Lagos Court Sentences 20-Year-Old for Facebook Love Scam, Imposes Jail Term and Fine

 An Ikeja Special Offences Court sentenced 20-year-old undergraduate Ganiyu Alabi to one year and two months in prison on Wednesday for a Facebook love scam. Justice Rahman Oshodi delivered the sentence, requiring Alabi to serve his term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, following a plea bargain agreement in which he admitted to possessing fraudulent documents.

In his ruling, Justice Oshodi noted the negative impact of cybercrime on Nigeria’s international image. He also acknowledged that the plea bargain saved the court time and resources. However, the judge expressed skepticism about the defendant's remorse, noting that Alabi had lied to the court about when he began internet fraud. "I do not believe you are genuinely sorry," Oshodi said, highlighting that Alabi’s confession indicated he started online scams in 2023, not this year as he claimed.

In addition to the prison sentence, Alabi was given the option of paying a N1 million fine. He must also complete two months of community service with the Lagos State Community Service Unit, and the report of his service will be reviewed upon completion. The court further ordered that Alabi be registered as an offender in Lagos State.

Earlier, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Counsel Ahmad Usman detailed that Alabi was arrested during a sting operation in Lekki in April. The EFCC revealed that Alabi had posed as “Leana Decker,” a white woman, on Facebook, defrauding unsuspecting individuals. In his confession, Alabi admitted to profiting $1,000 from the scam. The prosecution presented bundles of fraudulent documents, which were accepted as evidence with no objection from the defense. 

The EFCC prosecutor also noted that Alabi had returned N500,000 to the commission. The offense was prosecuted under Section 320 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.