The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured the conviction of 23 internet fraudsters before Justice F. Riman at the Federal High Court sitting at Awka Anambra State.
They were convicted on separate charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation on Thursday.
The convicts are: Desmond James(aka Chris James, Fidelis Mmadukaego), Elechukwu Chukwuebuka Michael, Kingsley Okorie(aka George Wilson), Chinonso Edwin Aguh, Ebere Arinze Emmanuel, Nelson Nnaji Odoh, Chukwuebuka Michael, Ogbe Christopher Arinze, Raymond Chinaza.
Others include Ogbe Samuel Chukwuebuka, Chinonso james, Odoh Emmanuel Emeje, Edeh Johnson, Chidiebere Henry, Philip Chigozie Ude, Kelechi ibeh, Ifeanyi Ozo Bright, Udeh Isaiah Chukwuemeka, Uchenna Nnebedum, Christian Peter Obaje (a.k.a lina_fendom), Ogbe Joshua Ugochukwu, Chukwudi Christian Onuonicha, .
The charge against Desmond James (a.k.a. Chris James, Fidelis Mmadukaego) reads: “that you Desmond James(a.k.a. Chris James, Fidelis Mmadukaego) sometime in 2023 at Enugu State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated Chris James of the United States by means of your Tecno pop Pro mobile phone, via a fake Facebook account with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspected 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”.
The Charge against Kingsley Okorie (aka George Wilson) reads “that you Kingsley Okorie(aka George Wilson)sometime in 2023 at Enugu, Enugu State. within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, fraudulently impersonated George Wilson from United States by means of your Huwei mobile phone via your fake telegram account with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreigners and thereby committed an offense 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”.
All the 23 defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them. The court convicted and sentenced them to six months imprisonment each.
