The Kaduna State Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned one Sunday Simon, popularly known as Eggold, at the state’s high court, for allegedly defrauding an American, Garri Kalish, of the sum of $800.
This was disclosed on the official X page of the EFCC on Wednesday.
According to the post, Simon engaged in dishonest practices while pretending to be romantically involved with Kalish. He was arraigned on a two-count bordering on cybercrime.
The post added that the offenses he committed “contravened Sections 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act, 2006, and were punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The counts partly read “That you, Sunday Simon (a.k.a Ryan Eggold), male, sometime in April 2023 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of $800(eight hundred United States dollars) from one Garri Kalish, a citizen of the United States of America under the pretense of being into a romantic relationship, a pretense you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offense Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence.
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the two charges. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel K. Ogunlade prayed to the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendant at the Kaduna Correctional Centre.
However, Simon was arrested by agents from the EFCC’s Kaduna zonal command, and his phone contained many phony Instagram accounts.
The case was adjourned till October 24, 2023
“Meanwhile, defence counsel, K.S Istifanus, made an oral application for bail which was opposed by Ogunlade.
“After listening to both counsels, Justice Isiaka adjourned the matter till October 24, 2023, for the hearing of the bail application
“Simon was arrested by operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC at Agwa, Trikania in Kaduna in a sting operation. In the course of investigations, his mobile phone was analysed which revealed different fake Instagram accounts and Facebook accounts where he presented himself as an American actor, Ryan Eggold, in his chats with unsuspecting women,” the statement added.
