Nigerian fraudster gets four-year jail term for hacking American agency’s email

A Lagos State High Court on Thursday June 11 sentenced one Osarenwinda Idahor (a.k.a Ösas Idahor) to two years imprisonment on each of the two-count charge bordering on “possession of document containing false pretence”.

The convict was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission sequel to a petition from NASA OIG Computer Crimes Division Goddard Space Flight Centre, United States, alleging that the suspect hacked into the e-mail account of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to send scam messages for advance fee fraud.

NASA is the United States government agency responsible for the civilian space programme as well aeronautics and aerospace research.

Investigation by the EFCC revealed that the convict disguised himself to be one Mrs Carlow Charles, a cancer patient who wanted to donate the sum of $10,500,000 (Ten Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars Only) to the motherless, widows and less privileged.

The convict upon arraignment on May 25, 2015, pleaded guilty to the charge.

Consequently, Justice S.S. Ogunsanya adjourned the case to June 11 for ruling and sentencing.

When the matter was called June 11, Justice Ogunsanya sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment without any option of fine on each of the count charges. The sentences are to run concurrently.