Eight Internet Fraudsters Convicted by EFCC in Uyo Zonal Command

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Uyo Zonal Command has announced the conviction of eight internet fraudsters in Akwa Ibom State.

According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the convictions were secured on Saturday by Justice Rosemary Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State. The convicted individuals are Abasiofon Daniel Essien (also known as Jason Momoa), Gideon Junior, Edikan Ubong, Harrison Chiemelie, Ndifereke Umoh, Christopher Promise, Effiong Wisdom, and Godswill Nsikan.

They faced separate charges of criminal impersonation, identity theft, and obtaining money by false pretenses.

One charge against Essien stated: "Abasiofon Daniel Essien (aka Jason Momoa), in 2023, knowingly possessed $300 (Three Hundred US dollars) that was part of the proceeds from identity theft, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act."

A charge against Wisdom read: "Effiong Wisdom (aka Pamela Randy), in November 2023, fraudulently posed as Pamela Randy on Facebook/Instagram to deceive Michael Moore, thereby obtaining $170 (One Hundred and Seventy US dollars), violating Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2022, punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act."

All defendants pleaded guilty to their charges. Prosecution counsel Khamis Mahmud presented their confessional statements and evidence from their mobile phones, urging the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

The judge sentenced each defendant to two years in prison. Umoh, Promise, Chiemelie, and Nsikan were given the option to pay a fine of N2 million each. Junior, Essien, and Ubong were fined N1.5 million each, while Wisdom was fined N1 million. Additionally, the convicts were ordered to restitute various amounts to their victims: Essien ($100), Junior ($300), Ubong ($170), Chiemelie (N140,000), Umoh ($70), Promise ($140), Wisdom (N100,000), and Nsikan ($50).

Their mobile phones, used as tools in their crimes, were forfeited to the government.