It is the latest high-profile fraud case involving a Nigerian national in the United States but his lawyer says the US had no authority to transport him from Dubai. In May 2019, Abbas was tasked with setting up a bank account in Mexico. [38][39] A short documentary about the life of Hushpuppi till his arrest has been released by both Bloomberg[40] and BBC Africa.[41]. 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 (2022). Recall that Hushpuppis sentence had been moved three times since getting convicted in 2021. None of the Premiership clubs would confirm whether or not they were the intended victim. But the Dubai police said in a Facebook post that the FBI director had thanked them for extraditing the two men. And now Mr Kyari too is wanted in the US on charges of fraud, money laundering and identity theft. Use at least 8 characters, an uppercase and a lowercase letter, and a number or symbol. his efforts to launder millions of stolen dollars. 0. We will not share your email address with any third parties. "Their foreign suppliers did not receive the money We're talking about thousands of euros.". Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? You may want to read Metas Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. But Hushpuppi's lawyer says his client earned his money by monetising his large social media presence. The affidavit claims that Mr Abbas conspired to launder $14.7m (11.7m) stolen in a cyber-heist from a foreign financial institution in February 2019. Hushpuppi "Damn," Abbas said in a text to a fellow scammer at the time in messages obtained by the FBI. The scam was very sophisticated. According to the FBI, in 2020 BEC fraud resulted in losses of $1.8bn. 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. Stay informed. Lazarus, S., & Button, M. (2022). The FBI says $1.7bn was lost by individuals and companies in business email compromise scams in 2019 alone. 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 fears that he might get apprehended at immigration immediately.". But some believe the actual total could be much higher. "I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.". Too bad they caught on, or it would have been a nice pay out.. Yahoo Boys are romance scammers who took their name from the first free email available in Nigeria. Hushpuppi is facing criminal charges in the United States 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 The 37-year-old, who was arrested by the FBI in a Los Angeles raid, has pleaded guilty to money laundering. 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. "I have seen parents who have taken their children to learn how to become Yahoo Boys. Mr Abbas' lawyer Gal Pissetzky told the BBC that his client, who posts on Instagram about his extravagant lifestyle, was not a criminal and had made his money legitimately. 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. It was to receive 100m from a Premier League Football Club, and 200m from a UK firm. The scams were to be carried out via Business Email Compromise (BEC). Local driver Seye told the BBC that he remembered Abbas as a young boy working alongside his mother in the Olojojo market. Neither are named in the court documents. Like many Yahoo Boys, Abbas broadened his criminal horizons. So when you see someone who is rich, you will pray to God to give you his kind of wealth.". File on 4's Hush Money: The Rise and Fall of an International Fraudster is available on BBC Sounds. Naija News recalls Popular internet fraudster, Ramon Abbass also known as Hushpuppi, in an attempt to reduce his jail sentence opened up about his fraudulent career. [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. He texted his contact - Nigerian police officer Abba Kyari - saying: "I want him to go through serious beating of his life. 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.'. [35] A recent study demonstrates that many people on Twitter trivialize the fraudulent actions of online fraudsters such as Hushpuppi. Hushpuppi, Nigerian social media influencer, funded his luxurious lifestyle by cybercrime. BBC News "Their foreign suppliers did not receive the money We're talking about thousands of euros.". He did not answer how he ended up in US custody. The 37-year-old began his career in Oworonshoki, a poor coastal area in the north-east of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital. None of the Premiership clubs would confirm whether or not they were the intended victim. The reply shows the next heist was being planned: "Next one is in few weeks; will let you know when it's ready. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. April 26, 2023 Hushpuppi: Notorious Nigerian fraudster jailed for 11 years in US BBCView Full coverage on Google News Sources 1/ by newsdesk. We contacted Instagram to ask why his account was still open. 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. 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. Olalekan Jacob Ponle, known as "Mr Woodbery", flaunted his wealth, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. The Guardian Nigeria Newspaper brings you the latest headlines, opinions, political news, business reports and international news. 