2 Nigerians jailed over £19million internet scam

Two young Nigerians based in Manchester, United Kingdom have been

punished by a Crown Court for their part in a Nigerian inspired

internet banking scam which could have netted a phenomenal £19million

after hacking the accounts of nearly 2,500 people.

The Mail Online reported today that Aderoju Bammeke, 22, and his

girlfriend Jessica Ogunyemi, 20, both of Manchester, were the UK

'platform' for a Nigerian 'phishing' scam that made £41,000 in just

two months.

The plot, alleged to be masterminded by a gang based in Nigeria,

involved sending fake emails to customers of banks including Barclays

and Halifax.

According to The Mail report, the emails told recipients that their

accounts had been hacked and asked them to complete a form with their

log-in details.

Banmeke: jailed for phising scam

"But when victims obliged, Bammeke stepped in and helped the gang log

in to steal money.

"Fashion marketing student Ogunyemi, his girlfriend at the time,

helped him launder the proceeds by putting funds in accounts, hiding

cash and allowing him to buy her a £2,400 Vauxhall Corsa.

Jessica Ogunyemi, marketing student gets suspended sentence

"Bammeke has now been jailed for three-and-a-half years at Manchester

Crown Court after admitting conspiracy to commit fraud and

unauthorised computer use.

"Ogunyemi admitted five counts of money laundering and was given a

suspended prison sentence.

"Investigators found evidence of the scam on seven devices at

Bammeke's home, which had accessed 181 accounts from his address.

"But Barclays found 2,439 customers had been affected and

investigators say the true scale of the fraud will never be known.

"Bammeke admitted he had been involved in the scam for more than a

year. He played a 'key role' as England's 'platform' for the scam, the

court heard.

"He said if the gang had tried to log into accounts from Nigeria it

would have triggered the banks' alarm systems.

"Simon Nichol, defending Bammeke, said he felt regret and remorse for

his actions.

"He said his involvement – which began in an effort to tackle student

debt – was 'sporadic' and although the scam was large scale with

international dimensions, Bammeke's part was not.

"He added: 'They needed a platform in this jurisdiction and they

needed someone to provide that platform. He allowed them to use his

computer remotely. He expresses further regret that he got his

girlfriend involved in this.'

"Michael Lavery, defending Ogunyemi, said she had brought shame on her

family, including her train driver father and mother who works for

Manchester council.

"He said she had been 'naive', was predicted to get a first in her

degree and was no longer in a relationship with Bammeke.

"Bammeke had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to conspiracy to

commit fraud and unauthorised computer use while Ogunyemi admitted

five counts of money laundering.

"Sentencing Bammeke, Judge Recorder Gibson said: 'This in my opinion

was a sophisticated fraud, a clever fraud and a fraud which could very

easily have resulted in very much more substantial money being

stolen.'

"He jailed Ogunyemi for a year, suspended for two years, and ordered

her to complete 180 hours' unpaid work.