A Federal High Court in Lagos has recently handed down a two-year prison sentence to Courage Ipaka for assuming the identity of prominent Nigerian musician Flavour and defrauding a US-based individual, Yvette M. Thompson, of a significant sum totalling $53,000.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spearheaded the investigation, which identified Ipaka’s use of Flavour’s persona to entice the victim into a purported music event organization in the United States, with payments facilitated through Bitcoin transactions.

An investigation ensued after a petition on lodged by Eyitayo Tolulope Abiodun on behalf of Thompson and other concerned parties.

The EFCC, under the guidance of lead investigator Azibagiri Dan Ekpar, contacted the actual Flavour during the inquiry, affirming his non-involvement in the illicit operation.

This pursuit led to the location of Ipaka in Benin City.

Ipaka admitted to the offence during interrogation, conceding that he misrepresented himself as the artist to perpetrate the fraud.

Notably, the misappropriated funds, channelled through Bitcoin, were eventually converted into Naira and deposited into his Access Bank account, with a total of N7.9 million in traced transactions.

Adhering to the proceedings, it was disclosed that a portion of the embezzled funds had been recuperated through manager’s checks from Zenith and Access Bank.

Presiding over the case, Judge Dehinde Dipeolu sentenced Ipaka to a two-year prison term while offering an alternative fine of N2 million. Furthermore, the court-mandated the restitution of the N7.9 million to Thompson.

This ruling underscores the continuous endeavours of Nigerian authorities to combat the surge of cyber fraud and fraudulent impersonation.