A Nigerian man, Samuel Ugberaese, also known as "Putsammy," has been extradited to the United States, where he faces up to 40 years in prison for his alleged involvement in a multi-million dollar fraud network. The case, which involves cross-border romance scams and money laundering, was confirmed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Justice in a statement released on Tuesday.
Allegations of Romance Scam and Fraud
Prosecutors allege that Ugberaese and his associates used fake identities and emotional manipulation to defraud victims, primarily women in North Carolina, of over $1.5 million between 2014 and 2018. The syndicate reportedly employed romance scam techniques, including false stories and promises, to exploit victims into transferring money on their behalf.
Ugberaese, who also goes by the aliases "Putput" and "Sammy," was extradited by the Nigeria Police Force following coordinated efforts between Nigerian and American law enforcement authorities. He was arrested by FBI agents immediately upon arrival in the United States.
Indictment and Charges
According to the US Department of Justice, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina first returned an indictment against Ugberaese on January 22, 2021. The charges include one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, Ugberaese faces a statutory maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.
US Magistrate Judge Brian Myers has ordered that Ugberaese remain in custody pending trial. The extradition was made possible through a partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and the US Department of Justice, after legal proceedings in Nigerian courts were concluded.
Money Laundering and Shell Companies
Prosecutors further alleged that Ugberaese worked with Oluwadamilare Kolaogunbule, a naturalized American citizen, to move and conceal proceeds of the alleged fraud through a network of bank accounts. Some of these accounts were registered under companies presented as export businesses, in an attempt to disguise the origin and ownership of the funds. The indictment claims that Ugberaese used these shell export businesses and a network of accounts to launder the stolen money.
Nigeria Police Force spokesman Anthony Placid stated that investigations showed the alleged criminal operation specifically targeted victims in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Before the case became public, Ugberaese was known on Nigerian social media for his flashy lifestyle and luxury displays online.
Presumption of Innocence
The US Department of Justice stressed that Ugberaese remains innocent until proven guilty in court. The agency also acknowledged the role played by Nigeria's Office of the Attorney General of the Federation in facilitating the extradition process. The case highlights ongoing international efforts to combat cross-border fraud and money laundering schemes.
