Nigerian Man Sentenced to One Year for Defrauding American of $115,000 in Bitcoin Scam
By Fly Cable News
A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has sentenced Praise Humphrey Igbo, also known as Jessica Allen, to one year in prison for internet fraud totaling $115,000. The verdict was delivered by Justice H.L. Abba-Aliyu on December 11, 2024.
Igbo was convicted on charges of internet crime, criminal impersonation, obtaining money under false pretenses, and money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed that Igbo deceived an American victim, Aaron Baker, by impersonating “Jessica Allen,” a successful cryptocurrency trader.
The court heard that Igbo fraudulently obtained 5.26 Bitcoins, valued at $115,000, through false representation, violating Section 321 of the Penal Code Act, Abuja, Cap 532 LFN 2004, and punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.
Igbo pleaded guilty to the charges, leading the EFCC prosecutor, M.K. Hussain, to request his conviction and sentencing. Justice Abba-Aliyu sentenced Igbo to one year in prison, with an option of a N1 million fine, and ordered that funds recovered from Igbo, including money in his bank account, be used to compensate the victim through the American Embassy.
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