyota Camry Car 2007 model, which was recovered from him at the point of arrest and the iPhone which he used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. Similarly, Justice Akinpelu sentenced Lawal to six months imprisonment on each of the two counts against him, which would run concurrently with option of N100,00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira ) fine on each count. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the sum of $225 (Two Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars), which he benefited from the crime and iPhone 6, which was used as instrumentality for the crime, to the Federal Government. The press release contains photos pf booth 419ers: two-varsity-students-jailed-for-cybercrime-in-ilorin ************************************* 28 JAN 2022 Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters in Lagos The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on January 28, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters, Sunday Gbenga and Ayomikun Jide Maxwell, for internet fraud before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. Gbenga, who pleaded "guilty" to the amended one-count charge bordering on the use of fraudulent documents to perpetrate internet fraud, was among the suspected internet fraudsters arrested at the Conference Hotel, Abeokuta, Ogun State at a purported Awards Night party on November 28, 2021, following intelligence report obtained by the EFCC. Upon his arrest, an iPhone 13 mobile phone was recovered from him and the fraudulent documents contained therein, which he used to perpetrate internet fraud, were printed out. Maxwell was arrested on August 12, 2021 at the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos State by operatives of the EFCC, following actionable intelligence received by the Commission about the activities of suspected internet fraudsters around the area. Upon his arrest, an iPhone 6 was also recovered from him, from which incriminating materials confirming his involvement in internet fraud were printed out. Specifically, he poses as a white female sex worker who charges $150 per hour and whose services can only be procured after paying 50 per cent of the charges. However, as soon as he receives the payment, he blocks the person, thereby cutting off any further communication. He was charged with an amended four-count charge, to which he pleaded "guilty". Subsequently, Justice Dada found them guilty as charged and sentenced them to one year in prison. They were both given an option of N250, 000 as fine. In addition, they are all to sign a bond with the EFCC upon their release to be of good behaviour and not to engage in any form of economic and financial crime within and outside the shores of Nigeria. The items recovered from them were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government. court-jails-two-internet-fraudsters-in-lagos ********************************************* 27 JAN 2022 Three Bag Jail Terms For Internet Fraud In Lagos The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, January 27, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of the trio of Raheem Sodiq Morenikeji, Adetunji Stephen Ademola and Okpala Samuel for internet fraud before Justice S.O. Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. The convicts were arrested sometime in May 2021 at the Sangotedo, Alagbado and Meiran areas of Lagos State, respectively. Raheem was charged with an amended count in which he was accused of defrauding his victim through deception to the tune of $2,000 and another N54, 000 as a picker. Under interrogation, he admitted to have purchased a Toyota Camry 2013 model in the name of his mother, which was recovered from him. An iPhone 7x was also recovered from him. On his part, Ademola who was also charged with an amended one-count charge, following a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution, was accused of posing online as "Tina Moore" and "Jessica", to defraud his victims to the tune of $2,000. Upon arrest, an iPhone 11 Pro Max was recovered from him. Okpala, who also approached the EFCC for a plea bargain, was charged with a one-count amended charge in which he was accused of posing on F acebook as Jane Michelle Gregor living in Texas, through which he professed love to one Roberto, who was actually living in Minnesota, United States. He lured Roberto into a romantic relationship and was able to receive $600 from him purportedly for feeding and payment for school fees. An iPhone 11 and bontel phone were recovered from him upon arrest. They all “pleaded guilty” to the charges, and also pleaded with the Court to temper justice with mercy. Subsequently, Justice Solebo found the defendants guilty as charged and sentenced them to one year in prison. While Raheem was given an option of N500,000 fine, Ademola got N1million option of fine, and Okpala was given an option of N400,000 fine. In addition, they are all to sign a bond with the EFCC upon their release to