A 22-year-old internet fraudster, Raymond Imozemhe, was arrested and brought before Justice Efe Ikponwonba at an Edo State High Court in Benin City. He, along with six others, faced accusations of fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Imozemhe, operating in Benin City, used a Scrabble game account to impersonate Hollywood star Tom Cruise with the intent to defraud people online.
The EFCC charged him with fraudulent impersonation and possession of fraudulent documents, both of which were punishable under Section 384(1) of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.
Having pleaded guilty to the charges, Imozemhe was sentenced to three years in prison, with the option of paying a ₦200,000 fine.
The judge also handed out various sentences to the other co-accused: Christian Okafor and Jimmy Emmanuel received the same sentence as Imozemhe, Oritseweyinmi Allen Poto was sentenced to three years in prison with a ₦300,000 fine option, and David Oghneyerivwo Ighere received a two-year prison sentence with a ₦200,000 fine option.
For Christopher Godfirst and Osapamwan Destiny Gaius, they were given three years imprisonment or the choice of paying a ₦100,000 fine each. The judge further ordered all defendants to sign a written undertaking to maintain good behavior after their sentences.
