Apprentice Sentenced to One Year in Prison for N450,000 Internet Fraud

A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a tailoring apprentice, Osahon Osamudiamen Frank, to 12 months in prison for defrauding a victim of N450,000 through an online scam.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke delivered the judgment after Frank pleaded guilty to two counts bordering on false representation and obtaining money under false pretence. Prosecutors said he impersonated a Canadian woman named Linda Patrick and deceived one Shu Qitang (Tan) into believing he was shipping a box from Canada to Nigeria.

Frank was arraigned by Morufu Animashaun, a legal officer from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Ikoyi. According to the charges, the offence was committed between June and September 2025 at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island.

The court was told that Frank received N450,000 from the victim after falsely claiming the money was required to send the supposed shipment. The offences contravened Section 484 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Upon being read the charges, Frank opted to defend himself and confessed to the crime. The prosecutor reviewed the case facts and tendered all supporting documents, including the convict’s written confession.

After pleading for mercy, the court sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment and an additional 100 hours of community service. Justice Aneke also ordered him to refund the N450,000 into the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Account as an option in lieu of imprisonment.