EFCC secures conviction of 10 internet fraudsters

Ten individuals have been found guilty and handed various sentences and fines for offenses related to internet fraud, following a recent operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This information was shared in a statement along with photographs on X.com by the EFCC on Friday.

In the announcement, the anti-corruption agency noted that the accused pleaded guilty to charges including internet fraud, impersonation, and employment scams. The individuals convicted are Emmanuel Cyriacus, Nelson Yustus, Gabriel Victor Shindu, Daniel Gambo, Miracle Bukar, Mighty Awarri, Jonathan James, Mathias Adams, Sani Safiyanu, and Muazu Shira Mutari.

The statement detailed that Shindu, Awarri, Gambo, Bukar, Adams, Yustus, Cyriacus, and James were arraigned on October 16, 2024, before Justices Hammed Isha and Benjamin M. Lawal at the Gombe State High Court in Yola, Adamawa State. Meanwhile, Safiyanu faced charges on October 14, 2024, for intent to defraud and possession of fraudulent documents before Justice Mushkur Salisu at the Federal High Court in Jalingo, Taraba State. Mutari was arraigned for fraud on October 8, 2024, before Justice Muazu Abubakar at the Bauchi State High Court.

One specific case highlighted involved Nelson Yustus, who, while using his iPhone 11 to communicate on the Zangi messaging app in September 2024, posed as a U.S. citizen named Jake from Philadelphia and swindled a foreign national out of $150.

For Sani Safiyanu, one charge indicated that in 2022, he possessed documents that falsely claimed employment opportunities with various government agencies, including the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme and the Nigeria Police Force, using multiple email addresses he knew were fraudulent.

The statement also mentioned that the sentences included options for fines, as the defendants’ counsel requested leniency, citing their remorse. Justice Isha sentenced Shindu, Awarri, Bukar, and Gambo to 10 years in prison or a fine of N300,000 each. Justice Lawal imposed a 10-year sentence on Yustus, James, and Cyriacus, with an option for a N200,000 fine, while Adams received a five-year sentence or a fine of N200,000.

Justice Salisu sentenced Safiyanu to five years in prison or a N200,000 fine for the first count and one year or a N50,000 fine for the second count, with the sentences to run concurrently. Lastly, Justice Abubakar sentenced Mutari to two years in prison or a N200,000 fine.