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 Some of it was laundered via the purchase of a watch worth a staggering $230,000. [37] The study concludes that colonial legacies contributed to the North-South divide regarding online fraud patterns in Nigeria. The song contained lyrics directed toward Abbas indirectly accusing him of being a swindler and lavishing his money on designer clothes instead of investing in profitable ventures and warning him that he would soon be caught by authorities. One member threatened to blow the whole scam wide open as he was unhappy about the money he was getting. 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. For July 2020, di UAE later extradite Hushpuppi go Chicago for America under FBI special agents custody wia dem first carry am go court. 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 suppliers. 'Gucci billionaire' influencer in plot to scam Premier League club Click to get a sign-in link sent to your email. Forgot your password? [36], Related to the above, another study on public opinion on Twitter revealed significant discrepancies between Nigeria's northern and southern regions regarding online fraudsters' arrests, convictions, and sentencing. "They came up with the idea of stealing identities. Professionals were victimised. Experts don bin tell BBC Pidgin say if court find 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. Jon Shilland, fraud lead with the UK's National Crime Agency, says it can be difficult tracking down criminal networks based in multiple jurisdictions. WebThe Latest news in Nigeria and world news. TittlePress Read about our approach to external linking. ", Seye says everyone knows Hushpuppi has committed a crime, but it is understandable: "No-one prays to be poor. "Yahoo Boys" are romance scammers who took their name from the first free email available in Nigeria. To see how, and to learn how to control cookies, And then with that identity theft, they went into dating [scams]," explains Dr Adedeji Oyenuga, a cybercrime expert at Lagos State University. File on 4's Hush Money: The Rise and Fall of an International Fraudster is available on BBC Sounds. 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. We live in a world that loves youth and beauty and is afraid of 40 mins; This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. But soon, the cracks between the gang started to show. "They came up with the idea of stealing identities. But everyone knew the source of his mysterious wealth cybercrime; he was a Yahoo, Seye says. 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. He used to buy beer for everyone around.". Read about our approach to external linking. They then appeared in a Chicago court on 3 July. The social media platform told the BBC that it had carried out an investigation into his account but had decided not to close it. [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. Once a relationship is established via a false identity, romance scammers wheedle money from their online lovers. Instagram Influencer, Nigerian Scammer Indicted for Stealing Over $1.1 Million Cardinal News News Ticker Male, Age 30, Accused of Stabbing, Killing His Mother in House They Shared in South Elgin CRIME BLOG C During di detention hearing, court for di Northern District of Illinois, USA rule say make di U.S. Read about our approach to external linking. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. We live in a world that loves youth and beauty and is afraid of Hushpuppi: the Instagram influencer and international Jon Shilland, fraud lead with the UK's National Crime Agency, says it can be difficult tracking down criminal networks based in multiple jurisdictions. Read about our approach to external linking. [20][21] According to the affidavit Abbas had provided a co-conspirator with two bank accounts in Europe anticipating the receipt of $5.6 million each of the fraudulently obtained funds. Local driver Seye told the BBC that he remembered Abbas as a young boy working alongside his mother in the Olojojo market. They see another young person who was once like them become that great. Abbas, under the name Ray Hushpuppi, had more than 2 million Instagram followers before he was arrested in 2020 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. 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. [22] U.S. authorities also accused him of aiding North Korean hackers in money laundering.[23]. "Authorities say, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, perfected a simple internet scam and laundered millions of dollars. April 26, 2023 Hushpuppi: Notorious Nigerian fraudster jailed for 11 years in US BBCView Full coverage on Google News Sources 1/ by newsdesk. "We cannot say with 100% certainty that Hushpuppi is behind it," Mr Almazar says. None of the Premiership clubs would confirm whether or not they were the intended victim. A spokesman for the US Department of Justice told the BBC that Hushpuppi was expelled from Dubai and was not extradited. [16] Many viewed the song as a prophetic warning that was fulfilled with his arrest. No comments. 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. Homepage. 