EFCC, FBI nail Nigerian scammer for '$166,000 fraud'

EFCC, FBI nail Nigerian scammer for '$166,000 fraud'


EFCC, FBI nail Nigerian scammer for '$166,000 fraud'
EFCC swung into action after a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report on his involvement in computer-related fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday secured the conviction of Iweregbu Daniel Chima.


Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court in Lagos, sentenced Chima to 18 months in prison.


The convict created social media accounts and presented himself as Larry Pham.


He defrauded mostly female victims to the tune of $166,000 between July 2017 and June 2018.


EFCC swung into action after a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report on his involvement in computer-related fraud.


Chima was arraigned on December 4, 2020 on charges of cheating, obtaining by false pretence, and retention of proceeds of crime.


Chima pleaded “guilty” to the three-count charge.


Bilikisu Bala Buhari, prosecution counsel, urged the court to deliver justice accordingly.


Justice Taiwo, during sentencing, gave Chima an option of N300,000 fine.


The convict was ordered to pay $15,000 in favour of the United States Consulate.


The refund is part of the money he had unlawfully benefitted.