Two Fraudsters Sentenced to Jail in Gombe for Internet Scams

Justice A.Y. Yakubu of the Gombe State High Court has sentenced Vanna Henry Nguna and Morgak Peter to two years in prison for fraud. The verdict was delivered on July 31, 2024, in Gombe, Gombe State.

Nguna, also known as Emily Enoch, and Peter were prosecuted by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of impersonation.

Charges and Convictions

Vanna Henry Nguna faced charges of impersonating an American national, Emily Enoch, by operating a fake account and email (emily00795@gmail.com) to defraud unsuspecting individuals, primarily foreign men. The charge stated that this act violated Section 321 and was punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Law.

Morgak Peter was charged with impersonating foreign nationals by posing as an online gamer and vendor. He operated fake Facebook accounts (help zone criss Ty and TJ field) and an Instagram account (nunji-000) to defraud individuals, gaining N40,000 through these schemes. This act also violated Section 321 and was punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Law.

Upon arraignment, both defendants pleaded guilty, prompting prosecution counsel A.B. Kware to urge the court for their conviction and sentencing. Defense counsels Jimoh K. and Yusuf Ali pleaded for leniency, highlighting that the defendants were first-time offenders and remorseful.

Justice Yakubu sentenced Nguna and Peter to two years imprisonment each or a fine of N40,000. Additionally, Peter was ordered to restitute the N40,000 to his victim. The Samsung phones used in the crimes were forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Additional Case

On the same day, the EFCC arraigned Mohammed Abubakar on charges of obtaining money by false pretenses. Abubakar allegedly induced Hassan Shuaibu Kada to give him N2,070,000 for a grain investment that never materialized. He pleaded not guilty, and Justice Yakubu granted him bail of N2,000,000 with two sureties of good standing and property in the state. The case is adjourned to October 21, 2024, for hearing.