The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of 17 internet fraudsters before Justice I.M Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu, Enugu.

The defendants are Ohazuruike Christian, Emeli Ikenna, Echebiri Ifeanyichukwu Victor, Echefulam Uche, Augustine Dimgba Ikeoha, Orji Patrick Onyebuchi, Egwu Collins Somto and Echezona Emmanuel Nwoye.

Others include Ameh David Owenchochi, Tasie Henry Nzube, Ene Ndukaku Chinwendu, Innocent Chukwuemeka, Onyebuchi Victor Okwaodu, Ikeja Eyerinbi, Chukwu Miracle, Emmanuel Murewa and Ejike Prince.

They were arraigned on Thursday November 11, 2021 on separate one count charges bordering on criminal impersonation and obtaining money by false pretences.

The charge preferred against one of defendants reads: “That you, Echebiri Ifeanyichukwu Victor, sometime in July,2021 in Enugu within the jurisdiction of the  Federal High Court  of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated one Marilyn Gutlervez from Los Angeles, through your fake Facebook account, with the intent to obtain money from unsuspecting foreign nationals by false pretence, and thereby committed an offence  contrary to Section 22 (2)(b)(i)(ii)(iii) and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes(Prohibition ,Prevention, Etc )Act 2015”.

Justice Buba convicted and sentenced 15 of them to one-year imprisonment each with an option of N1 million fine. They are also to forfeit their mobile phones to the Federal Government.

Ohazuruike Christian was however sentenced to one-year imprisonment with an option of N500,000 fine. He is also to forfeit an Infinix mobile phone to the Federal Government.