A Nigerian national, Samuel Ugberaese, has been extradited to the United States to face charges of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy connected to a cross-border romance scam that allegedly targeted elderly victims. Ugberaese was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation following his extradition from Nigeria to the United States. He was subsequently arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Brian Myers in the Eastern District of North Carolina, who ordered his detention pending trial.
Details of the Indictment
According to a federal indictment returned on January 22, 2021, Ugberaese and his alleged co-conspirators employed romance scam tactics, including false identities, fabricated stories, and fake promises, to manipulate victims into transferring money on their behalf. The indictment further alleges that Ugberaese conspired with co-defendant Oluwadamilare Kolaogunbule, a naturalized United States citizen, to move funds through a network of bank accounts, including accounts registered to purported export companies, in an effort to conceal the source, ownership, and control of proceeds obtained from the fraudulent scheme.
Charges and Potential Penalties
Ugberaese faces one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment under United States law. The charges carry significant penalties, reflecting the severity of the alleged offenses.
International Cooperation in Arrest
Authorities noted that several agencies played roles in securing his arrest and extradition. These include the United States Department of Justice Office of International Affairs, the FBI’s Law Enforcement Attaché Office in Abuja, the United States Department of State, Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice and Office of the Attorney General, the Nigeria Police Force through INTERPOL, and the South African Police Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hulbig of the Eastern District of North Carolina’s Fraud Section.
Presumption of Innocence
United States authorities emphasized that the indictment remains an allegation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This principle underscores the legal process, ensuring that Ugberaese receives a fair trial as the case proceeds.
