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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of three internet fraudsters in Kaduna, with the court ordering the forfeiture of cash and mobile devices used in perpetrating their crimes.
Justice A. Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court delivered the judgment, sentencing Aliyu Hassan, Samuel Olamide and Solomon Joseph Christian to five years’ imprisonment each, with an option of a N300,000 fine.
The convictions followed their prosecution by the EFCC on separate one-count charges bordering on criminal impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
The trio pleaded guilty to the charges.
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Beyond the jail terms, the court ordered the forfeiture of proceeds and tools of the crimes to the federal government.
Hassan forfeited N90,000 and a Samsung Galaxy Note 8; Olamide forfeited a Samsung Galaxy S21; while Christian forfeited an iPhone 14 Pro and $150.
Investigations by the EFCC revealed that the convicts used social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, to impersonate foreign nationals and defraud unsuspecting victims.
The suspects were arrested in the Agwa, Kudende area of Kaduna following credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent online activities.
The Head of Media and Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said the convictions highlighted the commission’s sustained crackdown on cybercrime and its commitment to ensuring that illicit gains and instruments of crime are recovered from offenders.
