The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday February 1, 2017 arraigned two suspected internet fraudsters, Chukwudi Ugwueke and Sophia Ugwueke before Justice A.E.Obile of the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State on a 13-count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of Six Thousand Four Hundred and Thirty US Dollars($6, 430.00) in a romance scam.

The duo allegedly defrauded their victims by using false identities to lure innocent foreigners into online romantic relationship.

One of the counts reads: “that you Chukwudi Emmanuel Ugwueke ‘m’ (a. K.a) James Scott and Sophia Ugwueke ‘f’ on or about 9th of February, 2016 at Sapele, Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did posses documents containing false representation as James Scott, which said representation you made to L. M. Nors and obtained the sum of $2, 600.00 (USD) under false pretence, a pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the said Act.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Justice Obile granted each of the accused persons bail in the sum of Two Million Naira with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must have landed properties within the jurisdiction of this court, which will be verified by the court.

The matter was adjourned to the 7th of March, 2017 for trial, while the accused are to be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.

Media & Publicity

1st February, 2017