be of good behaviour and not to engage in any form of economic and financial crime. Raheem and Ademola were also ordered to serve 500 hours of community service, while Okpala got 400 hours. They were also ordered to forfeit to the Federal Government all the items recovered from them. three-bag-jail-terms-for-internet-fraud-in-lagos **************************************** 27 JAN 2022 EFCC Secures Conviction of Six Internet Fraudsters The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, secured the conviction of six internet fraudsters on charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation. Five of the convicts - Ahmed Oguneye Abiona, Owoade Kehinde Elijah, Oriade Sunday Oluwatobiloba, Usman Adams Shehu, and Waris Adegoke Adeyemo - were prosecuted before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Oshogbo, Osun State, while David Fatunla Taiwo (aka Jeff Wood), was prosecuted before Justice Babs Kuewunmi of the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. They pleaded guilty to their respective one-count charges and were convicted accordingly. Abiona, Adeyemo and Shehu bagged four months each, Owoade three months, while Oriade was sentenced to five months imprisonment. Taiwo was slammed with twenty months imprisonment. The court also ordered the defendants to restitute their victims. Oriade is to restitute his victim the sum of $590USD (Five Hundred and Ninety United States Dollars). He was equally ordered to forfeit an iPhone XR, one Samsung S5 mobile phone and one Acer Laptop to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Ahmed is to restitute to one Michael Johnson the sum of $500USD (Five Hundred United States Dollars) and further forfeit the sum of Three Million, Thirteen Thousand, Seven Naira, Thirty-nine kobo (N3, 013,007.39) found in his United Bank of Africa Account, an iPhone 11 Pro Max mobile phone and one Toyota Camry car to the Federal Government of Nigeria, being proceeds of his crime. Adeyemo was ordered to return the sum of $300USD (Three Hundred United States Dollars) to one Peter Decker and forfeit one iPhone 11 Pro Max to Federal Government of Nigeria. Shehu is to restitute his victim the sum of $400USD (Four Hundred United States Dollars) and forfeit one Samsung Galaxy S8 to Federal Government of Nigeria. Owoade was ordered to restitute his victim the sum of $300USD (Three Hundred United States Dollars) and forfeit an iPhone 6 mobile phone to Federal Government of Nigeria. Taiwo was ordered to restitute his victim, one Joanne K. Thornhill, the sum of £450(Four and Hundred and Fifty Pounds) through the Federal government of Nigeria. The press release includes photos of four of the six 419ers: efcc-secures-conviction-of-six-internet-fraudsters ************************************* 26 JAN 2022 EFCC Arrests Suspected Internet Fraudster in Lagos Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested one Michael Jackson for his alleged involvement in internet fraud. He was arrested on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, following the credible intelligence received by the Commission on the illegal activities of some individuals allegedly involved in computer- related fraud. Jackson, who poses as Ella, a transgender woman, allegedly defrauded unsuspecting victims of millions of Naira. The suspect, who also claimed to be a Disc Jockey, DJ, had in his possession fetish items, which he claimed was "for grace and success." Upon his arrest, one Toyota 4-runner, one Honda Accord, two laptop computers, a MacBook and a mobile device were recovered from him. The suspect will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The press release contains a photo: efcc-arrests-suspected-internet-fraudster-in-lagos *************************************** 26 JAN 2022 Absence of Defence Counsel Stalls Suspect's Arraignment in Alleged €211, 000 Fraud The arraignment of one Ifekwu Chukwuma Dominic by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, before Justice S.O. Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining by false pretence, and possession of documents containing false pretence was stalled due to the absence of the defence counsel. One of the counts reads: "Ifekwu Chukwuma Dominic, aka John Alfred, and Okechukwu, aka Connie Miller (at large), between 2014 and 2017, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud,obtained the aggregate sum of 211,000 Euros from Imelda Dorflinger under the false representation that you, Ifekwe Chukwuma Dominic, had inherited gold from your father and needed the said money to pay taxes in order to enable you to have access to the gold, a representation you knew to be false." Another count reads: "Ifekwu Chukwuma Dominic (aka John Alfred), on or about 22nd June 2016, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and with intent to defraud, had in your possession a document titled: "Cashier Cheque", where you falsely represented to Imelda Dorflinger that you have been issued a cheque valued at $590,000.00 