The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured a conviction of two internet fraudsters, Morgan Chinda (aka Richard Johnson Adams) and Joshua Pina, over impersonation and internet fraud offences.
EFCC had arraigned Chinda and Pina before a Federal High Court in Port-harcourt, River State on a count charges.
According to the Commission, Morgan Innocent Chinda (aka. Richard Johnson Adams) sometime in 2021, at Port Harcourt, fraudulently impersonated one Richard Johnson Adams, an American citizen and pilot working with American Airways with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (IV) of the same Act.
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While Joshua Pina (aka Berry Williams) was said to have sometime in 2021, on or about 28th June, 2021 at Port Harcourt, fraudulently impersonated one Berry Williams with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (IV) of the same Act.”
The two convicts pleaded guilty to the offences when the charge was read to them.
In view of the pleas of the defendants, prosecution counsel, N.A. Dodo prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Consequently, Justice A.T. Mohammed convicted and sentenced Chinda to two years imprisonment with an option of fine N 250,000 and Pina to one year imprisonment, with an option of fine of N50,000
The judge ordered that the items recovered from the convicts at the point of arrest: iPhone 6S, iPhone 6 and Quicktel C 19 be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
