Operatives from the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended thirty-six (36) suspected internet fraudsters across various locations in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The suspects were arrested on 11 October following actionable intelligence that linked them to suspected online criminal activities.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the individuals had been impersonating foreign nationals on social media platforms to defraud unsuspecting victims.
Recovered items from the suspects include eight luxury vehicles, as well as high-end mobile phones and laptops.
The suspects are expected to be charged in court as soon as investigations are completed.
In a separate case, Justices Hawaa Buhari and R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna convicted and sentenced three individuals—Owoyale Shuaib, known as Mary Lisa Goklool; Oluwafemi Moses Oluwatosin, known as Douglas Chiater; and Wisdom Sambo Sammy, known as Prudent Jameson—to various prison terms for fraud.
The trio faced prosecution by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on separate one-count charges related to impersonation and cybercrimes.
The charge against Shuaib reads: “That you, Owoyale Shuaib (a.k.a Mary Lisa Goklool), Male, sometime in 2024 in Minna, Niger State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, fraudulently made use of Mary Lisa Goklool unique identification feature to one R.r.r (a Spanish Citizen) on Facebook chat (an online social media application) and in that assumed character gained advantage to yourself in the total sum of $20 USD (Twenty United States Dollar) from him, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (a) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.”
That of Sammy reads: “That you Wisdom Sambo Sammy (a.k.a Prudent James) (M) Sometime in 2024 at Minna, Niger State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, fraudulently impersonated one Prudent James, on Facebook, (an online social media application) 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.”
All the defendants pleaded “guilty” to the charges presented to them. In response, prosecution counsel M.J. Argungu urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Buhari sentenced Shuaib and Oluwatosin to four and two years in prison, respectively, or the option to pay a fine of N500,000 each. Meanwhile, Justice Aikawa imposed a five-year prison sentence on Sammy, with the same fine of N500,000 as an alternative.
In addition to their prison sentences, the convicts forfeited their phones, which were deemed the instruments of their crimes, to the federal government.
The convicts were apprehended in their hideout in Minna, following credible intelligence regarding their fraudulent internet activities.