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. Abigail Mamo, chief executive of the Maltese chamber of small and medium enterprises, says the heist plunged the holiday island into "chaos". According to court documents in California, he has cost victims 17m in total. In that email the scammers posing as a supplier awaiting payment typically say theyve switched banks, so the payment will need to be wired to a different account; the details for which they will provide. Abbas was one of the most prolific money launderers in the world, Don Alway, assistant director in charge of the FBIs Los Angeles office, said in the statement. That is the real story here.". I hope someday I will be inspiring more young people to join me on this path, read one Instagram post by Abbas, who pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering. Despite him pleading guilty in April to money laundering, Hushpuppi's social media is still live and attracting followers. The Chicago defence lawyer's argument that Hushpuppi was paid by designer brands for promotion has set the stage for what promises to be a long trial in American courts. By his own admission, during just an 18-month period defendant conspired to launder over $300 million, prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum, although they said much of the intended loss did not ultimately materialize.. Despite him pleading guilty in April to money laundering, Hushpuppi's social media is still live and attracting followers. IE 11 is not supported. LOS ANGELES A Nigerian social media influencer who called himself Ray Hushpuppi and flaunted a lavish lifestyle fueled by his efforts to launder millions of stolen dollars was sentenced Monday in Los Angeles to more than 11 years in federal prison. He texted his contact - Nigerian police officer Abba Kyari - saying: "I want him to go through serious beating of his life. Hushpuppi A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. July 5, 2022. Stay informed. Show more Download Choose your file Higher quality (128kbps) "[27], On 28 July 2021, Hushpuppi pleaded guilty to money laundering[28] and also identified a Deputy Commissioner of Police in Nigeria, Abba Kyari, as an accomplice in his $1.1 million scam deal. [36] The study argues that this type of linguistic manipulation voiced as public opinion on Twitter denies the sufferings of victims of online 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, "I really don't have any comment right now, I have to learn the facts about this case," he told the BBC. 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. Fall of an International Fraudster murders, a place with a murky past. Social media influencer Hushpuppi sentenced to 11 years in [33] On 8 November 2022, Hushpuppi was sentenced to over 11 years (135 months) in a federal prison. "You'll have to ask them about why they called it an extradition," the US Department of Justice (DoJ) spokesman responded in an email. Social media influencer Hushpuppi sentenced to 11 years in prison over money laundering conspiracy. Jon Shilland, fraud lead with the UKs National Crime Agency, says it can be difficult tracking down criminal networks based in multiple jurisdictions. Multiple sources in Malta including Times of Malta and Malta Today also repeated Forbes's claims that Hushpuppi could have been behind the attack. "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. We will not share your email address with any third parties. The scams were to be carried out via Business Email Compromise (BEC). A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. His family are still in the UAE. His father was a taxi driver. Detectives seized more than 150 million dirham (about $40 million) in cash, 13 luxury cars worth Dh 25 million ($7M), 21 laptops, 47 smartphones, 15 memory storage devices, five external hard drives and 800,000 emails of potential victims alongside suitcases full of cash. "Yes, please," he replied, subdued. "In my opinion, the FBI and the government here acted illegally when they kidnapped him from Dubai without any legal process to do so," Mr Pissetzky told the BBC. "[12], Many news platforms have reported that Abbas was once a second-hand clothes seller in Lagos. Marshals Service transport Hushpuppi to Los Angeles wia im trial go start. In May 2019, Abbas was tasked with setting up a bank account in Mexico. 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. A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. And then with that identity theft, they went into dating [scams], explains Dr Adedeji Oyenuga, a cybercrime expert at Lagos State University. Don't miss out! hushpuppi [9], On the night his apartment at the Palazzo Versace was raided in an operation code-named Fox Hunt 2, Abbas was arrested alongside eleven others in six simultaneous raids. Mr Almazar says shame prevents many more of Hushpuppi's victims coming forward. In 2019, he helped launder some $14.7 million stolen by North Korean hackers from a bank in Malta, funneling the money through banks in Romania and Bulgaria, prosecutors said. Di Nigerian Instagram celebrity dey US to face charges on top accuse say im conspire to launder Hundreds of Millions of Dollars from business email. 