Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
ABUJA – The Nigeria Police Force, acting through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has successfully extradited a 48-year-old suspected cyber fraud kingpin, Samuel Ugberease, to the United States to face multiple charges of online romance scams, wire fraud, and money laundering. The suspect, who also goes by the aliases “Putsammy”, “Putput”, and “Sammy”, was a South Africa‑based Nigerian national. He was handed over to American law enforcement authorities on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, following the conclusion of extradition proceedings and a coordinated international manhunt that lasted nearly four years.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Okon Placid, investigations revealed that Ugberease was the ringleader of a highly organised criminal syndicate that preyed on vulnerable women. Between 2014 and 2018, the syndicate specifically targeted female victims in the United States, particularly within the Eastern District of North Carolina. The gang operated by creating sophisticated fake online identities and fraudulent dating profiles. They would establish deep, emotional relationships with their victims under false pretences, manipulating them over extended periods before fabricating emergencies that pressured the women into sending large sums of money.
In one of the most egregious cases linked to the suspect, a victim was allegedly defrauded of more than $1.5 million. The statement further noted that the illicit proceeds of the fraud were laundered through a complex web of multiple bank accounts, which were used to receive, process, and conceal the stolen funds. The arrest, which occurred on December 14, 2025, was the result of an INTERPOL Red Notice issued by the United States. Following a tip-off, operatives of the INTERPOL NCB Abuja intercepted Ugberease at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos immediately after his arrival from South Africa. He was subsequently detained while extradition proceedings were initiated at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.
The court eventually granted the application for his extradition in line with the provisions of the Extradition Act, CAP E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. His extradition marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing crackdown on transnational organised crime and highlights the growing effectiveness of international cooperation between Nigerian and United States law enforcement authorities. The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging INTERPOL tools, intelligence-led policing, and international partnerships to combat cybercrime and financial fraud, while assuring both local and international partners of its continued cooperation in advancing global security.
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