Three Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to a combined total of 11 years in prison by the Portsmouth Crown Court in the UK for their involvement in defrauding major phone companies of over £400,000.
The organized crime group targeted companies including Vodafone, EE, O2, and the Carphone Warehouse.
The offenses came to light when a Hampshire resident reported unauthorized mobile phone accounts opened in his name between February 14 and 19, 2020. Contracts were fraudulently obtained from EE, with additional purchases made at Carphone Warehouse, O2, and Vodafone stores using stolen personal details.
Operation Waterspout, led by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, investigated the group's high-value commercial fraud activities. The fraudsters utilized stolen personal details from existing customers across England and Wales to obtain new phone contracts and expensive items such as Apple Watches and iPads.
Nigerians on social media expressed a range of reactions to the news. While some condemned the actions of the convicted individuals, others lamented the tarnishing of Nigeria's image.
One commenter highlighted the ease of success through crime compared to honest living, urging for a shift in societal values towards contentment and integrity.
Despite the negative spotlight cast on Nigerians involved in criminal activities overseas, there were calls for introspection and collective efforts to address the root causes of such behavior within the community.
