The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continues to ramp up its efforts to tackle the growing menace of internet fraud and related financial crimes in Nigeria. With a focus on holding perpetrators accountable, the agency has successfully prosecuted and arrested several individuals involved in fraudulent activities. Below are some of the latest actions taken by the EFCC.

1. EFCC Arraigns Suspect for Land Racketeering in Maiduguri

On November 27, 2024, the EFCC Maiduguri Zonal Directorate arraigned Bukar Umar Alhaji before Justice Muhammad Maina of the Borno State High Court on two counts of obtaining by false pretense and criminal misappropriation. Alhaji, alongside an accomplice who remains at large, was accused of defrauding Ibrahim Ismail of N2.1 million in March 2022. The fraud was carried out by misrepresenting two plots of land in the Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State as available for sale, even though the land was not in their possession.

The prosecution argued that Alhaji intentionally deceived the victim by falsely claiming ownership of the land. Alhaji pleaded not guilty to the charges. As a result, Justice Maina adjourned the case to December 4, 2024, for the commencement of the trial and remanded Alhaji in the Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Facility.

2. EFCC Arrests Suspected Internet Fraudster in Abuja

On November 27, 2024, the EFCC Abuja Zonal Directorate arrested a suspected internet fraudster at Guzape Hills, Abuja, following a tip-off based on credible intelligence regarding his involvement in fraudulent activities. The suspect, whose identity is still under investigation, was found in possession of several items that raised suspicion about his activities.

Recovered items from the suspect’s residence included: A 2019 Range Rover Velar, $4,100 in cash, N2 million in cash, one AP silver wristwatch, wo mobile phones and a laptop.

These items suggest that the suspect may have used internet fraud as a means to acquire substantial wealth. The EFCC is still investigating the matter, and the suspect is expected to be charged in court once investigations are concluded.

3. Court Convicts 10 Internet Fraudsters in Makurdi

A Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, convicted and sentenced ten internet fraudsters on November 27, 2024. The convicts had been charged with engaging in various internet fraud activities, including impersonation, obtaining money under false pretenses, and possession of fraudulent documents. These crimes primarily involved creating fake identities on social media platforms to deceive and defraud unsuspecting victims.

Among the ten convicted were: Abugu Clement Kelechi, who impersonated a Spanish doctor on Facebook to defraud people; Scott King David, who used the identity of a University of Michigan professor to trick people online.

The court handed down sentences ranging from one year imprisonment to three years imprisonment, with options for paying fines. Specifically:

Abugu Clement Kelechi received one year imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine.
Clement David Onoja was sentenced to three years imprisonment or a N2.5 million fine.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the mobile phones and other electronic devices used in committing the crimes to the Federal Government.

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4. EFCC Arrests 15 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Makurdi

On November 21, 2024, the EFCC Makurdi Zonal Directorate conducted a sting operation that led to the arrest of 15 suspected internet fraudsters. These individuals were apprehended at Abu King Shuluwe Street, Akpehe, Makurdi, following actionable intelligence linking them to cybercrime activities. The suspects were allegedly involved in various forms of internet fraud, including identity theft and phishing scams aimed at defrauding both local and international victims.

Items recovered from the suspects included: Two cars, including a Honda Accord, seventeen mobile phones, multiple laptops used for their fraudulent activities.

The EFCC has launched further investigations into the suspects’ activities, and they are expected to be charged in court once the investigations are completed.

5. Adamawa Courts Convict 12 Internet Fraudsters

In a recent success for the EFCC Gombe Zonal Directorate, twelve individuals were convicted of internet fraud by various judges of the Adamawa State High Court. The suspects, who had been engaged in impersonation and cheating through fraudulent online schemes, were arrested in September 2024 following actionable intelligence linking them to cybercrime activities.

The convicts were involved in multiple fraudulent activities, including creating fake profiles on social media platforms such as Facebook and Gmail, and defrauding people by posing as professionals offering fake services. Some of the notable cases include:

Oladele Pius, who impersonated a foreign national and defrauded victims through fake virtual funds transactions.

Alamin Mohammed Bappa, who posed as a cybersecurity expert, defrauding victims by offering services to recover blocked Facebook accounts.

The sentences were handed down as follows: Bulus, Elisha, Usman, and Israel were each sentenced to ten years imprisonment or a N200,000 fine. Hyellabulati received five years imprisonment or a N200,000 fine.

Other convicts, such as Dike, Umoru, Sunday, and Pius, were sentenced to five years imprisonment or a fine of N2 million each.

Additionally, $20 recovered from Bappa was ordered to be returned to the victim. The court also ruled that all mobile phones seized during the investigation be forfeited to the government.