The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of four internet fraudsters before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The convicts, Bisiriyu Roqeeb Abiodun, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, Akinwale Isaac, and Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo were among the 93 suspects arrested in a sting operation at a hotel near the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Charges and Guilty Pleas

They were arraigned on separate charges of impersonation, identity theft, and cyber fraud. Each pleaded guilty to the offences.

• Abiodun posed online as “Sharon,” a white American woman, to defraud a victim in Tennessee, USA.
• Olatunji impersonated “Camila” via a Google account for fraudulent gains.
• Isaac posed as “Monica” and “Daisy” on WhatsApp to scam unsuspecting victims.
• Oshundairo used a Gmail account to impersonate a certificate and tax service expert.

The EFCC prosecution team presented statements, mobile devices, forensic reports, and restitution drafts as evidence, which were admitted by the court.

Sentencing and Asset Forfeiture

After reviewing the evidence, Justice Dipeolu handed down the following sentences:

• Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji: One month imprisonment from the date of arrest, or a ₦500,000 fine.
• Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo: 30 days community service in Ogun State, supervised by the EFCC, after benefiting ₦600,000 from fraud.
• Akinwale Isaac: Three months imprisonment or ₦1,000,000 fine. His iPhone 16 Pro Max, Galaxy Note 9, ₦400,000 restitution, and a 2017 Toyota Camry were forfeited to the Federal Government.
• Bisiriyu Roqeeb Abiodun: One month imprisonment or ₦500,000 fine. His Samsung Galaxy S20 and ₦200,000 restitution were forfeited to the government.

“The convictions send a strong message that cybercrime will not go unpunished, and assets acquired through fraudulent means will be recovered by the state,” the EFCC said.