Fact Check: Did EFCC Prosecute 7-Year-Old as Youngest Internet Fraudster in the World?
Claim: A viral video claiming that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested a 7-year-old boy for internet fraud has been making the rounds on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.
Full Text: The video alleges that the boy was recognized by Guinness World Records as the youngest internet fraudster in the world. The video has sparked reactions among Nigerians, highlighting the need for accurate information in the digital age.
A mugshot of the young boy has this inscription: “A 7-year-old Nigerian boy who broke the Guinness World Record for being the youngest internet fraudster…..” The EFCC allegedly arrested the minor at its Kaduna zonal command, causing a stir among Nigerians.
It’s important to know that the EFCC Establishment Act, first enacted in 2002 and amended in 2004, empowers the Commission to combat economic and financial crimes. The Act authorizes the EFCC to prevent, investigate, prosecute, and penalize such crimes, enabling the Commission to fulfill its mandate.
However, the Criminal Code Act Section 30 states that “children under the age of 7 are not accountable for any actions or inactions.” According to the law, unless it is demonstrated that the child had the capacity to know he ought not to commit the act or make the omission, children between the ages of 7 and 11 are not criminally accountable for any act or omission.
According to the transcript of the video, “This 7 year old Nigerian boy was arrested by the Nigerian EFCC after he successfully stole 222 million naira from the zenith bank in Kaduna state, Nigeria.
“According to a report, Victor Odeh is just 7 years old and he successfully stole 221 million naira from the zenith bank. Guess what guys, youngest internet fraudster…….”
Verification: To verify the authenticity of the video, PRNigeria fact-check team conducted an online keyword search and results revealed that the alleged internet fraudster is Victor Uche Udeh, whose case dates back to June 23, 2023. The offense involves an internet fraud case.
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Fact-check findings revealed that multiple media reports have covered the case, and the agency has publicly distanced itself from the misinformation surrounding the issue.
Findings show that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission confirmed the arrest of an internet fraudster, but debunked reports claiming that one Victor Odeh convicted for internet fraud is seven years old. The EFCC made this clarification in a statement posted on its official X handle with a caption, “FALSE NARRATIVES ABOUT VICTOR OCHE ODEH’S CONVICTION.” The commission stated that Odeh is 19 and not seven years old on 12 July 2023.
The full statement released by the agency reads in parts: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to some insinuation and contrived accounts of the conviction of an internet fraudster, Victor Oche Odeh by Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court on July 21, 2023.
“Odeh, 19, was among five undergraduates convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment each, after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on internet fraud. The other convicts are: Chidebere Stanley Opara( a.ka. Avail Hollywood), Manasseh Sefa Ephraim (a.k.a Felicia_dannyyels), Chukwukere Obinna Paul( a.ka. Shaun Lee) and Enyogu Etim Ekpo( a.ka.a Henry Wilson, Jasdev 7).”
“Facts are sacred. Information about the offense, prosecution, conviction and sentence of Odeh are in all social media platforms of the EFCC. The public is enjoined to ignore any hoopla connected to his conviction.”
Conclusion: PRNigeria fact-check team discovered that the reports of the EFCC arresting a 7-year-old boy for internet fraud in December 2023 are not accurate. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) clarified that the individual in question, Victor Oche Odeh, was actually 19 years old at the time of his arrest and conviction. Equally, Guinness World Records has not confirmed the recognition of any such record.
PRNigeria fact-check team therefore concludes that the claims that EFCC arrested a 7 year old Nigerian boy for internet fraud is Misleading.
By PRNigeria
