November 2, 2026
By Stephen Iwuh | Dalena Reporters
A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced an 18-year-old man, Hassan Usman Olamilekan, after he pleaded guilty to laundering $800 obtained through a gift card fraud scheme involving a United States citizen.
Justice Dipeolu convicted Olamilekan on October 30, 2026, following a one-count charge brought against him by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under Nigeria’s Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The court imposed a fine of ₦200,000 and ordered Olamilekan to remit another ₦1 million to the Federal Government as restitution. He is to remain in a correctional centre until the fine and restitution are paid.
Justice Dipeolu also ordered the forfeiture of an iPhone 11 Pro and a Poco C71 mobile phone recovered in connection with the case.
According to the EFCC, Olamilekan was charged with disguising the origin of $800 in gift cards that were allegedly proceeds of unlawful activity. The charge was filed under Section 18(2)(a), punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
After Olamilekan entered his guilty plea, EFCC operative Ebuka Abanga reviewed the facts of the case before the court. Justice Dipeolu subsequently found the defendant guilty and convicted him.
The EFCC said its investigation found that Olamilekan operated several social media and messaging accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Zangi and iMessage, which investigators linked to fraudulent activities and lottery scams.
Investigators said Olamilekan met his victim, identified as Gary Brewer, a United States citizen, through the Zangi messaging application. According to the EFCC, he allegedly impersonated an American woman named Julie Leach while communicating with Brewer.
The EFCC said Olamilekan told Brewer that he had won a $250 million lottery prize but needed money to activate the winnings before he could claim the money. He subsequently persuaded the victim to send gift cards through the messaging platform.
The defendant admitted selling the gift cards through the Cardsonic application, converting the proceeds into Nigerian currency and transferring the money to his grandmother’s OPay account. He reportedly confessed to benefiting by $800 from the scheme.
Olamilekan was among 21 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by EFCC operatives during a sting operation at Applewood Estate on Orchid Road in Lekki, Lagos State, on October 26.
The wider EFCC operation targeted individuals suspected of obtaining money from victims through gift cards, cryptocurrency and international money transfers while allegedly impersonating other people. Five exotic vehicles were also recovered during the operation.
The EFCC said preliminary investigations after the raid resulted in 19 of the 21 arrested individuals being indicted, while two were released. The commission said those indicted would be arraigned in court.
The Applewood Estate operation also attracted public attention after reports concerning the conduct of EFCC operatives circulated. The commission subsequently defended the operation, saying it had been conducted professionally and denying allegations of harassment, intimidation or unlawful arrests.
In Olamilekan’s case, however, the investigation quickly proceeded to prosecution, with the teenager entering a guilty plea and being convicted only days after his arrest.
The case highlights the increasingly international nature of internet-enabled financial fraud, in which perpetrators can use social media, messaging applications and digital payment platforms to target victims across national borders.
It also demonstrates the EFCC's continuing efforts to pursue suspected cyber-enabled financial crimes and prosecute individuals accused of laundering proceeds obtained through fraudulent schemes.
With the court order now in place, Olamilekan will remain in custody until the ₦200,000 fine and ₦1 million restitution are paid, while the two mobile phones connected to the case have been forfeited to the authorities.