The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. But Hushpuppi's lawyer says his client earned his money by monetising his large social media presence. 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 Hushpuppi also deny money laundering conspiracies, international money laundering and oda crime dem. Antoine Verglas Opens Up About His Journey To Becoming A Fashion Photographer. [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 Judge had initially rejected the plea of the defendant's motion for a delay of judgement. Neither are named in the court documents. Neither are named in the court documents. 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. [37] The study concludes that colonial legacies contributed to the North-South divide regarding online fraud patterns in Nigeria. "The scam was very sophisticated. "Brother I can't send from UK to Mexico," Abbas's sidekick messaged him. Read about our approach to external linking. He pleaded guilty in 2020 to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering, prosecutors said. He has previously denied having any criminal involvement with Abbas and has not responded to the BBCs requests for comment. please read our, Internet Fraud: U.S. court sets Mr Woodberrys sentencing for July 11, Hushpuppis accomplice pleads guilty to internet fraud; agrees to pay $8 million to victims, Fraud: Hushpuppis partner forfeits choice Dubai properties, to pay $8m, Hushpuppis partner Woodberry to pay $8 million after pleading guilty to fraud. He also helped launder millions of pounds stolen from a British company and a professional soccer club in the United Kingdom, got a New York-based law firm to transfer nearly $923,000 to a criminal account and acknowledged in a plea agreement that he helped defraud someone in Qatar who sought a $15 million loan to build a school, federal prosecutors said. April 26, 2023 Hushpuppi: Notorious Nigerian fraudster jailed for 11 years in US BBCView Full coverage on Google News Sources 1/ by newsdesk. But some believe the actual total could be much higher. Mr Almazar says shame prevents many more of Hushpuppi's victims coming forward. The rise and fall of Hushpuppi the social media influencer and global money-launderer. Mr Almazar says shame prevents many more of Hushpuppis victims coming forward. They see another young person who was once like them become that great. But the Premiership scam fell apart when the UK banks refused to pay into the Mexican account. A spokesman for the US Once a relationship is established via a false identity, romance scammers wheedle money from their online lovers. Ray Hushpuppi was already popular on Instagram for his luxurious lifestyle documented exhaustively on his page but he has gained another 100,000 followers since his dramatic arrest. "There was no extradition, there were no legal steps taken, there were no court documents filed, it was simply a call to the FBI. "They keep finding out.". "[12], Many news platforms have reported that Abbas was once a second-hand clothes seller in Lagos. (2022). He is facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. A Nigerian man accused of multimillion-dollar fraud and money laundering by the United States was kidnapped by the FBI from Dubai, his lawyer says. 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. 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. [7] Though the affidavit did not name any bank, according to Forbes, the date of the attack and amount mentioned in the affidavit matched that of the attack on Malta's Bank of Valletta in February 2019. 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 Experts don bin tell BBC Pidgin say if court find [19] The attack was of such seriousness in Malta that then Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was forced to address parliament. "His clients understand that he was victimised," Mr Almazar explains. To view this content choose accept and continue. BEC fraud is a huge issue across the world. A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. A lawyer for Hushpuppi (pictured) says the US had no authority to transport him from Dubai. 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. 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. [22] U.S. authorities also accused him of aiding North Korean hackers in money laundering.[23]. One member threatened to blow the whole scam wide open as he was unhappy about the money he was getting. "I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.". Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. "[3] Prosecutors cited his "significant" financial assets, "deep ties to foreign countries" and a lack of ties to the United States. [3] If convicted of conspiracy to engage in money laundering, Abbas would face a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, perhaps even 20 years, after which he will be deported to his home country Nigeria. In the last 7 days. 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. His clients understand that he was victimised, Mr Almazar explains. Webfunny ways to say home run grassroots elite basketball Menu . TittlePress [34], Public opinion on social media offers opportunities to explore contestations between diverse viewpoints. Please click 'Create Account and Subscribe' to create a new account and subscribe to our email alerts. [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. BEC fraud is a huge issue across the world. TittlePress None of the Premiership clubs would confirm whether or not they were the intended victim. A notorious Instagram influencer from Nigeria has been jailed for more than 11 years in the US for his role in an international fraud syndicate. We will not share your email address with any third parties. But the Dubai police said in a Facebook post that the FBI director had thanked them for extraditing the two men. He is a celebrity. No comments. Professionals were victimised. His social media posts showed him living a life of luxury, complete with private jets, ultra-expensive cars and high-end clothes and watches. "Authorities say, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, perfected a simple internet scam and laundered millions of dollars. On Instagram, he dropped the "Billionaire Gucci Master" moniker for "Real Estate Developer" about eight months before his arrest and subsequent transfer to the US to stand trial. Read about our approach to external linking. United Arab Emirates security agencies bin arrest Hushpuppi wey dey live for Dubai for June 2020. File on 4's Hush Money: The Rise and Fall of an International Fraudster is available on BBC Sounds. During di detention hearing, court for di Northern District of Illinois, USA rule say make di U.S. This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. 