UNILAG Student Jailed Over Internet Love Scam

A University of Lagos student, Michael Opaleye, has been sent to jail by a Lagos State High Court, southwest Nigeria for allegedly defrauding an American lady through the internet.

Opaleye was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment on Thursday by Justice Aishat Opesanwo for defrauding Miss Kathy Lunsford, of  about N1.5 million ($9,200) on the pretext of  getting married to her.

The convict who is studying computer science at UNILAG had pleaded guilty to the charge of obtaining by false pretence and forgery.

He had entered into a plea bargain deal with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and offered to pay back the money to his victim.

The judge in her judgment said the sentence would commence on 15 March  when he was first arraigned before the court.

She also ordered Opaleye after his release from prison to pay N100,000 monthly to the victim through the EFCC until he refunded the total amount involved in the scam.

The convict is also to forfeit the electronic appliances and other items purchased with the proceeds of the crime which were recovered from his house during investigation to the EFCC.

EFCC counsel, Mr. Anselem Ozioko, said Opaleye had between 2008 and 2011 swindled Lunsford by making a phoney marriage proposal to her through e-mail.

He said Lunsford had sent Opaleye the said amount as part of his travelling expenses from the United Kingdom to the United States of America to facilitate their marriage.

Ozioko said the defendant forged a Nigeria drivers Licence No. WWD24174AAJ which he claimed was issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

He said Opaleye forged a bank draft which he claimed was issued by the Bank of Ireland, Dublin.

The offences, according to him, had contravened sections 419 and 467 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State 2003.

—Henry Ojelu