23-year-old Adebisi Olalekan, an internet fraudster from Ekiti State, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Ilorin. The sentence comes with no option of a fine.
Olalekan was convicted on two counts of cybercrime , cheating and impersonation following charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The case was initiated after the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps alerted the EFCC about his fraudulent online activities.
Between August and December 2024, Olalekan impersonated several foreign nationals, including one Joshua Campbell Novak, using fake Gmail and TextPlus accounts to deceive his victims. Two individuals, Allisa Motazedi and Brittany Boggess, lost $100,000 and $1,000 respectively to his scams. Olalekan pleaded guilty to both charges.
During the trial, EFCC counsel and an investigative officer detailed how he created false online identities to defraud unsuspecting victims. Evidence showed that he used the illicit proceeds to purchase a luxury vehicle in October 2024. Investigators also discovered over N124 million in his bank account, believed to be profits from similar fraudulent activities.
Presented evidence included bank statements, car documents, his mobile phone, and confessional statements. The court sentenced him to one year on each charge, to be served concurrently.
Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of all assets acquired through the fraud, including the N124 million in his account, a white Mercedes Benz ML350 valued at approximately N30 million, and an iPhone 14 Pro Max used in committing the crimes.
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