ROMANCE SCAM: COURT JAILS FRAUDSTER FOR DEFRAUDING AMERICAN $5,260

The Head of Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Tony Orilade said in a statement that the convict was for using many false FaceBook accounts to defraud the innocent victim

One of the counts read: “That you Onuoha Danhessy Akachukwu (alias Joe Dickson) sometimes between 2015 and 2016, at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy US Dollars ($2,370) from one Maria Jose Alvarez (an American) Via Money Gram which  you transferred into your account number 3071174186 domiciled with First Bank Plc under the pretence that you are Joe Dickson an American Engineer based in the United Kingdom willing to marry her.

The count added, ‘a pretext which you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

Penpushing further reports that, he pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him, thus necessitating his trial, and while the trial progressed and the prosecution counsel, R.E. Alao called three witnesses to establish the case, but, Akachuku applied for a plea bargain and changed his plea to “guilty” and the bargain was adopted by both the prosecution and defence counsels.

The Commission spokesman said convict had claimed to be an American Engineer based in the United Kingdom, and with this disguise, he was able to hoodwink his victim into a romantic relationship which according to him, will lead to marriage, rather than marry his victim as arranged, he contrived so many lies aimed at defrauding the American and succeeded in duping her to the tune of $5,260.  

Penpushing also reports that, Justice J.K  Omotosho convicted him accordingly and sentenced him to three months imprisonment and a fine of N200, 000, and was also ordered to  make restitution in the sum of $2000 to his victim.