In a significant ruling against cybercrime, a Nigerian internet fraudster named Ipaka Courage has been sentenced to two years in prison for impersonating popular music star Flavour and defrauding an American woman of $53,000.
The sentencing, handed down by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, followed Ipaka’s guilty plea to charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The fraudulent scheme saw Ipaka posing as Flavour to deceive the victim, Mrs. Yvelte M. Thompson, into believing he would organize concerts in the United States. Mrs.
Thompson was convinced to transfer $53,000 to Ipaka through Bitcoin wallets, which he later converted into naira and deposited into his Access Bank account. The fraud came to light after a petition was filed with the EFCC, leading to an investigation led by investigator Azibagiri Ekpar.
During the trial, the court was presented with overwhelming evidence, including Ipaka’s financial transactions and the testimony of the real Flavour, who denied any involvement in the scam.
The investigation eventually traced the crime back to Ipaka in Benin City.
Justice Dipeolu, while delivering the verdict, offered Ipaka the option to pay a fine of ₦2 million in lieu of imprisonment.
Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of ₦7.9 million recovered from Ipaka’s accounts to Mrs. Thompson as partial restitution.
This case underscores the growing problem of internet fraud in Nigeria, where cybercriminals often exploit the identities of celebrities to deceive unsuspecting victims.
The EFCC’s successful prosecution of Ipaka Courage demonstrates its commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s digital space.
The case also serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the need for stricter laws and international cooperation in the fight against online fraud.
