The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted an 18-year-old internet fraudster, Hassan Olamilekan, for laundering $800 obtained through a gift card scam.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in a statement issued on Monday, disclosed that Olamilekan was sentenced on Friday after pleading guilty to a one-count money laundering charge brought against him by the commission.
The charge was filed under Section 18(2)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which prescribes punishment under Section 18(3) of the same legislation.
According to the EFCC, Olamilekan fraudulently obtained gift cards worth $800 from his victim, subsequently sold them through the Cardsonic application and converted the proceeds into naira.
In its judgment, the court imposed a N200,000 fine on the defendant and directed him to pay an additional N1 million to the Federal Government as restitution. It further ruled that he would remain in custody at the correctional centre until both financial obligations were fully settled.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of two mobile devices, an iPhone 11 Pro and a Poco C71, which were recovered in connection with the fraudulent activities.
The commission disclosed that investigations showed Olamilekan, who reportedly claimed to be a citizen of the Republic of Benin despite being born in Nigeria, maintained accounts on several social media and messaging platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Zangi and iMessage.
Further findings by the EFCC established that he allegedly targeted his victim, identified as Gary Brewer, a United States citizen, through the Zangi messaging application. The suspect reportedly posed as an American woman named Julie Leach to establish contact with Brewer.
During their interactions, Olamilekan allegedly informed the victim that he had won a $250 million lottery prize but needed financial assistance to activate the winnings and facilitate their release.
He subsequently persuaded Brewer to purchase and send gift cards through the messaging platform under the pretext of helping him access the purported lottery fortune.
The EFCC said the defendant admitted during investigations that he sold the gift cards through Cardsonic, exchanged the proceeds for naira and transferred the money into his grandmother’s OPay account.
He also acknowledged receiving $800 as proceeds from the fraudulent transaction.
Olamilekan was among 21 individuals suspected of internet fraud who were arrested by EFCC operatives during a coordinated sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, on October 26, 2026.
