Please try different keywords. 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. BBC News, Pidgin. According to the affidavit[24] other communications between Abbas and one of his co-conspirators indicated that the two had conspired to "launder tens, and at times hundreds, of millions of dollars that were proceeds of other fraudulent schemes and computer intrusions, including a fraudulent scheme to steal 100 million ($124 million) from an English Premier League football club. Read about our approach to external linking. He assumed the identity of a New York banker to entrap his victim, a Qatari businessperson seeking a $15m loan to build a new school in the Gulf state. He used to buy beer for everyone around.". Director of Media Relations, United States Attorney's Office, Central District of California Mrozek Thom tell BBC Pidgin say di tori no dey true. Snared by the FBI in 2020, Abbas is better known as Instagram influencer Hushpuppi, who flaunted a life of designer clothes, private jets and penthouse apartments to millions of followers. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. But soon, the cracks between the gang started to show. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Local driver Seye told the BBC that he remembered Abbas as a young boy working alongside his mother in the Olojojo market. Subscribe to our email alert of the day's top stories from the UK and around the world. His social media posts showed him living a life of luxury, complete with private jets, ultra-expensive cars and high-end clothes and watches. But the Dubai police said in a Facebook post that the FBI director had thanked them for extraditing the two men. Ramon Olorunwa Abbas (born 11 October 1982), commonly known as Hushpuppi, Hush, or Ray Hushpuppi is a Nigerian former Instagram influencer and convicted felon. As he grew older, Seye says, Abbas liked to splash his cash: "He was generous. Most cyber-criminals remain nameless, faceless, anonymous and all but untraceable. The sentencing of confessed internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi has been shifted by the US Central District Court in California. But some believe the actual total could be much higher. Ramon Olorunwa Abbas - known to his 2.5 million Instagram followers as Ray Hushpuppi - and another cyber-heist suspect Olalekan Jacob Ponle (aka Mr Woodberry) were arrested in Dubai, where they lived, in June. 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].. It is alleged that Mr Kyari then falsely arrested and detained the middleman for a month in a squalid Nigerian cell. According to court documents in California, he has cost victims 17m in total. De external site no concern BBC. 40 mins; Advantageous comparison: using Twitter responses to understand similarities between cybercriminals (Yahoo Boys) and politicians (Yahoo men). Some are hesitant to admit what has happened.". Na U.S. law firm, one foreign bank and one English Premier League club be im target. [8] He also holds a passport from St Kitts and Nevis, which was fraudulently obtained through a sham marriage to a St. Kitts and Nevis citizen. 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 affidavit claims that Mr Abbas conspired to launder $14.7m (11.7m) stolen in a cyber-heist from a foreign financial institution in February 2019. "He is a social media influencer with millions of followers, with millions of people that respect and loved him, and he loved them, and that's what he did. He is not a citizen of the United States, the US had absolutely no authority to take him," his lawyer says. Please check you have typed it correctly. Just days after we put the same question to Snapchat, which deleted Hushpuppi's account. But everyone knew the source of his mysterious wealth cybercrime; he was a Yahoo, Seye says. 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. "I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.". 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. They then appeared in a Chicago court on 3 July. The social media platform told the BBC that it had carried out an investigation into his account - but had decided not to close it. Professionals were victimised. Click to get a sign-in link sent to your email. File on 4's Hush Money: The Rise and Fall of an International Fraudster is available on BBC Sounds. The reply shows the next heist was being planned: Next one is in few weeks; will let you know when its ready. "Afta we don look di document wey dey inside di recent media accounts, di U.S. Attorney Office for Los Angeles, wey file di case against Mr. Abbas, no filed any such document. Detectives seized more than 150 million dirham (about $40 million) in cash, 13 luxury cars worth Dh 25 million ($7M), 21 laptops, 47 smartphones, 15 memory storage devices, five external hard drives and 800,000 emails of potential victims alongside suitcases full of cash. They're sometimes called 419 scams, after the relevant article in the Nigerian Criminal Code. "Yahoo Boys" are romance scammers who took their name from the first free email available in Nigeria. Hushpuppi, Nigerian social media influencer, funded his luxurious lifestyle by cybercrime. 