and which document you knew contained false information." Though the prosecuting counsel, I.O. Daramola, and the defendant were in court, the defence counsel was absent. The case has been adjourned till May 10, 2022. The press release includes a photo: absence-of-defence-counsel-stalls-suspect-s-arraignment-in-alleged-211-000-fraud ******************************************** 25 JAN 2022 Court Jails Internet Fraudster One Year in Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Dadeowo Hassan before Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a two-count amended charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents used to perpetrate internet fraud. Count one reads: "Dadeowo Hassan, on or about the 4th day of May, 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession a document titled MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR, which was printed out of your email address rdhfdfgd21@gmail.com." The second count reads: "Dadeowo Hassan, on or about the 4th day of May 2021 in Lagos , within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession a document titled MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR, which was printed from your Hewlett-Packard laptop from a website called UNICC, where you purchased American Citizen social security number." He pleaded "guilty" to the charges. Following his plea, the prosecuting counsel, M.S. Owede, gave a review of the facts of the case. According to him, sometime in May 2021, the EFCC received intelligence report on the activities of internet fraudsters operating at Victoria Garden City, VGC, Lagos. "Sequel to the intelligence, surveillance was carried out, and this defendant was arrested, with his tools of trade: iPhone X, iPhone 12 Pro Max, a Nokia phone, and a Hewlett-Packard laptop," he said. Owede further told the Court that investigation was extended to his email address and documents evidencing false pretence were discovered and printed out in his presence, which he also endorsed. He, thereafter, tendered in evidence the statement made to the EFCC in the course of the investigation, the bundle of documents printed out from the defendant's email and a cheque of N500,000 issued by the defendant as part of a plea bargain agreement brought before the Court, which was agreed to by both parties. The documents were admitted in evidence against him and marked Exhibits P1a, P1b, P1c, P1d, P2, P3, P4 and P5. Justice Abike-Fadipe, thereafter, found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to one year in prison, with an option of N1million fine and 40 hours of community service. He is to forfeit to the Federal Government the devices recovered from him, including the N500,000 bank draft. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-jails-internet-fraudster-one-year-in-lagos ****************************************** 24 JAN 2022 Spare Parts Dealer, One Other Jailed for Cyber Fraud in Ilorin Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Monday, January 24, 2022 convicted an Ilorin-based spare parts dealer, Tiamiyu Hammed and one Kamarudeen Olarewaju Ibrahim for offences bordering on cybercrime and possession of fraudulent funds. The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned the duo of Tiamiyu and Kamarudeen on separate one and two-count charges, respectively before the court. Tiamiyu, 23, who claimed to be from Ogbomosho South-East Local Government of Oyo State, allegedly disguised as one Sarah Ben, a white female of Colorado, United States, to swindle one Todd Byers of $600 vide gift cards in contravention of Section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Penal Code. On the other hand, the EFCC in one of the counts, accused Kamarudeen of having under his control a sum of N679,450.00 (Six Hundred and Seventy Nine Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira) unlawfully obtained and paid into his account by one of the new generation banks. The offence contravenes Section 319 (a) of the Penal Code and punishable under same Section of the Penal Code. The two defendants pleaded guilty to the charges against them. Following their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Andrew Akoja, called witnesses who are operatives of the Commission to review the facts of each case. The witnesses narrated how intelligence led to the arrest of the defendants. They tendered documents and materials recovered from the defendants during investigation as evidence. Akoja, thereafter urged the court to convict the defendants as charged based on their admittance of guilt and the overwhelming evidence against them. In her judgment, Justice Akinpelu said the court has carefully considered the 'guilty plea' entered by the defendants, the testimonies of the witnesses and the evidence tendered against the defendants. Consequently, she pronounced the two defendants guilty. The court sentenced Tiamiyu to six months imprisonment with N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) as option of fine. The Judge also ordered the forfeiture of iphone 11 which the convict used as instrument to perpetrate the crime. He would also forfeit the sum of $600 (Six Hundred Dollars) cash, which he brought as restitution to the Federal Government. Similarly, Justice Akinpelu sentenced Kamarudeen to six months imprisonment on the two counts against him with option of fine N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on each count. