No fewer than four suspected internet fraudsters have been convicted by Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna, on separate one count charge bordering on internet fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission secured the conviction on Monday on its Twitter handle.
The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Ogbu (aka Ewelina Ruminska), Cornelius Oyathekhua (aka Collins Fredrick), Daniel Emmanuel (aka Bob Matson) and Timmy Ebenezer.
It was learnt that the defendants were arrested in different locations in Kaduna,
The release said, “The charge against Cornelius Oyathekhua reads, "Cornelius Oyathekhua ( aka Collins Fredrick) Male, sometime in May, 2023 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court impersonated one Collins Fredrick (an American Military Personnel) on Facebook and in such assumed character cheated one Amander Lawler of the sum of $300 Dollars ( Three Hundred Dollars) when you calmed to be in a romantic relationship with her which you knew to be false and 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”.
“While Daniel Emmanuel's charge reads, “Daniel Emmanuel ( aka Bob Matson) sometime in June, 2023 in Kaduna within the judicial division of the High Court with intent to defraud falsely presented yourself as one Bob Matson, United States of America (USA) citizen and in such assumed character cheated unsuspecting victims the sum of $200 Dollars ( Two Hundred Dollars) on Instagram and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 142 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017 and punishable under the same law”.
“The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them. Consequently, the prosecuting counsel, E.K. Garba, M.E Eimonye, Y.J Matiyak and M.U Gadaka, urged the court to convict them accordingly.
“However, Justice Khobo convicted and sentenced them to 2 years imprisonment or a fine of N150,000 each. They are to further forfeit all proceeds of crime and devices recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”