The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of three internet fraudsters.
The agency in a statement issued Friday said the convicts were first arraigned on September 29, 2023, before Justice Nnadi O. Dimgba of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State on one -count separate charges bordering on impersonation and attempt to obtain money by false pretences.
The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested by the Enugu Command of the agency for internet-related offences.
They were charged to court and convicted.
The suspects were: Anyanwu Prince Uzoma, Okume Clinton Chukwuemeka and Jude Onyecachi.
The lone-count reads: “That you, Jude Onyekachi, sometime in the year 2023 at Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated one Wilfred Baston from United States by means of your IPhone 11 via fake Google chat account with the intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(3) (a) & (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(4) of the same Act”.
They all pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
Justice Dimgba thereafter convicted and sentenced them to one year imprisonment each.
The Judge however gave them an option of fine of N150, 000 each , and also ruled that all the recovered items from the convicts be forfeited to the federal government.