In a significant move to combat cybercrime, the Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Solomon Martins to one year imprisonment for engaging in a romance scam. The court ruling was delivered on Sunday by Justice C. J. Aneke.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed the details of the case in a statement posted on its Facebook page. According to the commission, Martins was arraigned before the Lagos Zonal Command on a two-count charge related to the romance scam.
The charge stated that Martins, on or about December 1, 2022, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Lagos, fraudulently impersonated one ‘John Scott,’ a white military male from London, United Kingdom. He used this false identity to defraud unsuspecting members of the public through Gmail correspondence. The offense committed by Martins was contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.
During the trial, Martins pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him. As a result, Justice C. J. Aneke sentenced him to one year imprisonment. He also had the option of paying a fine of N1,500,000 (approximately $3,000) and performing 100 hours of community service.
In addition, the judge ordered the forfeiture of Martins’ mobile phone and a bank draft of N100,000 to the Federal Government of Nigeria. These assets will be seized as part of the efforts to strip Martins of the proceeds obtained through his fraudulent activities.
This ruling serves as a reminder of the strict stance taken by Nigerian courts against individuals involved in cybercrime. It sends a clear message that scammers will face severe consequences for their actions. The EFCC continues to work diligently to safeguard the public and apprehend those engaged in fraudulent activities.
The conviction and sentencing of Solomon Martins reflect the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protect individuals from falling victim to scams. The public is advised to remain vigilant and cautious while engaging in online interactions, especially with individuals they have never met in person.
