But some believe the actual total could be much higher. His family are still in the UAE. Get the day's top headlines delivered to your inbox. Once a relationship is established via a false identity, romance scammers wheedle money from their online lovers. 2023 BBC. Ramon Abbas known to his 2.5 million Instagram followers as Hushpuppi is considered by the FBI to be one of the worlds most high-profile fraudsters and faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years in the US after pleading guilty to money laundering. In May 2019, Abbas was tasked with setting up a bank account in Mexico. Like many Yahoo Boys, Abbas broadened his criminal horizons. But the Premiership scam fell apart when the UK banks refused to pay into the Mexican account. "We cannot say with 100% certainty that Hushpuppi is behind it," Mr Almazar says. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. 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"His clients understand that he was victimised," Mr Almazar explains. "We received calls from our members telling us they were sending money using Bank of Valletta's platform to their foreign suppliers," says Ms Mamo. Available for over a year They then appeared in a Chicago court on 3 July. When he was allowed 15 minutes in a virtual breakout room to confer with Mr Ponle, he returned to request a new date for the hearing. He used to buy beer for everyone around.". Abbas's final big scam before his arrest in Dubai in June 2020 was straight-up identity theft, borrowed from the Yahoo Boy romance scams of his youth. A United States District Court in California has fixed July 27 as new date for the trial of the Nigerian Instagram celebrity facing fraud charges, Ramon Abass, also This is when his Instagram posts - and crimes - went to another level. Read about our approach to external linking. Sign up for a FREE NewsNow account and get our email alert of the day's top stories from the UK and around the world. Hushpuppi, Nigerian social media influencer, funded his luxurious lifestyle by cybercrime. Ramon Abbas, 40, also was ordered by a federal judge to pay $1.7 million in restitution to two fraud victims, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. His father was a taxi driver. I have seen parents who have taken their children to learn how to become Yahoo Boys., Seye says everyone knows Hushpuppi has committed a crime, but it is understandable: No-one prays to be poor. He represents around 25 people including eight UK citizens in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), all of whom believe they are victims of one of Hushpuppis BEC scams. "Damn," Abbas said in a text to a fellow scammer at the time in messages obtained by the FBI. And now Mr Kyari too is wanted in the US on charges of fraud, money laundering and identity theft. Mr Ponle, 29, ran the "Mr Woodberry" Instagram account but the FBI says he used the alias "Mark Kain" in emails. To view this content choose accept and continue. "But if you look at the bank accounts that police have traced, they all belong to the records obtained by the police in their raids [on Hushpuppi's home in Dubai].". Neither are named in the court documents. Breaking news: an unexpected interview. Read about our approach to external linking. Despite him pleading guilty in April to money laundering, Hushpuppi's social media is still live and attracting followers. Copyright 1997 - 2023 NewsNow Publishing Limited. The accounts clerk is fooled into thinking it is a legitimate request from the supplier - and, with a single click of a mouse, vast sums of money are lost. Where Is Hushpuppi? A lawyer for Hushpuppi (pictured) says the US had no authority to transport him from Dubai. His family are still in the UAE. His social media posts showed him living a life of luxury, complete with private jets, ultra-expensive cars and high-end clothes and watches. I went to Nigeria to meet the man who scammed me, AI chatbots 'may soon be more intelligent than us', Russia troop deaths hit 20,000 in five months - US, Palestinian hunger striker dies in Israel prison, The 17 most eye-catching looks at the Met Gala, The burden of being cricket legend Tendulkar's son, 'My wife and six children joined Kenya starvation cult', On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. [37] Specifically, the study showed that the criminalization of people indigenous to southern Nigeria, such as Hushpuppi, differs substantially from that of Northerners, suggesting that more Southerners are more implicated in internet fraud than Northerners. He apologised to his family members for bringing them shame while commending the FBI for doing a thorough job while bringing him to justice. A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. He represents around 25 people - including eight UK citizens - in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), all of whom believe they are victims of one of Hushpuppi's BEC scams. "We cannot say with 100% certainty that Hushpuppi is behind it," Mr Almazar says. Tweets and reactions: revealing the geographies of cybercrime perpetrators and the North-South divide. I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.. One Million Dollars Per Constituency: Middle Belt Dev't Authority commissions three projects. He did not answer how he ended up in US custody. Local driver Seye told the BBC that he remembered Abbas as a young boy working alongside his mother in the Olojojo market. Dr Oyenuga says Hushpuppis influence endures as he is still regarded