- Wilson Daphey faces nine-count charges including money laundering
The trial of Wilson Daphey, also known as Jefrey Guiseppe, continued before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, October 6, 2023. Daphey faces nine-count charges related to obtaining money under false pretenses and money laundering. The charges stem from his alleged manipulation and receipt of £130,000 (One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Euros) from Ms. Petra Goschenhofer, a German national, with the aid of accomplices who remain at large.
Ms. Goschenhofer took the stand during the trial and recounted the elaborate love scam that led to her substantial financial loss. She revealed how she had initially connected with a man on Instagram in 2008, who identified himself as Jeffrey Guiseppe, a purported bitcoin trader and prospective business partner. Despite declining the business offer, the two continued conversing about Guiseppe’s career and family.
Guiseppe claimed to be a Building Engineer based in the United States but with roots in Rome, Italy. He presented himself as a single father of two, and over time, their conversations evolved from business matters to personal ones. “After a while, he told me he was in love with me, and I fell for him,” Ms. Goschenhofer confessed.
However, the relationship took a sinister turn when Guiseppe began requesting money. He explained that his building equipment was detained in Dubai, and he needed funds to release it. Assuring Ms. Goschenhofer he would repay her promptly, he sent her counterfeit passports, work permits, and an agreement they both signed. She subsequently made multiple payments totaling £130,000 through Western Union.
At one point, Guiseppe claimed to be gravely ill and in a coma, prompting Ms. Goschenhofer to finance his medical treatment. Suspicion arose when she was contacted by a person named Mr. Bah on WhatsApp, who warned that Guiseppe might not survive and needed immediate surgery. Her husband was eventually informed, and the matter was reported to the police.
German law enforcement authorities discovered that the phone number Guiseppe had provided was linked to a server in Singapore, and the address and passports were all counterfeit. Due to jurisdictional restrictions, it became challenging to pursue the case outside of Europe.
In her pursuit of justice, Ms. Goschenhofer joined an online community of women with similar experiences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she managed to video call Guiseppe, exposing his true identity as a Kenyan national. Further investigation by the German embassy in Kenya confirmed his Nigerian origins.
Consequently, Ms. Goschenhofer compiled a comprehensive dossier of evidence, including photos, passports, work permits, and receipts, which she submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
Justice Olajuwon admitted all the presented evidence into the trial record and adjourned the matter to Tuesday, October 10, 2023, for cross-examination. The case serves as a stark reminder of the persistence of online love scams and the need for vigilance in the digital age.
