17 Internet Fraudsters Convicted and Jailed in Benin City

Benin City Court Delivers Verdict on 17 Internet Fraudsters.

In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, Justice Igho Braimoh of the Edo State High Court has sentenced 17 internet fraudsters to various jail terms, ranging from two to three years.

The convicts, who were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), pleaded guilty to separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents.

The charges revealed that the defendants engaged in various forms of internet fraud, including possessing documents containing false pretence.

During the trial, the prosecution counsel prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly, while the defense counsel pleaded for mercy, stating that the defendants had become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Braimoh subsequently sentenced the defendants to various jail terms, with some ordered to pay fines ranging from N200,000 to N500,000. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of several vehicles, phones, laptops, and money in the defendants’ bank accounts to the federal government.

The convicts’ journey to the correctional center began with their arrest by EFCC operatives following credible intelligence on their involvement in fraudulent internet activities.

This verdict serves as a warning to others engaged in internet fraud, as the EFCC continues to crack down on cybercrime in Nigeria.