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. [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. Like many Yahoo Boys, Abbas broadened his criminal horizons. Sorry, no headlines or news topics were found. "Authorities say, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, perfected a simple internet scam and laundered millions of dollars. WebFirst broadcast: Thu 16 th Sep 2021, 02:32 on BBC World Service Australasia Latest broadcast: Thu 16 th Sep 2021, 20:06 on BBC World Service East Asia. This article contains content provided by Instagram. Wia dis foto come from, Twitter/@USAO_LosAngeles. Is climate change killing Australian wine? To view this content choose accept and continue. But everyone knew the source of his mysterious wealth - cybercrime; he was a "Yahoo", Seye says. Some of it was laundered via the purchase of a watch worth a staggering $230,000. His father was a taxi driver. ", Seye says everyone knows Hushpuppi has committed a crime, but it is understandable: "No-one prays to be poor. Forgot your password? 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. The rise and fall of Hushpuppi the social media influencer and global money-launderer. "Their foreign suppliers did not receive the money We're talking about thousands of euros.". Dr Oyenuga says Hushpuppi's influence endures as he is still regarded as a role model: "We're in a country where a lot of young people are suffering. The rise and fall of Hushpuppi the social media influencer and global money-launderer. The United Arab Emirates has no extradition treaty with the United States but Dubai police said they had been extradited to the US. 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. TittlePress Shopping trolleys filled with goods were abandoned at checkouts as payment systems shut down. This article contains content provided by Instagram. "[12], Many news platforms have reported that Abbas was once a second-hand clothes seller in Lagos. An existing account was found for this email address. Breaking news: an unexpected interview. To view this content choose accept and continue. 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. But soon, the cracks between the gang started to show. Read about our approach to external linking. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. Notorious and disgraced Internet fraudster, Olalekan Jacob Ponle, also known as Woodberry, has pleaded guilty to internet fraud. WebIn 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, Hushpuppi alleges bribing DCP Abba Kyari to arrest co-fraudster in $1.1m scam By Motunrayo on Thursday, July 29, 2021 Hushpuppi, the embattled Nigerian socialite, alleged that he bribed Abba Kyari, a deputy commissioner of police (DCP), to arrest a co-fraudster, according to US court documents. Hushpuppi, Nigerian social media influencer, funded his luxurious lifestyle by cybercrime. Too bad they caught on, or it would have been a nice pay out.. Available for over a year [32], On 19 September 2022, Judge Otis Wright delayed Hushpuppi's sentencing to 3 November 2022. This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. At the time, Dubai police said they recovered $40m (32m) in cash, 13 luxury cars worth $6.8m, 21 computers, 47 smartphones and the addresses of nearly two million alleged victims. [10][11][12] The arrest was part of an FBI investigation that indicted him as being a "key player" in a transnational cybercrime network that provided "safe havens for stolen money around the world. By his own admission, during just an 18-month period defendant conspired to launder over $300 million, prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum, although they said much of the intended loss did not ultimately materialize.. He has spent his life in the UAE. Hushpuppi was American social networking service, Instagram has deactivated the verified account of the embattled internet fraudster, Abbas Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi, Naija News reports. [29] The following day, a US Court granted an FBI warrant to arrest Abba Kyari. One member threatened to blow the whole scam wide open as he was unhappy about the money he was getting. [36] The study argues that this type of linguistic manipulation voiced as public opinion on Twitter denies the sufferings of victims of online fraud. 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. 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 Hushpuppi's BEC scams. We will not share your email address with any third parties. 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. Professionals were victimised. 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 the Premiership scam fell apart when the UK banks refused to pay into the Mexican account. It was to receive 100m from a Premier League Football Club, and 200m from a UK firm. I have seen parents who have taken their children to learn how to become Yahoo Boys., Seye says everyone knows Hushpuppi has committed a crime, but it is understandable: No-one prays to be poor. 2023 BBC. "You'll have to ask them about why they called it an extradition," the US Department of Justice (DoJ) spokesman responded in an email. The 37-year-old began his career in Oworonshoki, a poor coastal area in the north-east of Lagos, Nigerias commercial capital. Brother I cant send from UK to Mexico, Abbass sidekick messaged him. Assignment reveals the inside story of Ramon Abbas, one of a new breed of global cyber-fraudsters. 