FOUR YAHOO BOYS JAILED FOR INTERNET FRAUD

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The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction of Paul Tochukwu ( aka Mike Tyler Wilson), Wilfred Alex ( aka Roseline Nicholas), Jerry Magaji ( aka Derick Mark) and Gowon Titus ( Marianaaarav) before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court on separate one count charges bordering on cybercrime.

They were arrested based on intelligence received on their alleged criminal activities. And, investigation showed they used stolen identities to defraud unsuspecting persons through promises of romantic relationships.

One of the charge reads, “That you, Paul Tochukwu ( aka Mike Tyler Wilson), Male sometime in December, 2023 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated one Mike Tyler Wilson a Military Personnel from Houston Texas, United States of America on Facebook and Google Chat and obtained gift cards worth the sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Dollars ( $450 USD) from Diana Vaughn for romantic relationship and you thereby committed cheating by impersonation, an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law, 2017 of Kaduna State and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law”.

Another charge reads, “That you, Jerry Magaji ( aka Derick Mark), Male sometime in June 2023 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, impersonated one Derick Mark a Military Personnel on Instagram ( an online social media application) and in such assumed character cheated one Lynda Roberts of the sum of $150USD ( One Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars) when you claimed to be in a romantic relationship with her which you knew to be false and you thereby committed cheating by impersonation, an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law, 2017 of Kaduna State and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law”.

They all pleaded guilty to their respective charges. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, E.K Garba, Y.J Matiyak, K.S Ogunlade and M.U Gadaka, during their separate appearances, urged the court to convict them accordingly.
Justice Khobo convicted and sentenced the defendants to two years imprisonment or a fine of N 150,000 each.

In addition, they are to forfeit all proceeds of crime as well as gadgets used in committing the offences to the Federal Government.