Lagos Court Convicts Man for Laundering $800 Gift Card Scam

The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced an 18-year-old man, Hassan Usman Olamilekan, over a gift card fraud scheme involving a United States citizen. Justice Dipeolu delivered the judgment on October 30, 2026, after the defendant pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of money laundering filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charge alleged that Olamilekan disguised the origin of $800 in gift cards obtained through unlawful activities, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to the EFCC’s investigation, Olamilekan met his victim, identified as Gary Brewer, through the Zangi messaging application, where he allegedly impersonated an American woman named Julie Leach. He reportedly convinced the victim that he had won a $250 million lottery prize but needed money to activate the winnings before he could claim the reward. The victim was subsequently persuaded to send gift cards through the messaging platform. Olamilekan admitted that he sold the gift cards through the Cardsonic application, converted the proceeds into naira and transferred the money to his grandmother’s OPay account. He reportedly confessed to benefiting from a total of $800.

Following the defendant’s guilty plea, an EFCC operative, Ebuka Abanga, reviewed the facts of the case before the court. Justice Dipeolu subsequently found Olamilekan guilty and sentenced him to a fine of ₦200,000. The court also ordered him to pay ₦1 million to the Federal Government as restitution. In addition, the judge ordered the forfeiture of an iPhone 11 Pro and a Poco C71 mobile phone recovered in connection with the offence. The convict is to remain in a correctional centre until he fulfils the financial obligations imposed by the court.

Olamilekan was among 21 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by EFCC operatives during a sting operation at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos, on October 26, 2026. The operation also resulted in the recovery of five exotic vehicles, while preliminary investigations reportedly implicated 19 of the suspects and led to the release of two others. The EFCC said its investigation into the activities of the suspects was part of its efforts to combat internet fraud and other financial crimes. The conviction marks one of the court outcomes following the estate operation, as the commission continues its investigations into the other suspects.