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. And then with that identity theft, they went into dating [scams]," explains Dr Adedeji Oyenuga, a cybercrime expert at Lagos State University. And now Mr Kyari too is wanted in the US on charges of fraud, money laundering and identity theft. It was to receive 100m from a Premier League Football Club, and 200m from a UK firm. Their foreign suppliers did not receive the money Were talking about thousands of euros.. Shopping trolleys filled with goods were abandoned at checkouts as payment systems shut down. Stay informed. A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. 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 Hushpuppi's BEC scams. "We cannot say with 100% certainty that Hushpuppi is behind it," Mr Almazar says. Experts don bin tell BBC Pidgin say if court find Hushpuppi latest news: US justice department dismiss Hushpuppi $400 fraud in prison tori 17 March 2022 Instagram/@hushpuppi Ramon Olorunwa Abbas aka Social media influencer Hushpuppi sentenced to 11 years in prison over money laundering conspiracy. Video, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, he attempted to launder 13m euros (11m; $15m) stolen by a gang of North Korean hackers from the Maltese Bank of Valletta, pleading guilty in April to money laundering, The Nigerian super sleuth wanted in the US, Flashy Nigerian Instagrammers 'caught with $40m in cash', Why Nigerian cyber fraudsters are 'role models', Serena Williams announces pregnancy at Met Gala, Corpse found under Tibet hotel bed leads to probe, New record as 4.56m Indians take flights in a day, Shooting suspect was deported four times - US media, Met Gala 2023: Stars celebrate Karl Lagerfeld, Japan to ban upskirting in stronger sex crime laws, BP profits of 4bn in three months spark criticism. Abigail Mamo, chief executive of the Maltese chamber of small and medium enterprises, says the heist plunged the holiday island into "chaos". The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Reading Time: 4 mins read. 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. We contacted Instagram to ask why his account was still open. [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. You may want to read Metas Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. The reply shows the next heist was being planned: "Next one is in few weeks; will let you know when it's ready. The scams were to be carried out via Business Email Compromise (BEC). 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. He refused to discuss how he was getting paid for legal fees or the source of Hushpuppi's money. a court deputy asked on Thursday when he dialled into the hearing from federal prison. [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. He did not speak again. And then with that identity theft, they went into dating [scams]," explains Dr Adedeji Oyenuga, a cybercrime expert at Lagos State University. Insurance Penetration: CIIG moves to deepen awareness on policy purchase, May Day Celebration: Workers in Nkwanta rally to demand better labor conditions -Adom TV News, Access to Electricity: 12 border communities at Chereponi are connected to the national grid - Adom. All rights reserved. He apologised to his family members for bringing them shame while commending the FBI for doing a thorough job while bringing him to justice. 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. Ramon Olorunwa Abbas aka Hushpuppi reported $400,000 fraud inside US prison no be true. Multiple sources in Malta including Times of Malta and Malta Today also repeated Forbes's claims that Hushpuppi could have been behind the attack. 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. De way wey we de take go external link. This article contains content provided by Instagram. "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].". murders, a place with a murky past. "His clients understand that he was victimised," Mr Almazar explains. Is climate change killing Australian wine? July 5, 2022. Hushpuppi also deny money laundering conspiracies, international money laundering and oda crime dem. The reply shows the next heist was being planned: "Next one is in few weeks; will let you know when it's ready. 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. A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. The scams were to be carried out via Business Email Compromise (BEC). [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. He assumed the identity of a New York banker to entrap his victim, a Qatari businessperson seeking a $15m loan to build a new school in the Gulf state. Latest News . 