Unilag Student Gets 18 Months Jail Term For Internet Scam

A student of the University of Lagos, Michael Opaleye was today sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by a Lagos State High Court for allegedly defrauding an American lady, Kathy Lunsford through the internet.
The Computer Science student of UNILAG pleaded guilty to the charge of obtaining by false pretence and forgery after defrauding Miss Kathy Lunsford to the tune of 9,200 US dollars under the pretext of getting married to her. He also forged a Nigeria drivers’ Licence No. WWD24174AAJ, which he claimed, was issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and a bank draft which he claimed was issued by the Bank of Ireland, Dublin
He however entered into a plea bargain deal with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and offered to pay back the money to his victim.
Justice Aishat Opesanwo in her judgment said the sentence would commence on 15 March when he was first arraigned before the court, adding that Opaleye after his release from prison, should pay N100,000 monthly to the victim through the EFCC until the total amount involved in the scam is refunded.
According to EFCC counsel, Mr Anselem Ozioko, Opaleye had between 2008 and 2011, swindled Lunsford by making a fake 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 where the convict lied he was based, to the United States of America to facilitate their marriage.