Man Sentenced to One Year in Jail for Romance Scam Fraud

Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced Nonso Joseph Ekeocha to one year in prison for possessing fraudulent documents linked to a romance scam. The sentence was handed down on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, following Ekeocha’s guilty plea to the charges brought by the Lagos Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Charges and Admission of Guilt

Ekeocha faced a one-count charge related to the possession of fraudulent documents designed to facilitate a romance scam. The charge specified that on or around June 27, 2024, in Lagos, he held an Instagram profile account representing himself as a male American named Ronald Gregory. The court found that he possessed several documents intended for online dating scams, which he knew or should have known were false.

Details of the Arrest

During the proceedings, prosecution counsel I. G. Akhanolu called upon EFCC operative Ismail Saifullahi to present evidence. Saifullahi testified that Ekeocha was arrested on June 29, 2024, as part of a larger operation targeting individuals involved in computer-related fraud. Upon his arrest, investigators recovered high-end smartphones, including an iPhone 12 Pro Max and a Samsung S-10, which were subsequently analyzed.

Evidence Presented

The forensic examination of the devices revealed fraudulent documents confirming Ekeocha’s role in an online dating scam. He admitted to sending unsolicited love messages to potential victims online, where those expressing interest were often solicited for financial assistance. Akhanolu submitted Ekeocha’s extrajudicial statement and a collection of fraudulent documents as evidence, both of which were admitted by Justice Fadipe.

Further Investigations

Following the review of the evidence and the defendant’s confession, the court found Ekeocha guilty as charged. He was sentenced to one year in prison, serving as a reminder of the legal consequences of engaging in fraud.

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