Six web fraudsters have been convicted and sentenced to 6 months of imprisonment every by the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Calabar, Cross River State.

An announcement posted on X.com by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee on Saturday revealed that Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu discovered the defendants responsible of fees together with felony impersonation, love scams, and id theft.

The convicts had been recognized as Chibo Udoka (aka Zxoya Andric, Kelly Rose, Chimata Harry), John Inimfon Okpokpo (aka Grace Boar), Emediong Ekerete Bassey (aka Thiwe Ploka), Otu Ginikachi Samuel (aka Chris Hemsworth), Goodluck John Bassey (aka Tom Jones), and Asogwa Ifebuche Lukas (aka Daniela Crystal).

The assertion partly learn, “One of many counts reads: ‘That you simply, Otu Ginikachi Samuel (aka Chris Hemsworth) someday in 2024 in Nigeria inside the jurisdiction of this Honorable courtroom fraudulently introduced your self as Chris Hemsworth (a United States of American Citizen) to Tymoshenko Anatoly Grihorovych (Ukrainian Citizen) on Fb with fraudulent intent, gained benefit of the sum of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) for your self from the mentioned Tymoshenko Anatoly Grihorovych and thereby dedicated the offence of id theft opposite to Part 22 (2) (b) (0) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) (Modification) Act 2024 and punishable underneath 22 (b) (iv) of the identical Act.

“One other reads: ‘That you simply Chibo Udoka Mgborogwu (aka Zoya Andric, Kelly Rose Chimata Harry), someday in 2024 in Nigeria inside the jurisdiction of this Honorable courtroom with intent to acquire property and acquire benefit for your self, fraudulently introduced your self as ZOYA ANDRIC, KELLY ROSE CHIMATA HARRY on Social Media platform (Whatsapp, Instagram) and thereby dedicated an offence opposite to Part 22 (2) (b)0) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention And many others) Modification Act 2024 and punishable underneath Part 22(b) (iv) of the identical Act.”

All six defendants had been mentioned to have pleaded responsible to the costs because the prosecution counsel, Khamis Mahmud, argued for applicable sentencing, whereas the defence counsels, Udeme Tom, Harmless Ekeize, and Henry Effiong, pleaded for leniency on the bottom that they had been first-time offenders.

Justice Ojukwu was mentioned to have sentenced Emediong Bassey, Otu Samuel, Asogwa Lucas, and John Okpokpo to 6 months imprisonment on every of the 2 counts, with the sentences working concurrently, whereas Goodluck Bassey and Chibo Mgborogwu obtained six-month sentences every on one depend.

Along with the jail time period, the EFCC added that every convict was given the choice of paying a N500,000 advantageous. Additionally they forfeited any gadgets used of their crimes to the Federal Authorities.

4 of the convicts had been additionally mentioned to have been  ordered to restitute the next sums, “Emediong Bassey, One Thousand 5 Hundred Rands (R1500); Otu Samuel, One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00); John Okpokpo, One Hundred and Fifty United States {Dollars} ($150 US); and Asogwa Lucas, One Hundred United States {Dollars} ($100 US).”

PUNCH On-line reported in Might {that a} Federal Excessive Courtroom in Onitsha, Anambra State, convicted and sentenced 41 people to at least one yr imprisonment every for web fraud-related offences.