Abuja Court Sentences Cybercriminal To Jail For $100 Fraud

Published September 11, 2024 at 7:13 PM

Abuja Court Sentences Cybercriminal To Jail For $100 Fraud

On September 9, 2024, the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction of Nelson Solomon before Justice I. Nwosu at the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

Solomon faced a two-count charge involving impersonation, fraud, and obtaining by false pretenses.

The first charge states:

“Nelson Solomon, in 2024 in Abuja, committed the offense of cheating by impersonation. You fraudulently deceived Webbi J.W. Mary into giving you $100 by pretending to be John Scott, an American engineer. This act is contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Act Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.”

The second charge reads:

“Nelson Solomon, in 2024 in Abuja, committed the offense of cheating by impersonation by fraudulently inducing Miguela Okayama to give you $100 by pretending to be William Fernando, an American. This act is contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Act Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.”

Solomon pleaded guilty to the charges. In response, prosecution counsel G.I. Ushie requested a conviction and sentencing. Justice Nwosu subsequently sentenced Solomon to one year in prison or a fine of N50,000. Additionally, Solomon was ordered to forfeit his iPhone to the federal government.