Nigerian Mum Nabbed for Role in Defrauding UK Students Online

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A 46-year-old Nigerian mum, Ruth Smith-Ajala, who aided defrauding hundreds of UK students online has been ordered to pay back close to £630,000 after admitting she made £1.2million from the shady deal.

According to a report by UK Metropolitan Police, the Old Bailey on Monday, September 14, heard how she was jailed in December 2013 for her part in conning students out of more than £1.5m.

The report adds students were sent emails inviting them to update details on their student loan account via a link to a bogus website.

A cyber crime gang subsequently gained unauthorised access to their bank accounts, stealing large amounts of money when the poor student logged on to the site.

Smith-Ajala reportedly used her share of the ill-gotten money to buy products in the UK, which she then shipped to Lagos for sale.

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During her trial, she was found guilty of conspiracy to launder money and mortgage fraud relating to seven houses which she rented out in Gravesend, Northfleet and Chatam, in Kent; Grays, in Essex; and Catford, in London.

Authorities obtained a restraint order for the properties and Smith-Ajala’s banks accounts were frozen, stopping her from selling the houses and hiding the money.

As a result of the confiscation proceedings, she will now have to sell the houses, using the profits and rent money to pay the confiscation sum.

Detective Inspector, Pete Ward, said: “…It is ironic that Smith-Ajala helped defraud hundreds of students while paying for one of her own children to be privately educated. She has just three months to pay back the money she obtained, or face a further five years in prison. If she doesn’t pay the money by the time she is out of prison, the order will remain and her finances will be scrutinized to ensure she continues to pay up.”