Several Facebook posts have circulated claiming that a Mississippi court sentenced three Nigerian men to 235 years in prison for cyber fraud in 2024. However, these posts are based on misinformation.
The Facebook posts, which date back to 18 July 2024, feature mugshots of three men and allege that they were convicted of charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, credit card fraud, and theft of government property. Users incorrectly identify this event as recent “breaking” news.
However, after fact-checking, Africa Check found that these claims are based on a 2017 case. A quick Google search of “Mississippi court sentences three Nigerians to 235 years in prison” revealed several reports from May 2017, which detail the sentencing of the men for their involvement in a large-scale international fraud network.
The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the sentencing in a press release dated 25 May 2017, detailing the convictions of three Nigerian nationals who had been extradited from South Africa in 2015. Their names, which match those in the viral posts, were provided in the official statement.
The confusion appears to stem from the recycling of an old news story. This case, while significant in the fight against international cybercrime, occurred several years ago and has been mistakenly re-shared as though it were a new 2024 development.
Cybercrime remains a growing issue, particularly in Nigeria, where individuals involved in online fraud face increasing global scrutiny. However, it is important to verify the facts before sharing posts that claim to present breaking news, especially on social media.