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. But the Premiership scam fell apart when the UK banks refused to pay into the Mexican account. Na on top accuse say im dey plan to tiff plenty millions of dollars through business email compromise (BEC), yahoo-yahoo and oda mago-mago. Fashion; by newsdesk. But everyone knew the source of his mysterious wealth - cybercrime; he was a "Yahoo", Seye says. "His clients understand that he was victimised," Mr Almazar explains. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 25(8), 504-511. Ramon Olorunwa Abbas (born 11 October 1982), commonly known as Hushpuppi, Hush, or Ray Hushpuppi is a Nigerian former Instagram influencer and convicted felon. A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. Only a single letter or number will be different. Where Is Hushpuppi? 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. 2023 BBC. Instagram has said Nigerian fraudster Hushpuppi may continue using his account despite facing conviction for fraud in the United States. Dubai-based The National reported that Instagram declared Hushpuppi free to continue using his social media account. It said the Nigerian did not violate the social media platform's laws. [15], He is the subject of a 2017 song "Telli Person" by Nigerian singer Timaya featuring Olamide and Phyno, with whom he had a long-running feud. "If Dubai wanted to expel him, they should have expelled him back to Nigeria. But soon, the cracks between the gang started to show. [36] The study concludes that the process by which some actions are interpreted as a crime compared to others is a moral enterprise. You may want to read Metas Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. According to court documents in California, he has cost victims 17m in total. Read about our approach to external linking. But some believe the actual total could be much higher. It stated that Hushpuppi risks 20 years imprisonment; a 3-year period of supervised release; a fine of $500,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offence. 0. Once a relationship is established via a false identity, romance scammers wheedle money from their online lovers. 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. 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. "Their foreign suppliers did not receive the money We're talking about thousands of euros.". 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 Professionals were victimised. It was to receive 100m from a Premier League Football Club, and 200m from a UK firm. Hushpuppi is believed to have defrauded his victims, including a Qatari businessman and English football club, to the tune of $24 million. Labour Day, May Day: Wetin e mean and how e start. 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. WebThe Latest news in Nigeria and world news. [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. "This case targets a key player in a large, transnational conspiracy who was living an opulent lifestyle in another country while allegedly providing safe havens for stolen money around the world," United States Attorney Nick Hanna said in a statement when the charges were announced. 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. So when you see someone who is rich, you will pray to God to give you his kind of wealth.". 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. 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. [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. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. 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. "Brother I can't send from UK to Mexico," Abbas's sidekick messaged him. Click to get a sign-in link sent to your email. The reply shows the next heist was being planned: "Next one is in few weeks; will let you know when it's ready. As he grew older, Seye says, Abbas liked to splash his cash: "He was generous. Lazarus, S., Button, M., & Adogame, A. 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. Listen to the latest episodes of The Lazarus Heist on BBC Sounds. 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. The scam was very sophisticated. Read about our approach to external linking. [17], Upon his arrival in the United States on 3 July 2020, he was accused of conspiring to launder 'hundreds of millions of dollars'. "We cannot say with 100% certainty that Hushpuppi is behind it," Mr Almazar says. 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. The FBI says $1.7bn was lost by individuals and companies in business email compromise scams in 2019 alone. Multiple sources in Malta including Times of Malta and Malta Today also repeated Forbes's claims that Hushpuppi could have been behind the attack. 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. [31], In 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, criminal adventure and regrets. murders, a place with a murky past. Jon Shilland, fraud lead with the UK's National Crime Agency, says it can be difficult tracking down criminal networks based in multiple jurisdictions. He texted his contact - Nigerian police officer Abba Kyari - saying: "I want him to go through serious beating of his life. 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. 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.
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