Two fraudsters bag two(2)years for defrauding foreigners $3800

Justice J.K Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 convicted and sentenced two fraudsters to two years imprisonment each, over impersonation and fraudulent online businesses, through which they defrauded two foreigners the sum of $3800 (Three Thousand Eight Hundred United States Dollars)

A statement from the antigraft agency says the convicts are Obrien Nwabueze Odiaka (alias Steven Mark Anthony) and Ndume David Baridol (alias Aubrey Writes). They were both arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt's Zonal Office, on one count charge each bordering on impersonation.

Odiaka was arraigned on one- count charge bordering on impersonation contrary to Section 22(3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(4) of the same Act.

Baridol, on the other hand, was arraigned on one count charge bordering on possession of documents containing false pretence and impersonation contrary to Section 22(3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(4) of the same Act.

The count charge against Odiaka read: "That you Obrien Nwabueze Odiaka (A.K.A. Steven Mark Anthony) on or about May, 2019, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of the honourable court fraudulently impersonates one Steven Mark Anthony with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(4) of the same Act”.

While the count charge against Baridol: "That you Ndume David Baridol (A.K.A. Aubrey Writes) on or about May 2019, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonates one Aubrey Writes with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(4) of the same Act”.

Both of them pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charges.

Both the prosecution counsel, Samuel Chime and defense counsel, Opodola Babatunde agreed on the convicts' pleas of “guilty.”

Justice Omotosho convicted and sentenced Odiaka to two years imprisonment without an option of fine. He also ordered that the sum of $3000 (Three Thousand United States Dollars) he fraudulently made through online businesses be restituted to the victims and the iphone 6S mobile phone used for the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Odiaka’s journey to prison began when he was arrested sometimes in May, 2019 within Port Harcourt, Rivers State by the Special Anti Robbery Squad for internet - related offences. Upon investigations, it was discovered that the convict was involved in series of fraudulent businesses on the net and had defrauded some foreigners to the tune of $3000 (Three Thousand United States Dollars). He has restituted the money to one of the victims, Denise Phillips, through the EFCC.

Justice Omotosho also convicted and sentenced Baridol to two years imprisonment without an option of fine. He also ordered that a sum of $800 (Eight Hundred United States Dollars) he fraudulently made through online businesses be restituted to the victims and the Iphone 7 mobile phone used for the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Baridol courted troubles when he was arrested sometimes in May, 2019 within Port Harcourt, Rivers State by the Special Anti Robbery Squad for internet- related offences.

Investigations showed that the convict was involved in series of fraudulent businesses on the net and had defrauded some foreigners to the tune of $800 (Eight Hundred United States Dollars). He has restituted the money to one of the victims, Tracy Molina, through the EFCC.