A gang of Nigerian fraudsters who stole £610,000 from business bank accounts have been sentenced.

Inner London Crown Court heard how Victor Oke, 39, used stolen data provided by Desmond Uyiosa Abifade, 25, to falsely impersonate company directors via telephone banking.

Once Oke gained access, he diverted funds to ‘mule’ beneficiary accounts monitored by Moses Kuye, 28. Melinda Mensah-Oke, 37, impersonated company directors when a female voice was necessary, while Arinola Kuye, 27, acted as the group’s money launderer.

All five were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, which they pleaded not guilty to. On Wednesday, Oke was sentenced to four years in prison, while Moses Kuye was jailed for three years and three months.

Mensah-Oke received a fourteen month suspended sentence and Abifade a two year suspended sentence. Arinola Kuye was given a 12 month community order and instructed to complete 50 hours of unpaid work.