EFCC Witness Reveals Phone Chats Showing Akwa-Ibom Man Allegedly D£frauded Foreign Lover Of $41,000

 

 

EFCC Witness Reveals Phone Chats Showing Akwa-Ibom Man Allegedly Defrauded Foreign Lover Of $41,000

The witness further alleged that the defendant mocked the victim when she threatened to report him to the anti-graft agency.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday presented chat messages allegedly recovered from a suspect’s mobile phone as it opened its case against Edidiong Nsidore James, a Uyo-based man accused of defrauding a foreign woman of $41,000 through a romance scam.

The evidence was presented before Justice Maurine Oyetenu of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, by the prosecution’s first witness, Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, Unyime P. Moses.

Testifying before the court, Moses said forensic analysis of the defendant’s mobile phone uncovered extensive communications between James and a foreign victim identified as Elizabeth, whom he allegedly addressed as “My Everything.”

According to the witness, the conversations contained details of monetary transactions and revealed how the defendant allegedly continued demanding money from the victim despite her repeated requests for a refund.

Moses told the court that one of the messages retrieved from the device showed James allegedly telling the victim: “Send me $900 if you want your money back, because if you don’t send me the $900, I won’t give you your money back.”

The witness further alleged that the defendant mocked the victim when she threatened to report him to the anti-graft agency.

According to Moses, one of the chats showed James writing: “Did you really think the EFCC could arrest me? I remember I once told you that all this won’t help us, that you sent me $900, but you refused. So, tell me, how long will it take you to stop thinking you can arrest me.”

The court also heard that the victim repeatedly pleaded with the defendant to return her money, warning that the loss had left her in severe financial distress.

In one of the conversations tendered as evidence, Elizabeth wrote: “at the end of August, the bailiff will take my apartment and because of you, I will be on the street with my child. I will never forgive you for this. If you do this to me, to whom you said you love, then what will you do to the one you don’t love? I don’t need your pity and I don’t need any feelings at all from you. I need my $41,000.”

Moses also told the court that the defendant allegedly used false identities while communicating with victims online. She said James identified himself as “Jessy James” when he was arrested, but investigators subsequently conducted a Bank Verification Number (BVN) check which revealed that the name was fictitious.

The witness further narrated how she contacted the victim during the course of the investigation. According to her, Elizabeth became visibly angry once the defendant’s name was mentioned and expressed deep frustration over her experience.

Moses quoted the victim as saying: “Don’t ever call me again, your entire country is as corrupt as Jessy and I do not wish to speak with any of you again, except through my country’s Embassy.”

The EFCC told the court that James was arrested on October 8, 2025, during an intelligence-driven sting operation at his residence located at Ring Road 3, off Camp Gee, Uyo.

Items recovered from him included an iPhone 15 Pro Max, a Redmi 13 mobile phone and a Lexus ES350 vehicle. The exhibits were tendered by prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, and admitted in evidence by the court.

According to the Commission, forensic examination of the devices uncovered communications allegedly showing how the defendant operated a romance scam targeting foreign nationals, including Elizabeth, a Hungarian woman.

Investigators alleged that James received a total of $41,000 from the victim over a period of more than three years and continued requesting additional funds.

The EFCC further stated that although the defendant claimed during interrogation that he owned a BetNaija outlet and operated a social media account-boosting business, investigators found no evidence to support those claims.

The Commission also alleged that James engaged in internet fraud involving romance scams and identity theft, using fictitious Facebook and WhatsApp accounts to communicate with victims.

James was first arraigned on January 30, 2026, on a three-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

 

Following cross-examination, Justice Oyetenu adjourned the matter until September 22 and 23, 2026, for continuation of hearing.