A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Jabi, Abuja, on Wednesday convicted and sentenced Praise Humphrey Igbo, alias Jessica Allen, to one year imprisonment for defrauding an American victim of $115,000 through a cryptocurrency scam. Justice H.L. Abba-Aliyu delivered the judgment, following a guilty plea by the convict.
Conviction and Charges
The convict, Praise Humphrey Igbo, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of internet fraud, criminal impersonation, obtaining money under false pretenses, and money laundering. The prosecution, led by M.K. Hussain, detailed how Igbo used an assumed online persona to perpetrate the crime.
Igbo posed as “Jessica Allen,” a successful cryptocurrency trader based in the United States. Under this guise, he duped Aaron Baker, an American citizen, into transferring 5.26 Bitcoins—valued at $115,000—on the promise of high returns from a fake investment opportunity.
The crimes were committed in 2022 in Abuja and were found to contravene Section 321 of the Penal Code Act Abuja, Cap 532 LFN 2004, punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
During the trial, the EFCC prosecutor presented evidence and noted that Igbo’s guilty plea indicated his acknowledgment of the charges. Hussain requested the court to deliver a sentence that aligned with the provisions of the law.
Justice Abba-Aliyu, after reviewing the case, sentenced Igbo to one year in prison. However, the court provided an option for the convict to pay a fine of ₦1 million instead of serving the custodial sentence.
Restitution and Asset Recovery
In addition to the sentence, the court ordered that funds recovered from Igbo be used to compensate the victim. Specifically, $16,110 and $67,487.79 worth of cryptocurrency retrieved from Igbo, as well as the money found in his bank account, were directed to be transferred to Aaron Baker via the American Embassy.
The judge emphasized the importance of restitution in cases involving international victims of fraud, highlighting the need to address the financial losses incurred.
Background of the Fraud
According to the EFCC, Igbo’s fraudulent activities came to light when Aaron Baker filed a petition through the East Baton Rouge Parish in the United States. Baker alleged that he had been scammed by someone posing as Jessica Allen, a purported cryptocurrency investor. The scam involved convincing Baker to transfer Bitcoins to a fake investment opportunity on the platform Blockchain.com.
The EFCC’s investigation traced the fraudulent transactions back to Igbo, leading to his arrest and subsequent arraignment.
Broader Implications
The case underscores the growing menace of internet fraud in Nigeria and the global impact of such crimes. Cryptocurrency scams, in particular, have become a significant concern due to the anonymity and complexity of blockchain transactions.
The EFCC continues to work with international partners to address these crimes, recover stolen funds, and bring perpetrators to justice. The restitution ordered in this case reflects the commitment of the Nigerian legal system to addressing the grievances of victims, even those outside the country.
Closing Remarks
The sentence and restitution highlight the Nigerian government’s efforts to tackle cybercrime and ensure accountability. Justice Abba-Aliyu’s ruling serves as both a deterrent to potential fraudsters and a reassurance to victims of fraud that justice can be served.
The EFCC has urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies to curb the prevalence of internet-related crimes.
