Two Convicted in Maiduguri for Online Fraud and Money Laundering

The Federal High Court in Maiduguri, Borno State, has convicted two individuals, Ishaku John Aliyu and Ijudigal Saleh, for money laundering and online fraud, marking another successful prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judgment was delivered on Thursday, May 29, 2025, by Justice H. Dagat, following a guilty plea by both defendants to two counts of cyber fraud, impersonation, and unlawful possession of the proceeds of crime.

The convicted fraudsters orchestrated elaborate scams targeting unsuspecting foreign nationals, leveraging fake digital identities, lottery fraud, and gift card scams to extract money under false pretenses.

In one of the cases, Ijudigal Saleh generated $2,000 (₦2.5 million) through PayPal and gift card fraud, impersonating fictitious characters such as Dennis, Cynthiana, Daniella Lam, Gonzalez, and Dave Suyer.

“Saleh purposely created a false identity and provided victims with fictitious names to build trust and lure foreign nationals to send money under false pretence,” said EFCC prosecutor Abdulmalik D. Aliyu during court proceedings.

Justice Dagat sentenced Saleh to two years' imprisonment on both charges. However, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of two years.

No details were disclosed about restitution to the victims or asset forfeiture, but EFCC sources confirmed that digital evidence from email trails and payment receipts was critical to securing the conviction.

This case highlights how Nigerian cybercriminals are evolving with increasingly sophisticated methods, posing a threat not just locally, but to international cyber safety. It also signals the EFCC’s intensifying clampdown on cross-border online fraud ahead of global travel seasons and tech-related scams.