The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of four internet fraudsters in Abuja.
Abdulrashid Umar, Ekemini Godwin, Anozie Emmanuel, and Freedom John were jailed by Justice M. Adamu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, on separate one-count charges of obtaining by false pretence.
The convicts pleaded guilty to the charges, which included pretending to be foreign nationals on social media to deceive victims into sending them money.
Ekemini Godwin pretended to be Ryan Williams from the US and obtained $520 from a victim in Pennsylvania, while Anozie Emmanuel pretended to be Scammerpayback, a recovery person, and obtained $300 from a victim in Kyrgyzstan.
Justice Adamu sentenced Abdulrashid Umar to one year in prison or a N300,000 fine. Ekemini Godwin, Anozie Emmanuel, and Freedom John were sentenced to two years imprisonment each, with fines ranging from N300,000 to N800,000.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture of all phones used in their crimes to the Federal Government.
The convicts were arrested for internet-related offences and subsequently charged and convicted.
This outcome demonstrates the EFCC’s commitment to combating cybercrime and bringing perpetrators to justice.