as a role model: Were in a country where a lot of young people are suffering. Now, Assignment unmasks Ramon Abbas, revealing a complicated, sometimes ruthless character driven by a thirst for wealth and celebrity status. He has previously denied having any criminal involvement with Abbas - and has not responded to the BBC's requests for comment. They keep finding out.. So when you see someone who is rich, you will pray to God to give you his kind of wealth., BBCs detailed report on Hushpuppi the Instagram influencer and international fraudster, he attempted to launder 13m euros (11m; $15m) stolen by a gang of North Korean hackers from the Maltese Bank of Valletta, pleading guilty in April to money laundering. But di viral tori bin claim say 'US prosecutors on Wednesday 16 March 2022 submit court documents wey show say im committed fraud and launder over $400k from behind bars.'. Between December 2019 and February 2020, Abbas and a gang of alleged middlemen in Kenya, Nigeria and the US groomed and conned the victim out of more than a million dollars. The Judge had initially rejected the plea of the defendant's motion for a delay of judgement. But they also have to cover their losses, so right now he doesnt know how he can get back to the UAE. This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. Listen to the latest episodes of The Lazarus Heist on BBC Sounds. To see how, and to learn how to control cookies, Video, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, statement about Mr Abbas' initial court appearance, Africa Live: The latest from the continent, Flashy Nigerian Instagrammers 'caught with $40m in cash', Dubai police said they recovered $40m (32m) in cash, 13 luxury cars worth $6.8m, 21 computers, 47 smartphones and the addresses of nearly two million alleged victims, Serena Williams announces pregnancy at Met Gala, Corpse found under Tibet hotel bed leads to probe, New record as 4.56m Indians take flights in a day, Shooting suspect was deported four times - US media, Met Gala 2023: Stars celebrate Karl Lagerfeld, Japan to ban upskirting in stronger sex crime laws, BP profits of 4bn in three months spark criticism. [32], On 19 September 2022, Judge Otis Wright delayed Hushpuppi's sentencing to 3 November 2022. Mr Pissetzky says the case could last several months, even longer than a year. Ramon Abbas - known to his 2.5 million Instagram followers as Hushpuppi - is considered by the FBI to be one of the world's most high-profile fraudsters and faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years in the US after pleading guilty to money laundering. 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As he grew older, Seye says, Abbas liked to splash his cash: "He was generous. His clients understand that he was victimised, Mr Almazar explains. Investigators noted the "substantial wealth" on display on hushpuppi's account, where he poses with supercars, shopping bags and in luxury locations. It did not name the institution by name but a bank in Malta reported losing the same sum to hackers that same month. His lawyer Michael B Nash told the judge at a detention hearing on Thursday that he had not had a chance to speak to his client. So when you see someone who is rich, you will pray to God to give you his kind of wealth.". They see another young person who was once like them become that great. See all episodes from The Documentary Podcast, A window into our world - investigating, exploring and telling stories from everywhere. Forgot your password? They see another young person who was once like them become that great. [38][39] A short documentary about the life of Hushpuppi till his arrest has been released by both Bloomberg[40] and BBC Africa.[41]. "[12], Many news platforms have reported that Abbas was once a second-hand clothes seller in Lagos. A Nigerian influencer known as Hushpuppi who was arrested in Dubai for financial crimes costing tens of millions of dollars is scheduled to be sentenced by a California court on Monday. Director of Media Relations, United States Attorney's Office, Central District of California Mrozek Thom tell BBC Pidgin say di tori no dey true. In February 2019, he attempted to launder 13m euros (11m; $15m) stolen by a gang of North Korean hackers from the Maltese Bank of Valletta. It is alleged that Mr Kyari then falsely arrested and detained the middleman for a month in a squalid Nigerian cell. 3.The truly fascinating story of Doris Payne, aka "Diamond Doris," a 91-year-old jewel thief who used 22 aliases while stealing millions of dollars worth of jewelry from around the world and was arrested more than 20 times in countries like Greece, France, England, and Switzerland over the course of six decades. He refused to discuss how he was getting paid for legal fees or the source of Hushpuppi's money. Experts don bin tell BBC Pidgin say if court find [26] At Abbas' detention hearing, his lawyer, Pissetzky told the court that his client posed no flight risk because of the damage it would do to his credibility online, adding, "He is loved and respected. He used to buy beer for everyone around.. Marshals Service transport Hushpuppi to Los Angeles wia im trial go start. I've never heard of anything like that. The BBC has used newly available court documents to uncover the man behind cyber heists that have cost his victims millions, from his humble beginnings as a Yahoo Boy hustler in Nigeria to a so-called Billionaire Gucci Master living a life of luxury in Dubai before his arrest last