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 The sentencing of confessed internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi has been shifted by the US Central District Court in California. The reply shows the next heist was being planned: Next one is in few weeks; will let you know when its ready. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Just days after we put the same question to Snapchat, which deleted Hushpuppis account. Where Is Hushpuppi? Hushpuppi Hushpuppi - the Instagram influencer and international "Damn," Abbas said in a text to a fellow scammer at the time in messages obtained by the FBI. 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. Like many Yahoo Boys, Abbas broadened his criminal horizons. Just days after we put the same question to Snapchat, which deleted Hushpuppi's account. Read about our approach to external linking. Breaking news: an unexpected interview. Mr Almazar says shame prevents many more of Hushpuppi's victims coming forward. During di detention hearing, court for di Northern District of Illinois, USA rule say make di U.S. 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. The rise and fall of Hushpuppi the social media influencer and global money-launderer. His father was a taxi driver. "Damn," Abbas said in a text to a fellow scammer at the time in messages obtained by the FBI. In the last 7 days. But if you look at the bank accounts that police have traced, they all belong to the records obtained by the police in their raids [on Hushpuppis home in Dubai].. "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. As he grew older, Seye says, Abbas liked to splash his cash: "He was generous. He used to buy beer for everyone around.". Please click 'Sign in and Subscribe' to continue. Professionals were victimised. His clients understand that he was victimised, Mr Almazar explains. Daddy Freeze latest news on Hushpuppi arrest - Di Nigerian radio broadcaster share im experience 26th June 2020. Ramon Abbas could face up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to money laundering in July 2021. 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. 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. "We cannot say with 100% certainty that Hushpuppi is behind it," Mr Almazar says. hushpuppi Neither are named in the court documents. He has previously denied having any criminal involvement with Abbas - and has not responded to the BBC's requests for comment. Read about our approach to external linking. grassroots elite basketball ; why does ted lasso have a southern accent . ; You can unsubscribe whenever you want. Jon Shilland, fraud lead with the UK's National Crime Agency, says it can be difficult tracking down criminal networks based in multiple jurisdictions. Local driver Seye told the BBC that he remembered Abbas as a young boy working alongside his mother in the Olojojo market. Jon Shilland, fraud lead with the UK's National Crime Agency, says it can be difficult tracking down criminal networks based in multiple jurisdictions. No comments. Professionals were victimised. 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. Hushpuppi Some are hesitant to admit what has happened.". He is not a citizen of the United States, the US had absolutely no authority to take him," his lawyer says. In May 2019, Abbas was tasked with setting up a bank account in Mexico. Exclusive: Woodberry, Hushpuppis ally, pleads guilty to fraud, Hushpuppis ally, Woodberry pleads guilty to fraud charge in US, Hushpuppis ally, Woodberry, pleads guilty to internet fraud, forfeits $8m, others, Hushpuppis close ally Woodberry pleads guilty, forfeits $8m, luxury Dubai assets, Posh Dubai assets Hushpuppis ally, Woodberry, is to forfeit to US govt, Hushpuppis colleague Woodberry pleads guilty to internet fraud, to forfeit Dubai assets, return $8m to victims. Why Nigerian cyber fraudsters are 'role models', 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. BBC We received calls from our members telling us they were sending money using Bank of Vallettas platform to their foreign suppliers, says Ms Mamo. [38][39] A short documentary about the life of Hushpuppi till his arrest has been released by both Bloomberg[40] and BBC Africa.[41]. Hushpuppi, for charges bordering on Business Email Compromise (BEC) and money laundering. "Brother I can't send from UK to Mexico," Abbas's sidekick messaged him. [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. 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. I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.. [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. "Yes, please," he replied, subdued. We contacted Instagram to ask why his account was still open. EXCLUSIVE: Again, U. S. court postpones sentencing of 13.The story of Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, a popular Instagram influencer from Nigeria who became "one of the most prolific money launderers in the world," according to the FBI. 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. Olalekan Jacob Ponle, known as "Mr Woodbery", flaunted his wealth, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. Kemi Olunloyo set to release long list of actresses who slept Fraud:Woodberry, Hushpuppis Partner, to Forfeit $8m Choice Properties, Hushpuppis accomplice pleads guilty to internet fraud; agrees to pay $8m to victims, Hushpuppis Ally, Woodberry, Pleads Guilty To Internet Fraud, Forfeits $8m, Others, EXCLUSIVE: Woodberry, Hushpuppis ally, pleads guilty to fraud, Hushpuppis Close Ally Woodberry Pleads Guilty, Forfeits $8m, Luxury Dubai Assets, Hushpuppi's associate, Woodberry, pleads guilty, forfeits $8m, assets. We contacted Instagram to ask why his Hushpuppi latest news: US justice department dismiss Hushpuppi Like many Yahoo Boys, Abbas broadened his criminal horizons. Na U.S. law firm, one foreign bank and one English Premier League club be im target. [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. Some are hesitant to admit what has happened.". Premium Times (November 2022). So when you see someone who is rich, you will pray to God to give you his kind of wealth.". 