Sunday Eboh, a retired football player was found guilty of participating in a romance fraud scheme that ultimately cost an elderly Maltese widow €58,700.
The news, largely reported in Maltese papers, unveils the fraudulent scheme that led to the conviction of Eboh, with a fellow Nigerian, Tony Ogbonna.
The two men were sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of €20,000.
The victim, an elderly Maltese woman whose name was kept secret to protect her identity, fell for an online romance with Smith Jones, a person she thought was an American soldier serving in Afghanistan who was allegedly going to Malta after his assignment was over.
Eboh was found guilty by the court and given six months to return the money.
His lawyers appeal the court decision.
Eboh is a well known man in Malta, the former footballer spent the last 20 years playing for several Maltese clubs, including Marsa, Birkirkara, Floriana, Marsaxlokk, Naxxar, and Pembroke. He retired in 2020.