A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted an 18-year-old, Hassan Usman Olamilekan, for laundering $800 obtained through a gift card scam targeting a United States citizen.
Justice Dipeolu, sitting at the Ikoyi division of the court, delivered the judgment on October 30, 2026, following the defendant’s guilty plea to a one-count money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1.
According to the EFCC, the charge was brought under Section 18(2)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, with punishment prescribed under Section 18(3) of the same legislation.
The prosecution accused Olamilekan of disguising the source of $800 held in gift cards, which allegedly represented proceeds from his fraudulent activities.
The charge read: “That you, Hassan Usman Olamilekan, sometime in 2026 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly disguised the origin of the sum of $800 (Eight Hundred United States Dollars) in gift cards, which sum forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022”.
Following his admission of guilt, an EFCC operative, Ebuka Abanga, presented the facts of the case before the court, after which Justice Dipeolu found him guilty and entered a conviction.
The court fined the teenager N200,000 and directed him to pay an additional N1 million to the Federal Government as restitution. He was ordered to remain in the correctional centre until both financial obligations are settled.
Justice Dipeolu also directed that two mobile phones recovered during the investigation, an iPhone 11 Pro and a Poco C71, be forfeited.
EFCC investigations established that Olamilekan, who reportedly claimed to be from the Republic of Benin despite being born in Nigeria, was involved in lottery-related fraud and operated several online platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Zangi and iMessage.
The commission identified his alleged victim as Gary Brewer, a US citizen whom he reportedly contacted through the Zangi messaging application. Investigators said Olamilekan impersonated a white American woman named Julie Leach during their interaction.
He allegedly convinced Brewer that he had won a $250 million lottery prize but needed to pay money to activate the winnings before they could be released. The victim was subsequently persuaded to send gift cards through the messaging platform.
During investigations, Olamilekan reportedly admitted selling the gift cards through the Cardsonic application, converting the proceeds into naira and transferring the money into his grandmother’s OPay account. He also acknowledged receiving $800 from the scheme.
The 18-year-old was among 21 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by EFCC operatives during a raid at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos State, on October 26, 2026.
His arrest preceded his conviction and sentencing by the Lagos Federal High Court four days later.
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