year. Too bad they caught on, or it would have been a nice pay out.". "The Fall of the Billionaire Gucci Master," retrieved from: BBC News (2021).Hushpuppi: the Instagram influencer and international fraudster, retrieved from: "He flaunted private jets and luxury cars on Instagram. "Yahoo Boys" are romance scammers who took their name from the first free email available in Nigeria. [37], In November 2022, Curtis James Jackson III, a.k.a, 50 Cent, announced his plan on Instagram to shoot a television series on the life of Hushpuppi, including his fraudulent career path and sentencing. The 37-year-old, who was arrested by the FBI in a Los Angeles raid, has pleaded guilty to money laundering. Only a single letter or number will be different. "They came up with the idea of stealing identities. Please ensure your password has at least 8 characters, an uppercase and a lowercase letter, and a number or symbol. The bank said it managed to recover 10m euros. He fears that he might get apprehended at immigration immediately.". One member threatened to blow the whole scam wide open as he was unhappy about the money he was getting. This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. "Their foreign suppliers did not receive the money We're talking about thousands of euros.". Don't miss out! "But they also have to cover their losses, so right now he doesn't know how he can get back to the UAE. It is alleged that Mr Kyari then falsely arrested and detained the middleman for a month in a squalid Nigerian cell. Terrifyingly simple, BEC works by intercepting payments via fake emails that appear to come from an address that is almost exactly the same as the supplier's. None of the Premiership clubs would confirm whether or not they were the intended victim. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. NDLEA said Abba Kyari, who was suspended for his relationship with fraudster Abass Olorunwa, better known as Hushpuppi, is a member of an international drug cartel "With the intelligence at our disposal, the Agency Ramon Abbas - better known as Hushpuppi to his millions of followers - has pleaded guilty to money laundering in a US court.The Nigerian social media influencer was famous for his extravagant lifestyle, showing off his designer clothing, luxury holidays, and expensive cars to 2.5million Instagram followers and 1.3 million Snapchat subscribers.But unknown to his fans, his lifestyle was funded by cybercrime.Originally from humble beginnings in Lagos, the so-called 'billionaire Gucci master' living a life of luxury in Dubai is now facing a 20-year jail sentence in the USA - and the FBI have dubbed him one of the world's most high-profile money launderers.Reporter: Princess AbumereProducer: Helen CliftonFilmed and edited: Joshua AkinyemiAnimations: Mayowa AlabiSubscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica\rWebsite: https://www.bbc.com/africa\rFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/\rTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/\rInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/ He fears that he might get apprehended at immigration immediately.". Like many Yahoo Boys, Abbas broadened his criminal horizons. In the last 7 days. Hushpuppi's close associate, Mompha once revealed that his dad is still a cab driver in Lagos. De way wey we de take go external link. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) accuses Mr Abbas, 37, of conspiring to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from frauds known as Business Email Compromise (BEC) and other scams. Social media influencer Hushpuppi sentenced to 11 years in prison over money laundering conspiracy. In a statement about Mr Abbas' initial court appearance, the DoJ said "FBI special agents earlier this week obtained custody of Abbas and brought him to the United States" without giving any further details. [14] According to court documents in California, he has cost victims 17m in total. April 26, 2023 Hushpuppi: Notorious Nigerian fraudster jailed for 11 years in US BBCView Full coverage on Google News Sources 1/ by newsdesk. Professionals were victimised. Citing interviews with old neighbours of Abbas, TheCable.ng reported that Abbas had a reputation as a "Yahoo Yahoo boy" a local name for a cybercriminal, was not supported by his mother, had not lifted any of his old friends from poverty, and had ignored multiple warnings regarding his lifestyle. But the Premiership scam fell apart when the UK banks refused to pay into the Mexican account. Neither are named in the court documents. Some are hesitant to admit what has happened.". But soon, the cracks between the gang started to show. The reply shows the next heist was being planned: "Next one is in few weeks; will let you know when it's ready. This is when his Instagram posts - and crimes - went to another level. Ramon Abbas, 40, also was ordered by a federal judge to pay $1.7 million in restitution to two fraud victims, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice. And then with that identity theft, they went into dating [scams]," explains Dr Adedeji Oyenuga, a cybercrime expert at Lagos State University. So when you see someone who is rich, you will pray to God to give you his kind of wealth.". [36] The study concludes that the process by which some actions are interpreted as a crime compared to others is a moral enterprise. murders, a place with a murky past. Many went to Malaysia and Abbas followed them, ending up in Kuala Lumpur around 2014, then Dubai in 