COURT SENTENCE INTERNET FRAUDSTER, IMPERSONATOR TO TWO YEAR IMPRISONMENT
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Gwagwalada, on 6th June 2024 sentenced Eze Josiah, an internet fraudster who impersonates American citizen to two years in prison for defrauding an American woman of $300.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Josiah on two counts of cheating by impersonation, as he had pretended to be an American citizen on Facebook.
Josiah pleaded guilty and requested leniency from the court.
In his judgment, Justice Aliyu Shafa offered Josiah the option of paying a fine of N500,000 instead of serving the prison term.
Justice Aliyu Shafa ordered the convict to depose to an affidavit of good behavior and directed that the HP laptop and iPhone 8 used to commit the crime be sold, with the proceeds deposited into the Federal Government's account.
Earlier, in his plea for leniency, the convict promised not to repeat such mistakes and to maintain good behavior.
The Defense Counsel, J.M. Mafwil, also supported the convict's plea, urging the court to temper justice with mercy as the convict is a young first-time offender and
suggested that the court consider a reduced sentence or fine.
Prosecution Counsel Idris Haruna stated that the convict committed the crime of cheating by personation in January 2024, within the court's jurisdiction.
The convict impersonated Kelvin, an American citizen, on Facebook, using a false identity to fraudulently obtained $200 (equivalent to N270,000) through gift cards from an American named Jessica.
Additionally, the convict impersonated Prisca Helen, an American citizen, on Facebook and defrauded another American citizen, Karlos, out of $100 through a gift card.
The prosecutor indicated that the offence violated Section 321 of the Penal Code and is punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code.
Haruna, in an oral application, requested the court to order the forfeiture of the tools used in the crime, including an HP laptop and an iPhone 8, to the federal government.
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