The operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, ForceCID, Annex Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, have arraigned a suspected Internet fraudster popularly called Yahoo-yahoo boy, Samson Onaolapo for an alleged romance scam and fraud of $7,000.
The suspected Internet fraudster, who resides at Ifako-Ijainye, Lagos, was arraigned before Justice Alexander Owoeye of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on a four-count of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing and impersonation.
The prosecutor, Williams Tijani, told the court that the defendant with the used of his email handle ScothSparks@yahoo.com, did fraudulently impersonated an American, Scott Spark, whom he used his name to defrauded the dou of Patti Anna and Linda Morgan of the sum of $7,000.
He was also accused of acquiring, using, retaining and take possession of the sum of $7,000, (knowing reasonably ought to know that such fund form part of unlawful act.
The prosecutor further told the court that the defendant committed the offences between 2019 and 2024.
He said the alleged illegal acts of the defendant contravened sections 8(a), 1(4),(a), (b), (c) of the Advance Fee and other Related offence Act 2006; Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the cybercrime (prohibition, prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 (As Amended 2024); Section (1); (2)(a)(b) (c)(d) (3) of the money laundry (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as Amended 2012), and section section 390 of the Criminal Code Act LFN 2004.
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The defendant denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to each of the counts when the charges were read to him.
Based on his not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked for a trial date, while also urging the court to remand the defendant pending the determination of the charge.
But lawyer to the defendant, Olalekan Ogunbunmi, informed the court that he was just briefed of the arrraignment, but pleaded with the court for a short date to enable him file his client bail application.
Based on the counsel plea, Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter to May 27, for trial.
The judge, however, ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