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. At Mondays sentencing, Abbas was sentenced to to 135 months in federal prison and was ordered to pay $922,857 in restitution to the law firm and $809,983 in restitution to the victim in Qatar. Lazarus, S., & Button, M. (2022). Recall that Hushpuppis sentence had been moved three times since getting convicted in 2021. He did not answer how he ended up in US custody. It did not name the institution by name but a bank in Malta reported losing the same sum to hackers that same month. So when you see someone who is rich, you will pray to God to give you his kind of wealth.". [36], Related to the above, another study on public opinion on Twitter revealed significant discrepancies between Nigeria's northern and southern regions regarding online fraudsters' arrests, convictions, and sentencing. He is facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Mr Abbas' lawyer Gal Pissetzky told the BBC that his client, who posts on Instagram about his extravagant lifestyle, was not a criminal and had made his money legitimately. Professionals were victimised. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? We contacted Instagram to ask why his account was still open. So when you see someone who is rich, you will pray to God to give you his kind of wealth., BBCs detailed report on Hushpuppi the Instagram influencer and international fraudster, he attempted to launder 13m euros (11m; $15m) stolen by a gang of North Korean hackers from the Maltese Bank of Valletta, pleading guilty in April to money laundering. 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. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. Listen to the latest episodes of The Lazarus Heist on BBC Sounds. "They came up with the idea of stealing identities. BEC fraud is a huge issue across the world. The bank did not respond to a request for comment. We cannot say with 100% certainty that Hushpuppi is behind it, Mr Almazar says. Damn, Abbas said in a text to a fellow scammer at the time in messages obtained by the FBI. Stay informed. The scams were to be carried out via Business Email Compromise (BEC). ", Seye says everyone knows Hushpuppi has committed a crime, but it is understandable: "No-one prays to be poor. Just days after we put the same question to Snapchat, which deleted Hushpuppi's account. They see another young person who was once like them become that great. We contacted Instagram to ask why his Once a relationship is established via a false identity, romance scammers wheedle money from their online lovers. We will not share your email address with any third parties. A lawyer for Hushpuppi (pictured) says the US had no authority to transport him from Dubai. But some believe the actual total could be much higher. We don't have an account for this email address. Hushpuppi's close associate, Mompha once revealed that his dad is still a cab driver in Lagos. Hushpuppi is believed to have defrauded his victims, including a Qatari businessman and English football club, to the tune of $24 million. The social media platform told the BBC that it had carried out an investigation into his account - but had decided not to close it. [34], Public opinion on social media offers opportunities to explore contestations between diverse viewpoints. 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. The bank said it managed to recover 10m euros. "I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.". The Judge had initially rejected the plea of the defendant's motion for a delay of judgement. A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. Tori bin dey circulate for local media say di Instagram celebrity bin receive fresh charges. For July 2020, di UAE later extradite Hushpuppi go Chicago for America under FBI special agents custody wia dem first carry am go court. "Brother I can't send from UK to Mexico," Abbas's sidekick messaged him. This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. "They keep finding out.". 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. Only a single letter or number will be different. Some are hesitant to admit what has happened.". By clicking "OK" or continuing to use this site, you agree that we may collect and use your personal data and set The bank said it managed to recover 10m euros. "His clients understand that he was victimised," Mr Almazar explains. [13] Abbas prided himself on his humble beginnings. Rapper 50 Cents to Produce Hushpuppi Series, retrieved: Bloomberg (June 2021). 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. WebThe big boy Hushpuppi was humbled when he was handcuffed just like a petty criminal, his designers and latest cars could do nothing. Fashion; by newsdesk. 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]. Use at least 8 characters, an uppercase and a lowercase letter, and a number or symbol. Local driver Seye told the BBC that he remembered Abbas as a young boy working alongside his mother in the Olojojo market. The U. S. Central District Court in California has again postponed the sentencing of a Nigerian Instagram celebrity, "Damn," Abbas said in a text to a fellow scammer at the time in messages obtained by the FBI. [7] He claimed to be a real estate developer. Just days after we put the same question to Snapchat, which deleted Hushpuppis account. Local driver Seye told the BBC that he remembered Abbas as a young boy working alongside his mother in the Olojojo market. grassroots elite basketball ; why does ted lasso have a southern accent . ; Ramon Abbas - known to his 2.5 million Instagram followers as Hushpuppi - is considered by the FBI to be one of the