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. "But they also have to cover their losses, so right now he doesn't know how he can get back to the UAE. He used to buy beer for everyone around.". Mr Pissetzky admits that he is not "100% familiar" with social media and his children consider him too old but he knows "that's how people make money today". 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. "Afta we don look di document wey dey inside di recent media accounts, di U.S. Attorney Office for Los Angeles, wey file di case against Mr. Abbas, no filed any such document. He has spent his life in the UAE. They keep finding out.. He has spent his life in the UAE. An individual may contact you via e-mail, explaining he needs help to transfer money, Will tell you that political turmoil or a natural disaster makes it difficult for him to make the transfer, Will ask you to give him your financial details so that he can transfer the money into your account, This allows him to access and steal from your account, Be careful what you post on social media and dating sites as scammers use the details to better understand you and target you. Their foreign suppliers did not receive the money Were talking about thousands of euros.. WebBreaking news headlines about Hushpuppi, linking to 1,000s of sources around the world, on NewsNow: the one-stop shop for breaking news. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Hushpuppi alleges bribing DCP Abba Kyari to arrest co-fraudster in $1.1m scam By Motunrayo on Thursday, July 29, 2021 Hushpuppi, the embattled Nigerian socialite, alleged that he bribed Abba Kyari, a deputy commissioner of police (DCP), to arrest a co-fraudster, according to US court documents. "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. "His clients understand that he was victimised," Mr Almazar explains. You can unsubscribe whenever you want. The Rise and Fall of an International Fraudster - BBC United Arab Emirates security agencies bin arrest Hushpuppi wey dey live for Dubai for June 2020. [29] The following day, a US Court granted an FBI warrant to arrest Abba Kyari. Investigators noted the "substantial wealth" on display on hushpuppi's account, where he poses with supercars, shopping bags and in luxury locations. Abigail Mamo, chief executive of the Maltese chamber of small and medium enterprises, says the heist plunged the holiday island into chaos. Di social media influencer don dey detention for almost two years now. This is when his Instagram posts and crimes went to another level. "If Dubai wanted to expel him, they should have expelled him back to Nigeria. To view this content choose accept and continue. Daddy Freeze latest news on Hushpuppi arrest - Di Nigerian radio broadcaster share im experience 26th June 2020. Hushpuppi was American social networking service, Instagram has deactivated the verified account of the embattled internet fraudster, Abbas Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi, Naija News reports. Hushpuppi, for charges bordering on Business Email Compromise (BEC) and money laundering. Abigail Mamo, chief executive of the Maltese chamber of small and medium enterprises, says the heist plunged the holiday island into "chaos". Fashion; by newsdesk. "[3] Prosecutors cited his "significant" financial assets, "deep ties to foreign countries" and a lack of ties to the United States. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Hushpuppi News | Latest News About Hushpuppi on Naija News But the Premiership scam fell apart when the UK banks refused to pay into the Mexican account. He is accused of converting some of the proceeds into a Bitcoin digital wallet, effectively ensuring that they could not be traced. BBC News, Pidgin. 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Ramon Abbas could face up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to money laundering in July 2021. Wia dis foto come from, Instagram/@hushpuppi. 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. Like many Yahoo Boys, Abbas broadened his criminal horizons. He fears that he might get apprehended at immigration immediately.". Too bad they caught on, or it would have been a nice pay out.". And then with that identity theft, they went into dating [scams]," explains Dr Adedeji Oyenuga, a cybercrime expert at Lagos State University. He did not speak again. File on 4 & BBC Africa 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 grassroots elite basketball ; why does ted lasso have a southern accent . ; Is climate change killing Australian wine? [19] The attack was of such seriousness in Malta that then Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was forced to address parliament. Only a single letter or number will be different. "OMG. Hushpuppi is currently being held in the United States for financial offences bordering on wire fraud to which he has pleaded guilty and faces a 20-year jail term if convicted. "He is a social media influencer with millions of followers, with millions of people that respect and loved him, and he loved them, and that's what he did. [14] BBC Subscribe to our email alert of the day's top stories from the UK and around the world. In the last 7 days. Recall that the FBI is prosecuting Ramon Abbas, a.k.a. 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.
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