Four convicted for internet fraud in Kaduna

By Adeyanju Esther

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kaduna Zonal Command has successfully secured the convictions of four internet fraudsters in the state.

The convicts, Stephen Destiny Osaro, Yakubu Suleiman, Salisu Abubakar, and Mohammed Alamin Isah, were sentenced by Justices A.A. Bello, A.A. Isiaka, and R.M. Aikawa of the Kaduna State High Courts and the Federal High Court, respectively.

Stephen Destiny Osaro and Yakubu Suleiman were each prosecuted on one count of impersonation. Osaro, also known as “Layla Evans,” impersonated a white woman on Facebook and defrauded an Australian citizen of $100.

He was sentenced by Justice Bello to five years imprisonment or a fine of N400,000. Suleiman received a similar charge and was sentenced to five years imprisonment or a fine of N350,000. Both men forfeited their phones to the federal government.

Salisu Abubakar, who posed as “Latrina Brown Jones” on Facebook, cheated Scot Williamson of N100,000. He was sentenced by Justice Isiaka to five years imprisonment or a fine of N350,000. Abubakar was also ordered to restitute the victim and forfeit his iPhone 11 Pro to the federal government.

Mohammed Alamin Isah was convicted of cheating and impersonation. He was sentenced by Justice Aikawa to two years imprisonment or a fine of N150,000. Isah was also required to restitute his victim and forfeit his iPhone 13 to the federal government.

All four convicts pleaded guilty to their charges, leading to their swift sentencing. The EFCC prosecution teams, led by M.E. Eimonye and M.J. Argungu, successfully argued for their convictions, underscoring the agency’s commitment to curbing cybercrime.