Okotie Jailed Six Months For Romance Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of one Harry Prince Okotie, who bagged six months’ imprisonment.

Okotie was arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja for his involvement in romance scam.

The convict who presented himself as Thomas Toud, a drilling Engineer from South Korea on Facebook, had defrauded his unsuspecting victim, one Richamar, a citizen of the Philippines, to the tune of $1,500, in the guise of being in a romantic relationship with her.

He was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretences following a report received by the EFCC about his involvement in computer-related fraud.

A statement by the Head, Media, and Publicity, EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said the convict pleaded guilty to the charges during his arraignment.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Oriji convicted Okotie for romance scam and sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N1,000.

The convict was ordered to also forfeit the sum of N220,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira), being proceeds of the crime, to the federal government.