The day of reckoning.

I have caught one maga

Mike was smiling at his computer as he made the above statement to Ade who had paid him a visit from a neighboring town.

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Both Mike and Ade grew up in the same community, attended the same primary and secondary school before pathing ways to different Universities. They try to maintain their friendship by visiting each other often. Their Universities are only 4 kilometers apart. Just like he always does, Ade had come to visit Mike in order for the duo to plan their traveling back home for summer break together.

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The statement from Mike elicited frown reactions on the face of Ade. He readjusted the pillow giving him support against the wall as he was lying down and turned to Mike to advise him once again.

I have told you several times to put a stop to fraud. It may pay for donkey years but any day you are caught, you will regret all your actions.

These words were going out through the left ears as they were entering the right. Mike didn't consider the advice of Ade valuable. He was rather keeping his eyes on the dollar he was expecting to make from the maga.

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My guy, what will you eat? This drink can't be enough for you. Enter the kitchen and prepare rice. I have missed your wonderful cooking skills.

In his attempt to change the topic of discussion, he requested Ade who was a very good cook during their secondary school days to get into the kitchen and cook for them.

So, you are not interested in what I am saying. Well, you will remember my words of advice when the time is ripe.

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Ade stood up and got into the kitchen to prepare the food.

Oooo boy! Come and see. Mike exclaimed.

Ade rushed to the screen of Mike's computer to see a romantic picture sent to Mike by Sandra on a popular chatting platform.

I pity this woman. She is falling in love with the wrong person.

This was Ade's reaction and this didn't go well with Mike who told Ade to go back to his cooking.

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Mike had successfully initiated a romantic chat with Sandra, a single lady residing in a city in the US. Sandra, in the previous years wasn't able to get into a successful relationship with anyone within her vicinity. She decided to be active on a chatting platform to see if she could find her missing rib through such a channel.
She got a message from White, an American soldier serving as a peacekeeper in the middle east. His display picture was a fully kitted soldier. It was love at first sight. Sandra liked the appearance, the profession and everything about White.
They were in love beyond measure. They frequently chat through audio messages and Sandra loved the voice he was hearing. However, anytime she requested a video call, White would give an excuse of his service policy against personnel making video calls. Sandra didn't suspect any foul play.

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They got into investment discussions and White opted to partner with Sandra to jointly invest in some businesses in some parts of the US. This was the genesis of Sandra sending money to Mike for such investments.
Mike once made a call when he visited Ade and he changed his accent to that of an American. He was good at it. Upon enquiry about the person he was talking to, he said it was his American client.

Is it that innocent woman you call maga the other time that is now a client?

Mike was not interested in the discussion and he waved it aside as usual.

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It got to a point when Sandra was requesting to pay White a visit during any of his holidays but it was deceit upon deceit. After some time, Sandra suspected that she had been duped of her thousands of dollar savings.
He reported to the police and the police immediately swung into action. White was traced to Nigeria and through the effort of collaborations with Interpol, he was arrested.
It was at this stage that White turned out to be the same person as Mike.

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Few months earlier, Ade had parted ways with Mike. This happened when Mike bought a multi million naira car. When Ade asked of his source of the fund, he replied that;

Maga don pay.

This is a popular way in pidgin English to refer to a successful financial fraud.

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Ade could not swallow his anger and disappointment which made him declare an end to the friendship.
Upon hearing that Mike had been arrested, he followed up the case to court.
The hearing in court was concluded and before the judge passed his verdict, he made some statements.

Youths like you are giving Nigeria a bad name. How will you conveniently defraud someone of her life savings to attend parties, have multiple partners, ride expensive cars while the victim is in her country shedding tears? That is cruel and evil. You can only run for a while, you can't hide from the hands of the law.

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The judge, thereafter ordered permanent seizure of his properties. They were to be sold and the proceeds used to settle parts of the stolen money.

You are hereby sentenced to 26 years imprisonment. The judge ruled.

Mike's parents burst into crying as he was led by the prison warders to the vehicle that was taking him to prison.

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Ade was shaking his head. He was sympathizing with the woman that lost such huge money to Mike's fraudulent "get rich quick" syndrome.

My sympathy goes to you Madam. You met the wrong Nigerian. As for Mike, I had wished for a day like this. I can't have sympathy for someone laughing while another is crying to fund his laughter. Good for him.

These were the words of consolation to Sandra who was crying outside the court premises.