Nigerian Man Imprisoned Over $115,000 Bitcoin Scam Involving American

For committing $115,000 in online fraud, Praise Humphrey Igbo, better known as Jessica Allen, was given a one-year prison sentence by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

Justice H.L. Abba-Aliyu gave the ruling on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Igbo faced a single count of criminal impersonation, money laundering, cyber crime, and acquiring money under false pretenses.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, said that Igbo had tricked Aaron Baker, an American victim, by pretending to be a profitable cryptocurrency trader named “Jessica Allen.”

Section 321 of the Penal Code Act Abuja, Cap 532 LFN 2004, states that Igbo “fraudulently obtained 5.26 Bitcoins worth One Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($115,000) by false pretense.” Section 324 of the same Act imposes penalties for this offense.

Following Igbo’s guilty plea to the charge, M.K. Hussain, the EFCC’s attorney, asked for his conviction and sentencing.

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Judge Abba-Aliyu gave Igbo a one-year prison term with a fine of N1 million as an alternative.

She also decided that money in Igbo’s bank account and money collected from him should be utilized to reimburse the victim via the US Embassy.