A Nigerian internet fraudster, Chima Hyginus Nkwocha, popularly known as ‘Young Billionaire,’ has been sentenced to two years in prison with an option of a fine of N2,000,000.
Nkwocha was found guilty of cheating by impersonation and money laundering after defrauding an American woman, Linda Wheeler, of $345,000.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Nkwocha with two counts bordering on cheating by impersonation and money laundering.
He was arrested in August 2024 at the Lugbe area of Abuja following intelligence received by the EFCC’s Advanced Fee Fraud Section.
During the arrest of the fraudster, several items were recovered, including:
- A black Mercedes Benz ML 350
- Gold jewelry and $2,200 cash
- N90,280,934.00 in the Ginux Global
- Nigeria Ltd Zenith Bank account
- Properties in Lagos and Abuja
- Zenith Bank drafts and electronic devices
The court ordered the forfeiture of these items, being proceeds of crime, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Nkwocha’s case is not an isolated incident. There have been several cases of Nigerian internet fraudsters being sentenced to prison for defrauding foreigners.
For instance, a Nigerian national was sentenced to 85 months in prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme.
