Olalekan Jacob Ponle, also known as Mr. Woodberry, a notorious internet fraudster has entered a plea of guilt with the U.S. authorities and agreed to hand over $8 million in wire fraud proceeds as well as expensive cars and watches to the foreign government.
The eight-count fraud charges against Mr. Woodberry, who frequently flaunted his opulent lifestyle on Instagram, was initially brought against him for participating in a scheme known as business email compromise (BEC). At first, he entered a not guilty plea.
However, according to a plea declaration filed at the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division of the United States District Court on April 6, Mr. Woodberry had a rethink and is now pleading guilty to count one of the indictments.
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He was obliged to give back the $8 million he fraudulently took from the seven businesses that fell for his con, per the terms of his plea agreement.
“Defendant understands that by pleading guilty, he will subject to forfeiture to the United States all right, title, and interest that he has in any property constituting or derived from proceeds obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of the offence,” stated the document containing Mr Ponle’s signed plea declaration.
Additionally, Mr. Ponle was requested to renounce his claim to the expensive cars and designer watches he had hidden away in Dubai.
The expensive cars include a Lamborghini Urus (N4973), a Mercedes-Benz G-class (G68816), and a Rolls-Royce Cullinan (Vehicle No. J9153).
Four Rolex watches, one Patek Philippe watch, three Audemars Piguet watches, three pairs of gold and diamond stud earrings, and six gold neck chains are among the additional things taken.
In an effort to get back all of the stolen money from the Nigerian fraudster, he surrendered 151.8 Bitcoin, or about $6 million, to the American government last year.
On June 10, 2020, Ramon Hushpuppi Abbas, who is presently serving an 11-year term for a charge of similar fraud, and Mr. Ponle were both taken into custody in Dubai.
Prior to his arrest in 2020, Mr. Woodberry was well-known for flaunting his ill-gotten wealth to his large Instagram following, the bulk of whom had no idea that his extravagant lifestyle was supported by cybercrime.
SOURCE: MYJOYONLINE
