Six Internet Fraudsters Jailed in Kwara State for Cybercrime Activities

Six internet fraudsters have been sentenced to jail by the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin for their involvement in various cybercrime activities, including impersonation, cheating, and retention of proceeds from criminal activities. The convicted individuals, identified as Akingbehin Temitope Oluwaseun, Ajayi Elijah Olaoluwa, Samson Babatunde Ilesanmi, Quadri Olamilekan Lamido, Kolawole Kehinde Moses, and Olatunji Elijah Olabisi, were prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The charges against the defendants included retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, internet fraud, and cheating. Oluwaseyi, a 25-year-old car dealer, and the others were arrested after an extensive investigation by the EFCC into their illegal activities.

Oluwaseyi was found guilty of retaining N2,707,562, which was paid into his Opay account as proceeds from fraudulent activities. Justice Haleema Saleeman sentenced him to one year in prison or a fine of N1 million, along with the forfeiture of his two phones and a Toyota Camry car to the Federal Government.

Olaoluwa, Ilesanmi, Lamidi, Moses, and Olabisi were also convicted for various cybercrimes. Ilesanmi, who impersonated an individual on Facebook, induced a victim to transfer $250. He was sentenced to four months in prison or a fine of N250,000, along with the forfeiture of $150 and two phones. Lamidi faced multiple sentences for his crimes, with fines and the forfeiture of over €325, $150, and Canadian dollars.

Moses, sentenced to a three-month suspended sentence, was ordered to forfeit N330,000, $80, and an iPhone 12 Pro Max. Olabisi, similarly convicted, was ordered to pay restitution of $25 and forfeit $70 and an iPhone XR.

In addition to jail terms and fines, all the convicts had their phones and cash—proceeds from their illegal activities—seized by the Federal Government.

This sentencing highlights the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat internet fraud and cybercrimes, underscoring the legal consequences for individuals involved in online scams in Nigeria.