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 the Edo State High Court, Benin City.
The convicted, namely Amogie Julius, Omogbon Friday Harry, Osaze Okoro, Lucky Tegiri and Omokhua Destiny were, arraigned on one-count charge each for fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretense. They were said to have sometimes between 2020 and 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 impersonate 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.