2017. Hushpuppi, for charges bordering on Business Email Compromise (BEC) and money laundering. Antoine Verglas Opens Up About His Journey To Becoming A Fashion Photographer. He was handed over to the agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who took him to the United States of America to face the consequences of his criminal activities. He assumed the identity of a New York banker to entrap his victim, a Qatari businessperson seeking a $15m loan to build a new school in the Gulf state. He represents around 25 people - including eight UK citizens - in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), all of whom believe they are victims of one of Hushpuppi's BEC scams. De external site no concern BBC. Hushpuppi is currently standing trial in the US for cyber fraud, money laundering and other related crimes, following his arrest in 2020 along with associates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). [1] He was sentenced in the United States to 11 years for conspiracy to launder money obtained from business email compromise frauds and other scams, including schemes that defrauded a US law firm of about $40 million, illegally transferred $14.7 million from a foreign financial institution, and targeted to steal $124 million from an English Premier League club. 2023 BBC. At Mondays sentencing, Abbas was sentenced to to 135 months in federal prison and was ordered to pay $922,857 in restitution to the law firm and $809,983 in restitution to the victim in Qatar. According to the affidavit[24] other communications between Abbas and one of his co-conspirators indicated that the two had conspired to "launder tens, and at times hundreds, of millions of dollars that were proceeds of other fraudulent schemes and computer intrusions, including a fraudulent scheme to steal 100 million ($124 million) from an English Premier League football club. Is climate change killing Australian wine? He did not speak again. He assumed the identity of a New York banker to entrap his victim, a Qatari businessperson seeking a $15m loan to build a new school in the Gulf state. One UK victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, says he lost 500,000, has been forced to leave the UAE and is himself facing criminal proceedings in Dubai because of the debt he has incurred as a result of the fraud. WebIn a final appeal to Judge Otis Wright ahead of his scheduled sentencing on 19 September 2022, Hushpuppi wrote a personal letter to the court narrating his source of wealth, WebFirst broadcast: Thu 16 th Sep 2021, 02:32 on BBC World Service Australasia Latest broadcast: Thu 16 th Sep 2021, 20:06 on BBC World Service East Asia. Dr Oyenuga says Hushpuppi's influence endures as he is still regarded as a role model: "We're in a country where a lot of young people are suffering. For pretrial, Ramon Abass aka Hushpuppi don bin plead not guilty to di four counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Reading Time: 4 mins read. You may want to read Metas Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. Hushpuppi is believed to have defrauded his victims, including a Qatari businessman and English football club, to the tune of $24 million. A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. Ramon Abbas also known as Ray Hushpuppi faces 20 years in prison after he was arrested with a staggering 29 million of cash and 13 luxury cars. Di charges compromise, frauds and oda scams wey include plans wey target one U.S law firm, one foreign bank and one English Premier League Soccer club. Kemi Olunloyo set to release long list of actresses who slept Fraud:Woodberry, Hushpuppis Partner, to Forfeit $8m Choice Properties, Hushpuppis accomplice pleads guilty to internet fraud; agrees to pay $8m to victims, Hushpuppis Ally, Woodberry, Pleads Guilty To Internet Fraud, Forfeits $8m, Others, EXCLUSIVE: Woodberry, Hushpuppis ally, pleads guilty to fraud, Hushpuppis Close Ally Woodberry Pleads Guilty, Forfeits $8m, Luxury Dubai Assets, Hushpuppi's associate, Woodberry, pleads guilty, forfeits $8m, assets. He is a celebrity. grassroots elite basketball ; why does ted lasso have a southern accent . ; The BBC has used newly available court documents to uncover the man behind cyber heists that have cost his victims millions, from his humble beginnings as a "Yahoo Boy" hustler in Nigeria to a so-called "Billionaire Gucci Master" living a life of luxury in Dubai before his arrest last year. "They keep finding out.". That is the real story here.". [29] The following day, a US Court granted an FBI warrant to arrest Abba Kyari. [33] On 8 November 2022, Hushpuppi was sentenced to over 11 years (135 months) in a federal prison. Once a relationship is established via a false identity, romance scammers wheedle money from their online lovers. Hushpuppi's former home, 9 Ogunyomi Street, in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos, Hushpuppi's Instagram posts about his luxurious lifestyle attracted hundreds of thousands of likes, Investigators say it is difficult to track down scammers when those in a network are based all over the world. "But they also have to cover their losses, so right now he doesn't know how he can get back to the UAE. "If Dubai wanted to expel him, they should have expelled him back to Nigeria. Abba Kyari, who has a reputation in Nigeria as a "super cop", has been suspended and is wanted in the US, I have seen parents who have taken their children to learn how to become Yahoo Boys", On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. The