The Economic and Financial CrimesCommission (EFCC), has docked three university students for Internet fraud in Onitsha, Anambra State,
reports ITRealms.
The arraignment, which ITRealms gathered took place on January
16, 2018 involved the trio of Precious Onyemaeme , Peter Avwaruroro and Nzekwe
Chibuzo Colins before Justice Ike Agu of the State High Court, Onitsha on a
cumulative 13- count charge of conspiracy and stealing to the tune of
N841,000 (Eight Hundred and Forty One Naira).
ITRealms also gathered that the offence contravenes Section 342 of Criminal Code Law of Anambra State and punishable under Section 343 (i) of the same law.
The defendants, (one of whom
was a staff of Moonwalker Connect Ltd, a franchise outlet of MTN, were final
year students of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State) connived
with others at large on April 18, 2017 in Onitsha by using some software
originating from some Google sites to send phishing mails with the aim of
scamming unsuspecting victims who innocently fill forms purportedly from their
banks which they use in activating a transfer code on the scammer’s phone.
According to the petitioner whose
names were withheld, reported to MTN about his phone which was tossed and they
assured him it was to be rectified. He further alleged that it was later
restored only for him to be called consistently by a private number who told
him to put off his phone that he was being trailed and that it was during the
course of this persistent call that he started receiving debit alert on his
phone.
In addition, investigation revealed
that Peter Avwaruroro, had used his knowledge of telecommunications to effect a
“Welcomed Back Package” of the petitioner (victim) who was at Onitsha even
while he was at Ugheli and used same to obtain the necessary information
required to carry out the crime, just as the trio pleaded not guilty to the
charge.
O.J Anagoba, I. Igbinigie and
Azubuike Anazor representing first, second and third defendants respectively
prayed the court to admit their clients to bail, which was not opposed by I. I
Mbachie, the prosecuting counsel, who rather, urged the court to verify
whomsoever would stand surety for the defendants.
The judge, thereafter, granted bail
to the defendants in the sum of N1million (One Million Naira) each with one
surety in like sum who must also be a relative to the defendants and a resident
within the jurisdiction of the court.
He further ordered the defendants to
submit three years tax clearance of their tax certificate and both the
defendants and their sureties must deposit two recent passports to the court.
The judge directed prosecution team to verify the home address of the
defendants and surties before they are allowed to leave the custody of the
Commission.
The case has been adjourned to April
26 for hearing.
Uboshe Uboshe/GEE
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