UNILAG student jailed for internet love scam

For allegedly defrauding an American lady, Kathy Lunsford through the internet under the pretext of marriage, a University of Lagos student, Michael Opaleye has been sent to jail by a Lagos State High Court

Opaleye was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment today by Justice Aishat Opesanwo for defrauding Miss Kathy Lunsford, of 9,200 US dollars under the pretext of getting married to her.

The convict who is studying computer science at UNILAG had pleaded guilty to the charge of obtaining by false pretence and forgery.

He had entered into a plea bargain deal with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) and offered to pay back the money to his victim.

The judge in her judgment, said the sentence would commence on 15 March when he was first arraigned before the court.

She also ordered Opaleye after his release from prison,to pay N100,000 monthly to the victim through the EFCC until he refunded the total amount involved in the scam.

The convict is also to forfeit the electronic appliances and other items purchased with the proceeds of the crime, which were recovered from his house during the investigation, to the EFCC.

EFCC counsel, Mr Anselem Ozioko said Opaleye had between 2008 and 2011, swindled Lunsford by making a phoney marriage proposal to her through e-mail.

He said Lunsford had sent Opaleye the said amount as part of his travelling expenses from the United Kingdom to the United States of America to facilitate their marriage.

Ozioko said the defendant forged a Nigeria drivers Licence No. WWD24174AAJ, which he claimed was issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

He said the Opaleye forged a bank draft which he claimed was issued by the Bank of Ireland, Dublin.

The offences according to him had contravened Sections 419 and 467 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State 2003.