By Cyber Crime: Yahoo boy gets 6 month jail term with N100k fine option
Edwin Eriye
One Paul Otanor has been convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment by the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for defrauding a foreigner the sum of $600.
Paul was dragged before Justice A.T Mohammed of the Federal High Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Port Harcourt Zonal Office on a one-count charge bordering on impersonation contrary to section 22 (3) (a) of the Cyber Crimes Act, 2015 and punishable under section 22 (4) of the same Act.
EFCC on their instagram page explained that Otanor had earlier been arrested by their operatives sometimes in May 2019, in Warri, Delta State for internet-related offences. Documents containing false pretenses were found on him.
Paul in written statement confessed that he was operating different Gmail accounts and identities necessary to defraud his unsuspecting victims. Some of the Gmail accounts were; paulnewlife217@gmail.com; otanor70@gmail.com and kentymark455@gmail.com. He was thereafter charged with internet fraud.
The charges read “That you, Paul Otanor alias Kent Mark, sometimes in May 2019, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court fraudulently impersonated one Kent Mark with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 22 (3) (a) of the Cyber Crimes Act, 2015 and punishable under section 22 (4) of the same Act.
Justice Mohammed thereafter convicted and sentenced him to 6 months imprisonment with an option of fine of N100, 000. The Judge also ordered the $600 fraudulently obtained to be returned to the rightful owner.
