By PAUL MICHAEL
Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of five internet fraudsters before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court, Benin City. The convicts, according to a statement by the EFCC, include Amogie Julius, Omogbon Friday Harry, Osaze Okoro, Lucky Tegiri and Omokhua Destiny.
They were arraigned on one count charge each for fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. They had sometimes between 2020 to 2022, impersonated foreign nationals with intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the public of their hard earned money.
The charge against Amiogie Julius reads: “that you, Amoigie Julius between 2020 to 2022 at Wisdom Street , off Egba Road , Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently personate the identity of Gloria Hernandez Ortiz, with intent to obtain money from her and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 484 of the criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria ( as applicable in Edo state ) 1976”.
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The charge against Lucky Tegiri reads: “that you Lucky Tegiri on or about 22nd February 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud falsely represented yourself to be one Mark Linda by creating two fraudulent email accounts, with user names dcluck75@gmail.com and company, giveaway7610@gmail.com, by sending text messages to some unsuspecting Chinese ladies, so as to obtain money, a representation which you knew is false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976.”
All the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against them, thereby prompting the prosecution counsel, A.A. Ozigbu and KY Bello, to prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions.
