“EFCC Convicts Dennis Tamarakuro for $71,795 Cyber Fraud Targeting U.S.-Based NGO

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully secured a conviction against Dennis Tamarakuro, also known as Keisha Reynolds, for defrauding a U.S.-based non-governmental organization, Pregnancy Support Network, of $71,795.41.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, delivered the verdict after Tamarakuro admitted guilt to a one-count cybercrime charge.

The charge detailed that in December 2024, Tamarakuro, pretending to be Keisha Reynolds, a female private investor from the United States, obtained $71,795.41 from an individual named Philbert via Bybit. This act violated Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

Details of the Fraud

Prosecution lawyer Maryam Aminu Ahmed presented EFCC investigator Ogunjobi Olalekan, who explained that the U.S. Jackson Township Police Department uncovered the scheme. The NGO’s bank details were compromised, and the stolen funds were rerouted through a romance scam turned money mule scheme.

The investigation traced the stolen money through intermediaries, including a suspect named Libson Junior, and ultimately converted the funds into cryptocurrency. The EFCC tracked the transactions to Tamarakuro’s Bybit account.

Olalekan stated that upon arrest, Tamarakuro was cautioned and provided a voluntary statement in the presence of his lawyer.

Recovery of Stolen Funds

The EFCC confirmed that Tamarakuro received 0.27 Bitcoin twice from Libson Junior, later withdrawing $18,000 through Busha exchange. Both Bybit and Busha verified that the accounts belonged to him.

Authorities recovered $22,157.40 from Bybit and $20,121.41 from Busha, totaling over $42,000, while the remaining balance was frozen by a U.S. bank. Tamarakuro’s voluntary statement and correspondences with the exchanges were presented as evidence in court.

Defense Plea and Court Verdict

Defense counsel Laye Aeemokoya asked for leniency, highlighting Tamarakuro’s status as a first-time offender, father, and caregiver to an elderly mother. He noted that all recovered funds would be returned to the victim.

Justice Nwite sentenced Tamarakuro to one year in prison, with an option to pay a N1 million fine to the Federal Government. The court also ordered that the recovered funds be returned to the NGO and required the convict to file an affidavit of good conduct.