Accra, July 8, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday nearly handed down custodial sentences on two students who were found guilty for engaging in internet fraud.

But following a plea of mitigation put in by their lawyers, they were sentenced to a fine of GH¢1,800 each or in default serve nine years' jail term each.

The students are James Ankrah of the National Vocational Training Institute and Enoch Quao of the Tema Secondary School. They were accused of using Visa credit cards of two Americans to purchase three multi media players on the internet to the tune of 4,724 dollars.

The two pleaded not guilty to four counts of conspiracy and stealing. The court presided over by Mrs Elizabeth Ankomah was of the view that they should be given a custodial sentence to serve as deterrent to the youth engaged in internet fraud, aka "Sakawa."

Their lawyers prayed the court to take into consideration the fact that they were students and a custodial sentence would affect them. Deputy Superintendent of Police Paul K. Frimpong said on December 2, 2007 the Ghana Police Service received information that Ankrah had fraudulently obtained information on the credit cards of two Americans - Allen Pickett and Sheri Hartsell - and had succeeded in purchasing three multi media players and stamps with them.

When they turned up at the Post Office to receive the items bought on line they were arrested and handed over to the police. The prosecution said police investigations revealed that Ankrah and Quao had never traveled to the USA and they used stolen credit cards totaling 4,724 dollars to purchase items and stamps without the two Americans' consent. 8 July 09