Nigerian Police Extradite Wanted $1.5 Million Fraud Suspect in US – THIS END

By Ayo Kehinde

The Nigeria Police Force has stepped up its crackdown on cyber crime and transnational financial fraud with the extradition of a Nigerian cyber fraud suspect, Samuel Ugberease, to the United States of America on charges bordering on online romance scams, wire fraud and money laundering of over $1.5 million.

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, said Ugberease, also known by the aliases “Putsammy”, “Putput” and “Sammy”, was extradited on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, through the coordinated efforts of INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja and American law enforcement authorities following the completion of extradition proceedings in Nigeria.

Police said the suspect, who resided in South Africa before his arrest, was allegedly a member of a criminal syndicate involved in sophisticated online romance scams against women in the United States, specifically in the Eastern District of North Carolina, between 2014 and 2018.

Investigators revealed that the syndicate allegedly created false online identities and fraudulent dating profiles to establish emotional relationships with unsuspecting victims before manipulating them into sending large sums of money under false pretenses and trumped-up emergencies.

According to law enforcement authorities, the proceeds of the fraud were laundered through various bank accounts used to receive, transfer and hide illicit funds.

In one of the cases under investigation, the suspect was allegedly linked to defrauding a victim of more than $1.5 million.

The fugitive was initially arrested by INTERPOL NCB Abuja operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on December 14, 2025, shortly after arriving in Nigeria from South Africa.

His arrest followed the issuance of an INTERPOL Red Notice by US authorities calling for international cooperation in his arrest and extradition.

Following his arrest, extradition proceedings were initiated before the Federal High Court, which subsequently granted the extradition request in accordance with the provisions of the Extradition Act, CAP E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The extradition is seen as another significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international collaboration in the fight against cybercrime, financial fraud and other transnational organized crimes.

Reaffirming the Force’s commitment to global security cooperation, the Nigerian Police said it will continue to leverage intelligence-led policing, international partnerships and INTERPOL tools to ensure criminal networks operating across borders are dismantled and brought to justice.

The Force also assured local and international partners of its determination to sustain collaboration to curb cybercrime and protect the integrity of global financial systems.

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