Man Jailed for One Year Over $115,000 Internet Fraud
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, has sentenced an internet fraudster, Praise Humphrey Igbo, also known as Jessica Allen, to one year in prison for defrauding an American of $115,000 in Bitcoin.
Justice H.L. Abba-Aliyu handed down the sentence on Wednesday after Igbo pleaded guilty to charges of internet fraud, criminal impersonation, obtaining money under false pretenses, and money laundering.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Igbo on a one-count charge. Prosecutor M.K. Hussain told the court that the convict posed as Jessica Allen, a fictitious cryptocurrency trader based in the United States, to defraud Aaron Baker of 5.26 Bitcoins, valued at $115,000.
The fraudulent activity occurred in 2022 in Abuja. The prosecutor said Igbo’s actions violated Section 321 of the Penal Code Act, Abuja, Cap 532 LFN 2004, and were punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.
After Igbo admitted guilt, the prosecution urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. Justice Abba-Aliyu sentenced Igbo to one year imprisonment but gave him an option to pay a fine of ₦1 million.
The judge further ordered that $16,110 and $67,487.79 in cryptocurrency, recovered from the convict, along with funds in his bank account, be used to compensate the victim through the American Embassy.
According to the EFCC, Igbo’s fraudulent activities came to light after a petition from Aaron Baker, a resident of East Baton Rouge Parish, USA. Baker reported that Igbo, impersonating Jessica Allen, lured him into a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme on Blockchain.com, leading to the theft of $115,000 worth of Bitcoins.
This ruling marks another milestone in the fight against cybercrime, underscoring the consequences for those involved in fraudulent activities.