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-profile fraudsters and faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years in the US after pleading guilty to money laundering. "But if you look at the bank accounts that police have traced, they all belong to the records obtained by the police in their raids [on Hushpuppi's home in Dubai].". He refused to discuss how he was getting paid for legal fees or the source of Hushpuppi's money. The United Arab Emirates has no extradition treaty with the United States but Dubai police said they had been extradited to the US. He did not answer how he ended up in US custody. Multiple sources in Malta including Times of Malta and Malta Today also repeated Forbes's claims that Hushpuppi could have been behind the attack. Lazarus, S., & Button, M. (2022). Click to get a sign-in link sent to your email. It is alleged that Mr Kyari then falsely arrested and detained the middleman for a month in a squalid Nigerian cell. a court deputy asked on Thursday when he dialled into the hearing from federal prison. One member threatened to blow the whole scam wide open as he was unhappy about the money he was getting. Neither are named in the court documents. November 8, 2022. 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. Antoine Verglas Opens Up About His Journey To Becoming A Fashion Photographer. 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. ", Seye says everyone knows Hushpuppi has committed a crime, but it is understandable: "No-one prays to be poor. Too bad they caught on, or it would have been a nice pay out.". BBC [19] The attack was of such seriousness in Malta that then Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was forced to address parliament. An existing account was found for this email address. So when you see someone who is rich, you will pray to God to give you his kind of wealth.". One member threatened to blow the whole scam wide open as he was unhappy about the money he was getting. One member threatened to blow the whole scam wide open as he was unhappy about the money he was getting. "I have seen parents who have taken their children to learn how to become Yahoo Boys. Many went to Malaysia - and Abbas followed them, ending up in Kuala Lumpur around 2014, then Dubai in 2017. WebThe Latest news in Nigeria and world news. 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. This article contains content provided by Instagram. [36] The manifestation of linguistic maneuvering, "advantageous comparison" as a preferred technique of choice by Twitter users, exposes their total trivialization of online fraudsters' economic actions, e.g., Huspuppi. It was to receive 100m from a Premier League Football Club, and 200m from a UK firm. Despite him pleading guilty in April to money laundering, Hushpuppi's social media is still live and attracting followers. The United Arab Emirates has no extradition treaty with the United States but Dubai police said they had been extradited to the US. His past says a lot about digital swagger and the kinds of stories that get told online. It is alleged that Mr Kyari then falsely arrested and detained the middleman for a month in a squalid Nigerian cell. Wia dis foto come from, Twitter/@USAO_LosAngeles. Ramon Olorunwa Abbas aka Hushpuppi reported $400,000 fraud inside US prison no be true. "The scam was very sophisticated. 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. Recall that the FBI is prosecuting Ramon Abbas, a.k.a. 2023 BBC. He is facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Director of Media Relations, United States Attorney's Office, Central District of California Mrozek Thom tell BBC Pidgin say di tori no dey true. 2023 BBC. WebHushpuppis Ally, Woodberry Pleads Guilty To Yahoo Yahoo, To Forfeit $8 Million, Cars, Watches, Others. The 37-year-old began his career in Oworonshoki, a poor coastal area in the north-east of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital. The complaint against him says one Chicago-based company "was defrauded into sending wire transfers totalling $15.2m". But soon, the cracks between the gang started to show. Local driver Seye told the BBC that he remembered Abbas as a young boy working alongside his mother in the Olojojo market. Di social media influencer don dey detention for almost two years now. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. "Their foreign suppliers did not receive the money We're talking about thousands of euros.". Abbas is also accused of committing fraud in Nigeria as he is also wanted by Nigeria's financial crime police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.[25]. 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. As he grew older, Seye says, Abbas liked to splash his cash: He was generous. 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. Listen to the latest episodes of The Lazarus Heist on BBC Sounds. 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 "I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.". But the Dubai police said in a Facebook post that the FBI director had thanked them for extraditing the two men. 