A Nigerian man, Praise Humphrey Igbo, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Jabi, Abuja, for defrauding an American citizen of $115,000 in a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme.
Igbo, who was also known by the alias Jessica Allen, was convicted on December 11, 2024, by Justice H.L. Abba-Aliyu after pleading guilty to charges of internet fraud and criminal impersonation.
Igbo was accused of pretending to be a successful cryptocurrency investor, “Jessica Allen,” and deceiving Aaron Bakker, an American from East Baton Rouge Parish, into transferring $115,000 worth of Bitcoin.
The funds were obtained through fraudulent means on Blockchain.com after Igbo presented a false investment opportunity.
The charge against Igbo stated that he had defrauded Bakker of 5.26 Bitcoins, valued at $115,000, by posing as a legitimate cryptocurrency trader.
He was charged under Section 321 of the Penal Code Act Abuja and faced a penalty under Section 324 of the same law.
Following his guilty plea, the prosecution, led by M.K. Hussain, requested a conviction and appropriate sentencing.
In addition to the one-year prison term, Igbo was given the option to pay a fine of one million naira (N1,000,000).
The court also ruled that cryptocurrency assets worth $16,110 and $67,487.79, as well as the funds from his bank account, be used to compensate the victim, Aaron Bakker, through the American Embassy.
