EFCC Arraigns Fake Matchmaker For Alleged Internet Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Command, has arraigned one Audu Ishida, also known as Baddie Kylemilli, on charges related to internet fraud.

Ishida faces allegations of impersonation, retention of proceeds of crime, and money laundering.

The EFCC announced the arraignment on its official X handle on Tuesday, disclosing that the case is being heard before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna State.

According to the EFCC, Ishida was arrested alongside other members of an alleged internet fraud ring in Jos, the Plateau State capital, following an intelligence-driven raid by operatives from the Kaduna Zonal Command.

The anti-graft body said investigations revealed that Ishida created fake online video content and dating sites to defraud unsuspecting victims.

“Further inquiries showed that he obtained his illicit earnings through gift cards. These were traded online using an FSS card app in foreign currency, then converted to Naira and deposited into his bank accounts,” the EFCC said.

The charge against Ishida reads, “That you, Audu Ishida (Baddie Kylemilli), on or about the 2nd of June, 2024, in Jos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, retained the total sum of $50 USD from your victim, which you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 20(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 20(b) of the same Act.”

Ishida pleaded “not guilty” to the charge.

The prosecution counsel, M.E. Eimonye, requested a trial date from the court and for the suspect to be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The defense counsel, Umar Usman, did not oppose the requests.

Justice Buhari then ordered Ishida’s remand in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kaduna, and adjourned the case to November 7, 2024, for the commencement of the trial.