OUR REPORTER
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, on Thursday opened its case against an alleged romance scammer, Edidiong Nsidore James, with its first witness detailing how the defendant allegedly defrauded a foreign woman of $41,000.
Testifying before Justice Maurine Oyetenu of the Federal High Court in Uyo, Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, Unyime P. Moses, said investigators uncovered evidence of the alleged fraud from the defendant’s mobile phones. According to the witness, forensic examination of the devices revealed extensive communications between James and the victim, identified as Elizabeth, whom he allegedly addressed affectionately as “My Everything.”
The chats contained details of financial transactions and repeated demands for money.
Moses told the court that when Elizabeth requested a refund of her money, the defendant allegedly refused and instead continued to solicit additional payments under various pretexts, claiming the funds were needed before he could release the $41,000 owed to her. The witness further testified that James operated under false identities and identified himself as “Jessy James” at the time of his arrest. However, a Bank Verification Number (BVN) check later confirmed that the name was fictitious.
Moses also told the court that she personally contacted the victim during the investigation. According to her, Elizabeth became visibly upset upon hearing the defendant’s name and expressed anger over the alleged fraud, insisting that any further communication should be through her country’s embassy.
Following cross-examination, Justice Oyetenu adjourned the matter until September 22 and 23, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
James was arrested on October 8, 2025, during an intelligence-driven operation at his residence on Ring Road 3, off Camp Gee, Uyo. Items recovered from him included an iPhone 15 Pro Max, a Redmi 13 mobile phone and a Lexus ES350. The exhibits were tendered by prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, and admitted by the court.
Investigators told the court that forensic analysis of the devices uncovered communications showing how the defendant allegedly operated a romance scam scheme against Elizabeth over a period of more than three years. The investigation allegedly established that the victim sent him a total of $41,000, while he continued to demand additional funds.
During interrogation, James claimed he owned a BetNaija outlet established in 2021 and also operated a social media account-boosting business, charging between ₦30,000 and ₦40,000 per account. However, investigators said they found no evidence to support those claims or to show that clients had engaged him for such services.
Further investigations, according to the EFCC, revealed that James allegedly specialized in romance scams and identity theft, using fictitious Facebook and WhatsApp accounts to communicate with foreign victims, including Elizabeth, a Hungarian national.
Although the defendant reportedly claimed he received only $4,000 from the victim, investigators told the court that conversations retrieved from his devices suggested he obtained significantly more. James was first arraigned on January 30, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and related offences.
One of the charges alleges that he fraudulently obtained $41,000 from Elizabeth and other victims under the guise of Bitcoin and forex trading, contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
