Abuja court jails fake investor for duping U.S. pregnancy’s NGO $71,000

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, September 4, 2025, secured the conviction of one Dennis Tamarakuro, also known as Keisha Reynolds, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

Tamarakuro was arraigned on a one-count charge of cybercrime.

According to an EFCC statement, the charge reads:“That you, DENNIS TAMARAKURO (a.k.a Keisha Reynolds) sometime in December 2024 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, falsely represented yourself as Keisha Reynolds, a female private investor in the United States of America, and in that assumed character obtained the sum of $71,795.41 from one Philbert, through Bybit, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 as Amended in 2024 and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act.”

He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Prosecution counsel, Maryam Ahmed, then called EFCC investigator, Ogunjobi Olalekan, to present the facts of the case.

Olalekan told the court that intelligence received from the Jackson Township Police Department in the United States revealed that a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Pregnancy Support Network, was defrauded of $71,795.41. He explained that the NGO’s bank details had been compromised and the funds siphoned through a romance scam that evolved into a money mule scheme.

“The funds were traced through several intermediaries, including a suspect identified as Libson Junior, before being converted to cryptocurrency and sent to a Bitcoin address on Bybit exchange. Further investigations revealed that the wallet was owned by Tamarakuro,” Olalekan testified.

He said Tamarakuro received 0.27 Bitcoin twice from Libson Junior and later withdrew $18,000 worth of cryptocurrency via Busha exchange. Responses from both Bybit and Busha confirmed that the accounts belonged to the convict.

“Upon arrest, the allegation was brought to his attention in the presence of his lawyer. He was interviewed under video recording, cautioned and he made a voluntary statement,” Olalekan added. He also told the court that out of the $71,795.41 stolen, the EFCC recovered over $42,000 in cryptocurrency, while the rest was blocked by a U.S. bank.
The prosecution tendered documents, including Tamarakuro’s statement and exchange correspondences, which were admitted as exhibits. It also confirmed the recovery of $22,157.40 from Bybit and $20,121.41 from Busha, and prayed the court to order the sums forfeited to the victim.
Justice Nwite convicted Tamarakuro as charged.

Defence counsel, Laye Aeemokoya, however pleaded for leniency, stressing that his client was a first-time offender, a father, and caregiver to an aged mother, while also noting that all proceeds of the crime had been recovered.

In his judgment, Justice Nwite sentenced Tamarakuro to one year imprisonment with an option of N1 million fine payable to the Federal Government. He also ordered that the recovered funds be forfeited to the victim and directed the convict to swear an affidavit of good conduct.