Nigeria handed over an alleged romance scam kingpin to the US in a $1.5 million fraud case

Nigerian police have extradited suspected cyber fraudster, Samuel Ugberease, known by pseudonyms including “Putsammy,” “Putput,” and “Sammy,” to the United States to face charges for alleged involvement in online romance fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.

The suspect was extradited on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, after Nigerian authorities completed legal proceedings and coordinated security operations with law enforcement agencies in the United States.

According to police, Ugberease had been living in South Africa before his arrest and was wanted by US authorities for his alleged role in a transnational fraud syndicate accused of targeting vulnerable women through fake online relationships.

Confirming the extradition, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, revealed that investigations uncovered a long-term criminal network allegedly operating between 2014 and 2018.

“The investigation revealed that between 2014 and 2018, the suspect and his accomplices operated a criminal syndicate that engaged in online romance fraud targeting female victims in the United States, specifically in the Eastern District of North Carolina,” it said.

Police said the syndicate allegedly used fake identities on social media and fake dating profiles to emotionally deceive victims before convincing them to give large sums of money under false pretenses of emergencies.

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“The syndicate reportedly created fake online identities and dating profiles to build deceptive emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending large amounts of money under false pretenses and fabricated emergencies,” Placid added.

Authorities further allege that the fraudulent proceeds were moved through multiple bank accounts in an attempt to conceal the origin of the funds and avoid detection by investigators.

“Further investigation determined that the fraudulent proceeds were laundered through multiple bank accounts used to receive, process and hide illicit funds.”

A police spokesperson revealed that in one of the cases linked to the suspect, a victim allegedly lost more than $1.5 million in the criminal operation.

“In one of the reported cases, the suspect was linked to defrauding victims of over one million five hundred thousand United States dollars ($1.5 million USD),” he said.

Nigerian police revealed that Ugberease was initially arrested by agents of INTERPOL Abuja National Central Bureau at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on December 14, 2025, shortly after arriving in Nigeria from South Africa.

According to the police, the arrest was a follow-up to an INTERPOL Red Notice issued at the request of the United States authorities.

“The fugitive was initially arrested by INTERPOL NCB Abuja agents at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on 14 December 2025 upon arrival from South Africa, following an INTERPOL Red Notice issued by authorities in the United States.”

The police added that extradition proceedings then commenced before the Federal High Court in Lagos, where the court approved the request in line with Nigeria’s extradition law.

“Subsequently, extradition proceedings were conducted at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, where the court granted his extradition request in accordance with the provisions of the Extradition Act, CAP E25, Laws of the Nigerian Federation, 2004.”

Reaffirming its commitment to tackling international cybercrime and financial fraud, police said collaboration with foreign security agencies will continue to strengthen efforts against transnational organized criminal networks.