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Mr Almazar says shame prevents many more of Hushpuppi's victims coming forward. [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. The bank said it managed to recover 10m euros. He texted his contact - Nigerian police officer Abba Kyari - saying: "I want him to go through serious beating of his life. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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. 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. Experts don bin tell BBC Pidgin say if court find Hushpuppi guilty of di accuse, e fit face maximum prison sentence of nothing less than 20 years for federal prison. 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 The Rise and Fall of an International Fraudster - BBC This is when his Instagram posts - and crimes - went to another level. Stay informed. As he grew older, Seye says, Abbas liked to splash his cash: "He was generous. [1] He was sentenced in the United States to 11 years 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 Premier League club. Abigail Mamo, chief executive of the Maltese chamber of small and medium enterprises, says the heist plunged the holiday island into "chaos". He fears that he might get apprehended at immigration immediately.. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. It did not name the institution by name but a bank in Malta reported losing the same sum to hackers that same month. And now Mr Kyari too is wanted in the US on charges of fraud, money laundering and identity theft. [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. Too bad they caught on, or it would have been a nice pay out.. Hushpuppi is currently standing trial in the US for cyber fraud, money laundering and other related crimes, following his arrest in 2020 along with associates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He fears that he might get apprehended at immigration immediately.". He was sentenced to nearly 12 years in federal prison and was ordered to pay more than $30 million in restitution. For pretrial, Ramon Abass aka Hushpuppi don bin plead not guilty to di four counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. [35] A recent study demonstrates that many people on Twitter trivialize the fraudulent actions of online fraudsters such as Hushpuppi. 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. Available for over a year hushpuppi The 37-year-old began his career in Oworonshoki, a poor coastal area in the north-east of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital. In May 2019, Abbas was tasked with setting up a bank account in Mexico. They see another young person who was once like them become that great. Abigail Mamo, chief executive of the Maltese chamber of small and medium enterprises, says the heist plunged the holiday island into chaos. How Hushpuppi bribed Abba Kyari, the full text of their conversation 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. BBC's detailed report on Hushpuppi - the Instagram influencer "Their foreign suppliers did not receive the money We're talking about thousands of euros.". The scams were to be carried out via Business Email Compromise (BEC). He has spent his life in the UAE. 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. murders, a place with a murky past. 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.'. The scam was very sophisticated. Hushpuppi, Nigerian social media influencer, funded his luxurious lifestyle by cybercrime. You may want to read Metas Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. 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". U.S. court fixes new date for Hushpuppis trial The rise and fall of Hushpuppi the social media influencer and global money-launderer. 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TittlePress A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. "I have seen parents who have taken their children to learn how to become Yahoo Boys. The bank said it managed to recover 10m euros. He is a celebrity. But everyone knew the source of his mysterious wealth - cybercrime; he was a "Yahoo", Seye says. You may want to read Metas Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. Read about our approach to external linking. "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. It is alleged that Mr Kyari then falsely arrested and detained the middleman for a month in a squalid Nigerian cell. Hushpuppi also deny money laundering conspiracies, international money laundering and oda crime dem. 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. "They keep finding out.". One Million Dollars Per Constituency: Middle Belt Dev't Authority commissions three projects. Despite him pleading guilty in April to money laundering, Hushpuppi's social media is still live and attracting followers. BBC Mr Ponle, the other Nigerian arrested in Dubai and currently in custody in the United States, is also preparing for trial. 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. He has previously denied having any criminal involvement with Abbas and has not responded to the BBCs requests for comment. 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. 40 mins; According to court documents in California, he has cost victims 17m in total. "But they also have to cover their losses, so right now he doesn't know how he can get back to the UAE. "[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. 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