Court sentences six for internet fraud in Calabar

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Court sentences six for internet fraud in Calabar

The Federal High Court, Calabar, Cross River State on Friday sentenced six internet fraudsters to six months in prison for criminal impersonation, love scam and identity theft.

The convicts were charged to court by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on two separate charges, to which they pleaded guilty.

In a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the convicts are Chibo Udoka (aka Zxoya Andric, Kelly Rose, Chimata Harry), John Inimfon Okpokpo ( Grace Boar), Emediong Ekerete Bassey (aka Thiwe Ploka), Otu Ginikachi Samuel (alias Chris Hemsworth), Goodluck John Bassey (aka Tom Jones) and Asogwa Ifebuche Lukas (alias Daniela Crystal).

The statement explained that the judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu ruled, ”That you, Otu Ginikachi Samuel (aka Chris Hemsworth) sometime in 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court fraudulently presented yourself as Chris Hemsworth (a United States of American Citizen) to Tymoshenko Anatoly Grihorovych (Ukrainian Citizen) on Facebook with fraudulent intent, gained advantage of the sum of N1, 000, 000 (One Million Naira) for yourself from the said Tymoshenko Anatoly Grihorovych and thereby committed the offence of identity theft contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (0) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2024 and punishable under 22 (b) (iv) of the same Act.

“‘That you Chibo Udoka Mgborogwu (aka Zoya Andric, Kelly Rose Chimata Harry), sometime in 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented yourself as ZOYA ANDRIC, KELLY ROSE CHIMATA HARRY on Social Media platform (Whatsapp, Instagram) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b)0) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Amendment Act 2024 and punishable under Section 22(b) (iv) of the same Act”.

The statement added, ” The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them and based on their pleas, prosecution counsel, Khamis Mahmud prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, but the defence counsels Udeme Tom, Innocent Ekeize and Henry Effiong prayed the court for lighter sentences for the defendants, on the ground that they were first-time offenders.