How billionaire internet fraudster Chima Nkwocha ran out of luck
Chima Nkwocha
Published By: Michael Adesina
By Benson Michael
Chima Hyginus Nkwocha, infamously known as “Young Billionaire,” has been sentenced to a two-year prison term by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, thereby bringing an end to his reign of cyber terror.
Nkwocha’s downward spiral began when he was apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in August 2024 at the Lugbe area of Abuja.
A thorough investigation revealed that in 2022, he had impersonated multiple individuals, including Frank Nils, Frank Cobert, Frank Brown, and Chiress Riffatt, using Gmail addresses frankcorbett272@gmail.com and chriressrifatt@gmail.com to deceive Linda Wheeler, an American, out of a staggering $345,000.
He received the naira equivalent of the money through Ginux Global Nigeria Limited with account No. 1228782493 domiciled in Zenith Bank.
The investigation further uncovered that Nkwocha had accumulated an impressive array of luxury items, including a black Mercedes Benz ML 350 with registration no. B-2 and Chassis no. 4JGDA5HB9DA105827, two gold necklaces with pendants, one gold bracelet, $2,200 cash, N90,280,934.00 in the Ginux Global Nigeria Ltd Zenith Bank (account no. 1228782493).
He also owns a three-bedroom terrace duplex at Cookies Court 2, 2nd Avenue, Ocean Palm Estate, Ogombo, Sangotedo, Ajah, Lagos, a three-bedroom bungalow and two self-contained apartments situated on Plot B023, Standard Estate, Galadima, Abuja, and a plot of land measuring about 300 square meters at Eko Beach City, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, two Zenith Bank drafts worth N5,000,000 and N3,000,000, dated September 12, 2024, and October 17, 2024, respectively.
The young billionaire also controls an iPhone 13 Pro Max, a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, and a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Shortly after his arrest, he was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on cheating by impersonation and money laundering.
When the charges were read to him, he pleaded guilty.
Nkwocha also confessed to impersonating Frank Nils, Frank Cobert, Frank Brown, and Chiress Riffatt using gmail and google voice to defraud Linda Wheeler, an American, of $345,000.
Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Lanre Adeola Olariwaju, reviewed the case against Nkwocha and prayed the court to convict him accordingly.
Olariwaju tendered several pieces of evidence, including the defendant’s extrajudicial statements, electronic devices, forensic investigation reports, among others . The defence raised no objections and the court admitted all evidence as exhibits.
Justice Nwite, satisfied with the EFCC’s submissions, found Nkwocha guilty.
The court sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N2,000,000.
Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of the following items, being proceeds of crime, to the Federal Government of Nigeria: a black Mercedes Benz ML 350, gold jewelry and $2,200 cash, N90,280,934.00 in the Ginux Global Nigeria Ltd Zenith Bank account, properties in Lagos, Abuja, and Lekki, the Zenith Bank drafts and the electronic devices recovered from the convict.