social media platform told the BBC that it had carried out an investigation into his account - but had decided not to close it. cookies to improve your experience and customise advertising. VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. Read about our approach to external linking. Tori bin dey circulate for local media say di Instagram celebrity bin receive fresh charges. Exclusive: Woodberry, Hushpuppis ally, pleads guilty to fraud, Hushpuppis ally, Woodberry pleads guilty to fraud charge in US, Hushpuppis ally, Woodberry, pleads guilty to internet fraud, forfeits $8m, others, Hushpuppis close ally Woodberry pleads guilty, forfeits $8m, luxury Dubai assets, Posh Dubai assets Hushpuppis ally, Woodberry, is to forfeit to US govt, Hushpuppis colleague Woodberry pleads guilty to internet fraud, to forfeit Dubai assets, return $8m to victims. [35] Specifically, Twitter responses (from Nigerians in Nigeria and abroad) innovatively merge the names of a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Mr. Ibrahim Magu accused of fraudulent and corrupt practices) and Hushpuppi as "Hush Ibrahim," "Hush Magu," and "Puppi Magu. File on 4's Hush Money: The Rise and Fall of an International Fraudster is available on BBC Sounds. A complaint against him filed in court accuses Mr Abbas of leading a transnational network of cybercriminals whose targets included a US law firm, a foreign bank and an English Premier League football club. The rise and fall of Hushpuppi the social media influencer and global money-launderer. He has previously denied having any criminal involvement with Abbas - and has not responded to the BBC's requests for comment. An article in Bloomberg Businessweek details his actions leading to his arrest, incarceration, and a trial on 27 July 2021, in Los Angeles. The Latest. "I have seen parents who have taken their children to learn how to become Yahoo Boys. The United Arab Emirates has no extradition treaty with the United States but Dubai police said they had been extradited to the US. Ramon Abbas, 40, also was ordered by a federal judge to In May 2019, Abbas was tasked with setting up a bank account in Mexico. During di detention hearing, court for di Northern District of Illinois, USA rule say make di U.S. This article contains content provided by Instagram. The 37-year-old began his career in Oworonshoki, a poor coastal area in the north-east of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital. He was sentenced to nearly 12 years in federal prison and was ordered to pay more than $30 million in restitution. "[36] Creating these phrases is essential linguistic maneuvering, enabling a sharp comparison of the similarities between Hushpuppi, a fraudster, popularly known as an offender, and a prominent authority representative, uncritically seen as a law-abiding citizen. No comments. Ramon Olorunwa Abbas - known to his 2.5 million Instagram followers as Ray Hushpuppi - and another cyber-heist suspect Olalekan Jacob Ponle (aka Mr Woodberry) were arrested in Dubai, where they lived, in June. "We received calls from our members telling us they were sending money using Bank of Valletta's platform to their foreign suppliers," says Ms Mamo. According to the FBI, in 2020 BEC fraud resulted in losses of $1.8bn. Jon Shilland, fraud lead with the UKs National Crime Agency, says it can be difficult tracking down criminal networks based in multiple jurisdictions. United Arab Emirates security agencies bin arrest Hushpuppi wey dey live for Dubai for June 2020. By Helen Clifton & Princess Abumere. Shopping trolleys filled with goods were abandoned at checkouts as payment systems shut down. Abbass final big scam before his arrest in Dubai in June 2020 was straight-up identity theft, borrowed from the Yahoo Boy romance scams of his youth. The scams were to be carried out via Business Email Compromise (BEC). Notorious and disgraced Internet fraudster, Olalekan Jacob Ponle, also known as Woodberry, has pleaded guilty to internet fraud. And now Mr Kyari too is wanted in the US on charges of fraud, money laundering and identity theft. The United States Central District Court in California has sentenced Nigerian internet sensation, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi to 11 years in prison. We will not share your email address with any third parties. Nigerian social media influencer, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas popularly known as Ray Hushpuppi, was charged and indicted in a $1.1 million fraud by the United States Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Recall that the FBI is prosecuting Ramon Abbas, a.k.a. All rights reserved. [2], Until his arrest by the Dubai Police in June 2020 and subsequent extradition to the United States,[3][4][5][6] Abbas posted pictures and videos of his lavish spending on exotic cars, watches, designer clothes, bags from expensive brands like Gucci, Fendi, and Louis Vuitton and of himself boarding helicopters, with celebrities, footballers, and Nigerian politicians or while on charter jets. "They came up with the idea of stealing identities. In that email the scammers - posing as a supplier awaiting payment - typically say they've switched banks, so the payment will need to be wired to a different account; the details for which they will provide. In February 2019, $14.7 million was transferred out of the bank through false international transactions to accounts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, and Hong Kong.