Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has convicted and sentenced an 18-year-old tailor, Wisdom Osazuwa, and a student, Oyegun Osadebamwen Godwin, to jail for internet fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed this in Tuesday statement obtained by The Herald.
According to the statement, the judge convicted and sentenced the duo on Friday, July 14.
The EFCC said that the convicts were arraigned separately on one count charge of unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by its Benin Zonal Command.
The EFCC said that upon arraignment the duo pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Salihu Ahmed, to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
“Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Osazuwa and Oyegun to three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 each.
“The convicts’ journey to prison began following their arrest based on actionable intelligence for their involvement in internet fraud. Godwin confessed that he started crypto currency fraud in 2022 and has impersonated several individuals online including Darcy,” the EFCC said.
The EFCC further said that Louis Osadolor, a 24-year-old internet fraudster was on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment by Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin.
The anti-graft agency said Osadolor was prosecuted on a one-count charge bordering on fraudulent impersonation.
He impersonated the identity of Jucastrotrradefit, a Brazilian woman and Bitcoin Trader with intent to defraud unsuspecting victims, the EFCC said.