EFCC arraigns fake Afghan soldier for $1000 internet fraud in Port, Harcourt

Eze Ihedigbo

Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned David Ikeaghichi before Justice S. D. Pam of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State for impersonating an Afghanistan soldier and obtaining money under false pretence.

Also operatives of the Benin Zonal Command arrested 57 suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City.

According to the Head, Media & Publicity, EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, Ikeaghichi is facing trial on two-count charges, which run contrary to Section 1 (1)(a & b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

One of the charges reads: “That you David Ikeaghichi on or about the 31st day of October, 2023 in Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, impersonated one military personnel from Afghanistan and obtained the sum of One Thousand United States of America Dollars ($1000 ) worth of gift card from one Dennis from Singapore, by falsely representing it to be for investment purposes, which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a & b) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him, upon which prosecution counsel, K. Abdulsalam prayed the court to fix a date for commencement of trial and for the defendant to be remanded in a Correctional Centre, while the defence counsel, Wilfred Ayerit informed the court of his bail application for the defendant.

Justice Pam ordered that the defendant be remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to April 24, 2024 for the hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.

Ikeaghichi’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when the Commission received an intelligence on his fraudulent internet activities within Eneka/Elumbu areas of Port Harcourt.  Further investigations revealed that the convict specialized in impersonation, investment and dating scams. In one of the instances, he falsely presented himself to his victim on Instagram, one Denis from Singapore as an Afghan military officer. Following up with other pretences, he obtained a gift card worth $1000 from Denis. Further investigations showed that the convict sold the $1000 gift card in local currency via an online Chinese vendor.

While the 57 suspects arrested at different locations in Benin City following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences.

Items recovered from them include 12 exotic cars – four Mercedes-Benz GLK, two Mercedes Benz C300, one Mercedes-Benz 350, four Lexus ES350, one Lexus RX330,  laptops and phones

They would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.