The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Tis Hazari, Delhi has sentenced accused Solomon Emeka to undergo imprisonment for one year 2 months with a fine of Rs. 1,000. The accused has already undergone imprisonment, therefore, his deportation order after completion of sentence has also been passed. A lenient view was taken by the court against the other accused Ms. Hellen w/o accused Solomon Emeka. She was sentenced for till rising of court alongwith a fine of Rs. 1,000/-. The court has also directed the accused persons to pay total cheated amount i.e. Rs. 1,13,570/- to the complainant.
CBI had registered a case on 29.1.08 on a complaint of Calcutta based person alleging therein that he was cheated on the pretext of winning a sum of 1 million GBP in the name of a Lottery organized by M/s. National Lottery.
It was a typical case of email fraud using social engineering which are very prevalent now-a-days. In such cases, a person is lured by sending emails stating that person has won large sum of money in e-lottery or on other such pretexts. And, when the person falls in the trap, he is induced to pay money in the name of delivery charges, courier charges, Anti terrorism certificate charges, etc. etc.
During investigation, CBI had arrested a Nigerian National, namely Solomon Emeka @ Martins on 30.06.08 for his involvement in the this offence. Solomon Emeka @ Martins was in judicial custody since then. After investigation, a chargesheet was filed against accused Solomon Emeka and his wife Ms. Hellen (Indian National) on 28.08.08, for the offence in the court of CMM, Tis Hazari, Delhi. The trial court found the accused guilty for the offences and convicted them within a short period of at about one year.