Nigerian claiming to be American recruiter Mike Samorano jailed

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

A Nigerian man identified as Ademola Ayobami Idris falsely presenting himself Google mail as Mike Samorano, an American recruiter for the purpose of internet fraud has been jailed three months by a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi , Lagos.

Ayobami was was arraigned before the court presided over by Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi Lagos by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC on a one-count charge bordering on cybercrime on Friday, August 1, 2025

The count reads: “That you, Ademola Ayobami Idris, sometime 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, fraudulently held out yourself on Google mail as Mike Samorano, an American recruiter ,with intent to gain advantage for yourself, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22 (2) ( b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition.) Act, 2015.”

He pleaded “guilty” to the charge preferred against him.

In view of his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, A.A.Umsan, called on Kamal Musa Jubril, an operative of the EFCC, to give a review of the facts.

Jubril stated that Idris was arrested by operatives of the EFCC during a sting operation at the Alagbado area of Lagos State, following intelligence received by the Commission about the activities of some internet fraudsters in the area.

According to him, the defendant was arrested with an iphone 15 promax, which he broke upon sighting the EFCC operatives.

“He claimed to be a cryptocurrency trader and that he was not involved in any fraud.

“He, however, later confessed to be into online employment fraud.

“He disclosed that he usually sent random emails of non-existing jobs to his unsuspecting victims after getting their contact details on Craigslist App ,” he said.

Continuing, he told the court that “the defendant claimed to have benefited the sum of $400 (Four Hundred United States Dollars) from his fraudulent activities.

“He also restituted the sum of N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira).”

Usman, thereafter, sought to tender, in evidence, the defendant’s extrajudicial statements, iPhone 15 pro max and forensic investigation documents print out, which were all admitted as exhibits.

Justice Dipeolu, consequently, convicted and sentenced the defendant to three months imprisonment, without an option of fine.

The Judge also ordered that the sum of N300,000 in restitution and the iPhone 15 promax be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.