Marriage Scam: Port-Harcourt Man Imprisoned 3 Months

A Nigerian who pretended to be an American engineer based in the United Kingdom is to spend the next three months in prison after he was convicted of fleecing an American woman of $5,260 in the course of a fictitious romantic relationship.

Onuoha Danhessy Akachuku was able to perpetrate his romantic charade through Facebook operating through many Facebook accounts, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt was told.

Akachuku was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on April 27, 2017 on a seven -count charge bordering on Conspiracy and Obtaining Money by False Pretense.

Akachukwu (alias Joe Dickson) was alleged to have sometime between 2015 and 2016, at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, obtained the sum of $2,370) from one Maria Jose Alvarez (an American) Via Money Gram. The money was transferred to his account with First Bank Plc under the pretence, that he was Joe Dickson an American Engineer based in the United Kingdom.

He had reportedly given his intention to marry her.

Akachukwu had initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him, thus necessitating his trial. However, as the trial progressed and the prosecution counsel, R.E. Alao called three witnesses to establish the case, Akachuku applied for a plea bargain and changed his plea to “guilty.”

The bargain was adopted by both the prosecution and defence counsels.

Justice Omotoshp as such on Friday convicted him accordingly and sentenced him to three months imprisonment and a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) only. The convict is also to make restitution to his victim.

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