Five undergraduates convicted for internet-related fraud in Kaduna—EFCC

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said it has secured the conviction of five undergraduates of various tertiary institutions – Chidebere Stanley Opara (Avail Hollywood), Manasseh Sefa Ephraim (aka Felicia_dannyels), Victor Odeh (aka Christopher Anderson), Chukwukere Obinna Paul ( aka Shaun Lee) and  Enyogu Etim Ekpo (aka Henry Wilson; JASDAV7) before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court on one count separate charge bordering on internet fraud. They were all arrested in a sting operation in Kaduna. Investigation revealed how they created fictitious accounts on various social media platforms to defraud unsuspecting victims, mostly foreigners.

The charge against Chidebere Stanley Opara alleges that the defendant, “sometime in May, 2023 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated one Avail Hollywood (an American Citizen) on “Google Chat ” (an online social media application) and in such assumed character cheated one Duke Hardy””. The offence is contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law. Victor Oche Odeh is alleged to have, “between  January and July, 2023 in Kaduna  within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence ,to wit: cheating by  Impersonation and in such an attempt falsely presented yourself as one Christopher Anderson (a white man from Denver, Colorado, USA) to one Rhonda Evans on ‘facebook’ (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 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law”.

They pleaded guilty to their respective charges. In the light of their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, E.K Garba, M. E Eimonye and K.S Ogunlade urged the court to convict them accordingly. Justice Khobo convicted and sentenced the defendants to two years imprisonment with an option of N150,000 fine each. They are to further forfeit all proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.