A High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State capital, has sentenced two internet fraudsters to 30 months in prison, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The anticrime agency, in a statement on Wednesday, said that Noah Omoregbe (a.k.a Frank Mark) and Destiny Efewengbe (a.k.a William Scot ) were convicted before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court.

The defendants were arraigned on one count of impersonation and intent to defraud contrary to section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of defunct Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976 and punishable under the same Law.

Having pleaded guilty, Omoregbe bagged two years behind bars with an option of a fine of N200,000 while Efewengbe was sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of N200,000 as a fine.

The charge against Omoregbe read, “That you Noah Omoregbe (a.k.a Frank Mark) on or about the 21st day of June 2021 at Yoruba Street, Benin City, within the jurisdiction of this Hounourable Court, did with intent to defraud, falsely represented yourself as one Frank Mark, an American Soldier, and sent scam messages to one Liud Mila via your iPhone X with IMEI No: 354862090120911 with intent to obtain money from her and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of defunct Bendel State of Nigeria ( as applicable in Edo State), 1976 and punishable under the same Law.”

For Efewengbe, his charge read, “That you Destiny Efewengbe (a.k.a William Scot) on or about the 7th day of May, 2021 at Ugbor Area, Benin City, within the jurisdiction of this Hounourable Court did with intent to defraud falsely represented yourself as one William Scot (a white man) and sent scam messages to one Yaun Tested via your iPhone 11 pro Max with IMEI No: 353926104836894 with intent to obtain money from her and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48, Laws of defunct Bendel State of Nigeria ( as applicable in Edo State) 1976 and punishable under the same Law.”

The judge also ordered that the recovered items from the defendants during investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.