The Kaduna State High Court on Monday convicted Jesse Joshua Kassah, who impersonated a U.S. military official on Facebook to defraud unsuspecting individuals.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission announced the conviction after Mr. Kassah pleaded guilty during his arraignment.

The EFCC, in a statement, outlined the details of the case, asserting that Kassah falsely portrayed himself as Devaun Smith Wayne, a U.S. military personnel and ticket salesman, on Facebook between January and October 2023.

The fraudulent activities took place in Kaduna, where Kassah utilized his fabricated identity to carry out his scams.

According to the EFCC, Kassah, upon arrest in the Karji area of Kaduna for internet-related offenses, admitted to the crime.

The agency revealed that investigations revealed his impersonation of the American soldier to defraud unsuspecting victims.

In a lone count charge, the court accused Kassah of violating Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017, for knowingly presenting false pretenses.

The charge stated: “That you, Jesse Joshua Kassah (a.k.a Devaun Smith Wayne), (M) between January to October 2023 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, committed an offence, to wit; falsely presented yourself as Devaun Smith Wayne; a USA military personnel and ticket salesman on Facebook (an online social media application) to one Caitlin Morgan and which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.”

In response to the guilty plea, Justice Darius Khobo sentenced Kassah to two years imprisonment, providing an option of N150,000 fine.

Additionally, the judge ordered the forfeiture of the Samsung Galaxy A02 phone used in committing the offense to the Federal Government of Nigeria.