EFCC Arraigns Man in Kaduna for Defrauding American of $800

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continues its relentless pursuit of cybercriminals with the arraignment of one Sunday Simon, alias Ryan Eggold, before Justice A.A Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court in Kaduna on October 16, 2023.

Simon stands accused of defrauding an American citizen, Garri Kalish, of the sum of $800 (Eight Hundred Dollars).

Simon faces two-count charges related to cybercrime, with one of the counts accusing him of obtaining $800 from Garri Kalish under the false pretense of being involved in a romantic relationship, a deception he knew to be untrue.

This act contravenes Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offense Act, 2006, and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

The accused pleaded not guilty to both charges. The prosecution counsel, K. Ogunlade, requested a trial date and the defendant’s remand at the Kaduna Correctional Centre. However, the defense counsel, K.S Istifanus, orally applied for bail, a request that was opposed by Ogunlade.

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Justice Isiaka adjourned the case until October 24, 2023, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered the defendant’s remand at the Kaduna Correctional Centre.

Sunday Simon was apprehended by EFCC operatives at Agwa, Trikania in Kaduna during a sting operation. Subsequent investigations revealed various fake Instagram and Facebook accounts, where Simon posed as American actor Ryan Eggold in conversations with unsuspecting women. The EFCC continues to combat cybercrime and protect citizens from fraudulent activities.