Internet love scam: Unilag student bags 18-month jail term
Details Published on Friday, 12 October 2012 05:58 Written by Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos Hits: 220 .
Justice Aishat Opesanwo of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, yesterday, sentenced one Michael Opaleye, who claimed to be a student of the University of Lagos, to 18 months imprisonment for internet love scam.
Opaleye was jailed by Justice Opesanwo for defrauding an American lady, Kathy Lunsford, of 9,200 US dollars under the pretext of getting married to her.
The convict who claimed to be studying computer science at the university, had pleaded guilty to the charge of obtaining by false pretence and forgery.
He had entered into a plea bargain deal with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and offered to pay back the money to his victim.
Justice Opesanwo in her judgment said the sentence would commence on March 15 when he was first arraigned before the court.
She also ordered Opaleye after his release from prison, to pay N100, 000 monthly to the victim through the EFCC until he refunds the total amount involved in the scam.
The convict is also to forfeit the electronic appliances and other items purchased with the proceeds of the crime, which were recovered from his house during the investigation, to the EFCC.
EFCC counsel, Mr. Anselem Ozioko, said Opaleye had between 2008 and 2011, swindled Lunsford by making phoney marriage proposal to her through e-mails.
He said Lunsford had sent Opaleye the said amount as part of his travelling expenses from the United Kingdom to the United States to facilitate their marriage.
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