EFCC drags two to court over $91,000 Internet scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday arraigned 26-year old Dandeson Ebosele Ibhonitie, who goes by the aliases- Dandy James, Connor Mead, Barrister Louis Harpoch. Also arrested was 31-year old Ohiwerei Charity. They were summoned before Justice E. F. Ikponmwen of Edo State High Court, Benin-City on a 3- count charge which border on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

Ibhonitie and Charity are being accused of using the internet to defraud unsuspecting victims.

Ibhonitie is accused to have defrauded one Mrs. Weidman Andrea Sabrie, a German, of the sum of $ 91,000 (Ninety-One Thousand United States Dollars) by pretending to be an American working in Nigeria for a road construction company.

To access the proceeds of the fraud, the accused opened a domiciliary account in the name of one Mr. Steven. He entered into an agreement with Charity, the account officer that opened the account for him, on how the proceeds from the crime will be shared. By the arrangement, Charity was to keep 3 percent of every inflow to herself while 7 percent will go to Ibhonitie. The remaining 90 percent, by the arrangement, went to Steven. However, investigations showed that Ibhonitie was the same as Steven.

They however pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

Consequent on their pleas, prosecuting counsel, Ayokunle Fayanju, who opposed the bail applications of the defendants, prayed the court for a trial date.

Justice Ikponmwen adjourned the matter to a later date for hearing of bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.