An 18-year-old suspected internet fraudster, Hassan Usman Olamilekan, has been convicted by the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an $800 gift card fr@ud involving an American citizen.
Justice Dipeolu convicted him on October 30, 2026, after he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of money laundering filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the EFCC, Olamilekan allegedly impersonated an American woman identified as Julie Leach on the Zangi application and told his victim, a United States citizen, Gary Brewer, that he had won a $250 million lottery prize but needed money to activate the winnings.
He reportedly persuaded the victim to send him $800 worth of gift cards, which he sold through the Cardsonic application and converted to naira.
The court sentenced him to a fine of ₦200,000 and ordered him to pay ₦1 million to the Federal Government. He is to remain in the correctional centre pending payment of the fine and restitution.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of an iPhone 11 Pro and a Poco C71 recovered in connection with the offence.
Olamilekan was among 21 suspected internet fr@udsters arrested by EFCC operatives during a sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos, on October 26, 2026.
