Ogona Anita
Magistrate Court has convicted a young woman identified as Jennifer for defrauding a man named Emmanuel after collecting the sum of ₦30,000 as transport fare under false pretenses and failing to honor the agreement.
According to the charge sheet, Jennifer had promised to visit Emmanuel but allegedly failed to show up after receiving the money. The court held that her actions amounted to obtaining money by false pretenses, an offense punishable under the law.
Delivering judgment in Igbo Language, the presiding magistrate ruled that Jennifer should pay a fine of ₦450,000 or, in default, serve a seven-year prison sentence.
The case, which has generated widespread attention, highlights the growing concerns over online and relationship-related fraud, commonly referred to as “love scams.” Legal experts have warned that such acts, often trivialized on social media, fall under criminal offenses that attract severe penalties when prosecuted.
The court’s decision serves as a strong reminder that collecting money under false pretenses, regardless of the context, remains a punishable crime in Nigeria.
Jennifer is said to hail from Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area in Enugu State, Nigeria.
