A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Nigeria has sentenced Courage Ipaka, an impersonator of popular Nigerian musician Flavour, to two years in prison for defrauding a U.S.-based woman of $53,000.

A Federal High Court in Lagos, Nigeria has sentenced Courage Ipaka, an impersonator of popular Nigerian musician Flavour, to two years in prison for defrauding a U.S.-based woman of $53,000.

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) led the investigation into Ipaka’s activities, following a petition filed by Eyitayo Tolulope Abiodun and other concerned parties on behalf of the victim, Yvelte M. Thompson.

The EFCC’s lead investigator, Azibagiri Dan Ekpar, detailed the case in court on Tuesday, outlining how Ipaka posed as Flavour, promising to organise music shows in the United States in exchange for payment.

According to Ekpar, Ipaka received the funds from Thompson through Bitcoin transactions, which were subsequently converted into Naira and deposited into his Access Bank account.

The investigation revealed that Ipaka, who resides in Benin City, Edo State, had successfully orchestrated the scam in 2021, capitalizing on Thompson’s trust.