Nigerian scammer, Olalekan Ponle, better known as Woodberry, who scammed companies of millions has pleaded guilty in the United States. image via Facebook/ Naija Bombshells
Nigerian serial scammer pleads guilty in the United States
Nigerian scammer, Olalekan Ponle, better known as Woodberry, who scammed companies off millions has pleaded guilty in the United States.
Nigerian scammer, Olalekan Ponle, better known as Woodberry, who scammed companies of millions has pleaded guilty in the United States. image via Facebook/ Naija Bombshells
Nigerian scammer, Olalekan Ponle, better known as Woodberry, has pleaded guilty to a fraud charge at a United States district court.
According to Premium Times, Woodberry is well-known to be an ally of another Nigerian international fraudster, Ramon Abbas, alias Hushpuppi.
Hushpuppi and Woodberry performed extensive international online scams.
SCAMMERS ARRESTED IN 2020
They were arrested on 20 July 2020 in Dubai and were taken to the United States to face separate trials.
Hushpuppi was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment and was ordered to pay $1.7 million (more than R30 billion) restitution in November 2022.
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Woodberry reportedly defrauded a US company of about $188,000 (over R300 million). He maintained his innocence for two years until recently when he appeared before the court on 6 April.
He defrauded the company through online scams involving business email comprise schemes.
SENTENCING IS TO BE HANDED DOWN IN JULY
The court has scheduled 11 July 2023 for Woodberry’s sentencing.
The prosecutor is pushing for the court to order the defendant to make full restitution in the amount outstanding at the time of sentencing.
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WOODBERRY’S ASSETS SEIZED
Peoples Gazette reported that Woodberry’s luxury cars, and designer watches he had stashed in Dubai had been taken.
The high-end automobiles include Rolls Royce Cullinan with vehicle no J9153, Lamborghini Urus (N4973) and Mercedes-Benz G-class (G68816).
Other items seized are four Rolex watches, one Patek Philippe watch, three Audemars Piguet watches, three gold and diamond-studded earrings, and six gold neck chains, said the report.
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