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of iphone 11pro max and hp laptop, which the convict allegedly used to perpetrate the crime. The convict would also forfeit the draft of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira Only) to the Federal Government. spare-parts-dealer-one-other-jailed-for-cyber-fraud-in-ilorin ***************************************** 21 JAN 2022 Court Jails Internet Fraudster One Year In Lagos The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, January 21, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Raji Olasunkanmi to one year imprisonment for possession of fraudulent documents used to perpetrate internet fraud before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. Operatives of the Commission, acting on the intelligence, had arrested him along with some other suspected internet fraudsters on August 13, 2021 around the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos. Following further investigation, he was brought to court and charged with one-count amended charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents. He pleaded "guilty" to the amended charge. The prosecuting counsel, Ebareotu Pereagbe, thereafter, informed the Court of a plea bargain agreement between the prosecution and the defence, which was also before the Court. "We urge the Court to adopt the same," he said, as he went on to review the facts of the case. According to him, an iPhone 8 was found on the defendant, which upon analysis indicated that the defendant was engaged in internet fraud. "Upon interrogation, he admitted that he had benefitted the sum of $1,300 from his victims," Pereagbe added. Subsequently, he tendered as exhibits the defendant's statement to the EFCC, the documents printed out of his device, and a manager's cheque of N280, 000 issued by the defendant as part of the plea bargain. The documents were admitted by the Court as Exhibit P to P3. Thereafter, defence counsel, Pentecost Chukwunalu, prayed the Court to temper justice with mercy. Consequently, Justice Dada pronounced him guilty as charged and sentenced him to one year in prison. He was, however, given an option of N1million fine. The items recovered from him were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government. Upon release from prison, he is to sign a written undertaking not to be involved in crime. The press release contains a photo of the 419er: court-jails-internet-fraudster-one-year-in-lagos ****************************************** 19 JAN 2022 EFCC Arrests 8 for Internet Fraud in Makurdi Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Command, have arrested 8 suspects for alleged involvement in computer-related fraud. The suspects are: Okoha Chinedu Charles, Chibuizor Philip Nnake, Emmanuela Odeh Eneokpe, Ushir Terhile John, Okoro Ossico Osaro, Ejiofor Chibuizor, Wandoo Juliet Baru and Tarbee Destinies. They were arrested on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 during an operation by operatives of the Commission in Makurdi, Benue State. The suspects will be charged to Court as soon as investigations are concluded. The press release includes a photo: efcc-arrests-8-for-internet-fraud-in-makurdi ***************************************** 19 JAN 2022 Court Convicts Two Fraudsters in Asaba The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday January 17, 2022 secured the conviction of two internet fraudsters before Justice F. O. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State. The defendants, Okunrobo Smart and Osayi Casmir Osaruonameh were arraigned on one count charge of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The duo were said to have misrepresented their identities to defraud unsuspecting foreign nationals. The charge against Osaruonamen reads, "that you Osayi Casmir Osaruonamen (m) sometime between January and 12th of September, 2021 at Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, sent electronic message which materially misrepresented your identity to Thejasminecarter, a lady in the United States of America upon which she relied and suffered financial loss in the sum of $15,047 and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015". Upon arraignment the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, I. K. Agwai prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However, the defence counsel, Matthew Adebola however urged the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first time offenders who have become remorseful for their actions. Justice Olubanjo convicted and sentenced the defendants to five years imprisonment with option of a fine of N1 million each. In addition, the defendants are to forfeit the balance in their various bank accounts as well as their phones and an apple wrist watch to the Federal Government of Nigeria. They are also to undertake in writing to be of good behavior henceforth. The press release contains photos of both 419ers: court-convicts-two-fraudsters-in-asaba ******************************************* 15 JAN 2022 Court Jails Four for Cyber-fraud in Enugu The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday January l4, 2022, secured the conviction of four internet fraudsters also known as Yahoo Boys before Justice F. O. Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court Enugu, Enugu State on charges bordering on forgery and impersonation to defraud. Three of the convicts are: Orji Okpara Chimaobi, Ngene Emmanuel and Okechukwu Kelvin were sentenced to 2 years in prison with option of fine of One Million Naira each, while Eneh Nelson Chukwudire was sentenced to one year with option of One Million Naira fine The press release contains photos of all four 419ers: court-jails-four-for-cyber-fraud-in-enugu ******************************************** 13 JAN 2022 Fake Lawyer in EFCC Net For Forgery, Impersonation Operatives of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a fake lawyer, Adekola Adekeye, whose stock-in-trade is forging documents to perpetrate fraud. Adekeye’s travail began on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 when he came to the Lagos Command of EFCC posing as a lawyer to secure the bail of a suspected fraudster who is in the Commission's custody. However, nemesis caught up with Adekeye, when investigators dug in further to verify the documents he tendered to secure the bail of the suspected fraudster. A search at his residence further unearthed several forged documents dating back to 2005, including forged Lagos State University and Kwara State College of Education documents. He also claimed to be the owner of "A.A. Emmanuel & Co. Chambers”, which he had been using to perpetrate frauds until his arrest. He will soon be arraigned in court. Meanwhile, the Commission will continue to ensure that such impostors using fake personalities and documents to procure the bail of suspects are made to face the wrath of the Law. The press release includes a photo: fake-lawyer-in-efcc-net-for-forgery-impersonation ***************************************** 12 JAN 2022 Five Convicted Fraudsters in Abeokuta to Return $4,641 to Victims The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, January 10, 2022, secured the conviction of five fraudsters who were ordered to return a total of $4,641 to their victims before Justice Ayokunle Rotimi-Balogun of Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta. The convicts are: Opeyemi Oluwaseun Ayede (a.k.a Mary Mark, Nicolete Shea), Taiwo Adeniyi Onasanya (a.k.a Fred Howard),Winner Chuks Olubor(a.k.a Tracy Richards), Sodiq Olamide Ganiu(a.k.a Rosemary) and Adebowale Taofeek Jimoh (a.k.a Schulist Carleen). They were convicted and sentenced to four months imprisonment each, for the offence of obtaining money under false pretences, contrary to section 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State,2000. The court also ordered the convicts to restitute their victims. Ayede is to restitute the total sum of $1,000USD (One Thousand United States Dollars) to his victim, Robert Smith through the Federal Government of Nigeria. He equally forfeits one iPhone 12 Pro Max mobile phone and a Lexus RX350 to Federal Government of Nigeria, being proceeds of crime. Onasanya was ordered to restitute his victims – Hannah Pane, Mr. Roland and Carolyn Donna the sum of $2,000USD(Two Thousand United States Dollars) and forfeit one iPhone XR and a Toyota Corolla 2012 model salon car to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Similarly, Olubor is to restitute his victim the sums of $591USD (Five Hundred and Ninety One United States Dollars) He was equally ordered to forfeit to the Federal Government of Nigeria, one Iphone 11 Pro Max and one Black Wrist iwatch series 3. Ganiu is to pay the sum of $50USD (Fifty United States Dollars) to his victims, while Adebowale will return the sum of $1,000USD (One Thousand United States Dollars) to his victims-Donnie Wortham and Ossie Savaria. The press release includes photos of all 5 419ers: five-convicted-fraudsters-in-abeokuta-to-return-4-641-to-victims ********************************************** 10 JAN 2022 Court Adjourns Suspected Internet Fraudster’s Trial Till March 14 Justice S.O. Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, January 10, 2022, adjourned till March 14, 2022 for adoption of written addresses in the case involving one Alogba Afeez Olaoluwa. Olaoluwa, who is being prosecuted by the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on internet fraud and possession of fraudulent documents on March 23, 2020 to which he pleaded "not guilty". The charge reads: "That you, Alogba Afeez Olaoluwa, sometime in 2016 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly had in your possession documents containing false pretence to wit: email conversation, wherein you held yourself out as Robbie Courtney." At today's proceeding, Olaoluwa took to the dock to defend himself. Led in evidence by his counsel, Daniel Yeri, he claimed that he was coerced into giving the statement he volunteered during interrogation by operatives of the EFCC. "After the statement, I was charged to court and I pleaded not guilty to clear my name," he said. Under cross-examination by the prosecuting counsel, A.O. Mohammed, the defendant admitted that he was arrested on March 7, 2020 and that he gave his statement on March 8, 2020. Mohammed confronted him with Exhibit A, his statement to the EFCC, and Exhibit B, the documents printed out from his email. During the cross-examination, he also admitted to having pretended to be a female by the name Robbie Courtney, which he also admitted to in his statement to the EFCC. The case was, thereafter, adjourned till March 14, 2022 for adoption of written addresses. court-adjourns-suspected-internet-fraudster-s-trial-till-march-14 *************************************** 10 JAN 2022 EFCC Recovers N152Bn, $386m in 2021 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in continuation of the review of its operational activities for 2021 has disclosed that it recovered the aggregate sum of N152, 088,698,751.64, (One Hundred and Fifty-two Billion, Eighty-eight Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty-one Naira, Sixty-four Kobo), $386,220,202.84 ( Three Hundred and Eighty-six Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Two Hundred and Two Dollar, Eighty-four Cent), £1, 182,519.75 ( One Million, One Hundred and Eighty-two Thousand, Five Hundred and Nineteen Pounds, €156,246.76( One Hundred and Fifty-six Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-six Euro), 1,723,310.00 Saudi Riyal, 1,900.00 South African Rand, and 1, 400.00 Canadian Dollar between January and December 2021. The recovery basket also included a digital currency component with 5, 36957319 Bitcoin and 0.09012 Ethereum. Headquarters Operation dominated the recoveries with N67, 249, 744, 994.89, $375,662,223.59 and £1,151,539.75. It is closely followed by the Lagos Command which led the Naira recoveries with N70, 315,611,260.52, $9,286,497.83 and £21,500.00. The Kaduna Zonal Command emerged third in terms of Naira recoveries with a total sum of N3, 339,405,723.93 while the Ibadan Zonal Command took the same position in terms of Dollar recoveries to the tune of $387,385.00. Giving an overview of the performance, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, explained that the monies included direct and indirect recoveries for the different tiers of government (Federal, State and Local Governments), corporate organizations and individuals ( victims of crime) within the year under review. He commended the personnel of the Commission for the performance while urging them to redouble their efforts to ensure that perpetrators of economic and financial crimes are denied the benefit of the proceeds of crime. efcc-recovers-n152bn-386m-in-2021 419 Coalition comment: We'd like to know specifically how much was recovered from Advance Fee Fraud (419) criminals, and, of that amount, specifically how much has been verifiably repatriated and paid out to 419 victims. One would think that EFCC would surely be glad to report those figures, after all. ***************************************** 6 JAN 2022 EFCC Secures 2,220 Convictions in 2021 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, secured a total of 2220 (Two Thousand Two Hundred and Twenty) convictions across all its Commands in 2021. The figure which emerged from a review of the Commission's performance in the outgone year, shows that the Lagos Command of the Agency recorded the most convictions-481, closely followed by the Ibadan Command with 324 convictions, while the Port Harcourt Zonal Command had 230 convictions. The conviction secured by the Commission in 2021 is the highest by the EFCC Since inception. Before 2021, the highest record of conviction by the Commission was secured in 2019 with 1280 convictions. The 2220 record of 2021 is a 127.5 % improvement over the 2019 record. Interestingly too, the 2220 record represents a 98.49% success rate i n prosecution as the Commission lost only 34 cases during this period. Commenting on the performance, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, commended the personnel of the Commission for their industry and dedication despite the challenges of criminal prosecution in court. He assured that the EFCC will continue to motivate all categories of staff for greater efficiency through capacity development and other incentives. efcc-secures-2-220-convictions-in-2021 ********************************

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