Lagos, Nigeria – July 2025 — A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced one John Oluwaseun to two years in prison for engaging in internet fraud amounting to $2,000.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate, secured the conviction after prosecuting Oluwaseun on a one-count charge of impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to the EFCC, the convict fraudulently posed as a foreign national to defraud his victim of $2,000 through social media platforms. He was arrested following actionable intelligence and subsequently arraigned.
The charge read in part:
“That you, John Oluwaseun, on or about March 2025, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, falsely represented yourself as a foreign investor and obtained the sum of $2,000 under false pretence, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Upon arraignment, Oluwaseun pleaded guilty. In view of his plea, the prosecution reviewed the facts of the case, tendered exhibits, and urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Justice O. A. Williams, while delivering the judgment, sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine and mandated the restitution of the defrauded sum to the victim.
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to ridding the country of cybercrime and urged youths to desist from internet-related fraud and pursue legitimate endeavours.