The Nigeria Police Force has extradited an alleged online romance scam suspect, Samuel Ugberease, also known as “Putsammy”, “Putput”, and “Sammy”, to the United States to face charges of wire fraud, romance scam, and related financial crimes.
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The Force said the suspect was extradited on Wednesday following the conclusion of extradition proceedings and coordinated efforts between Nigerian and United States law enforcement authorities.
According to a statement on Thursday by the Force spokesman, Anthony Placid, the police said investigations revealed that Ugberease and his accomplices operated a criminal syndicate between 2014 and 2018 that targeted female victims in the United States, particularly within the Eastern District of North Carolina.
He said the syndicate was said to have created fake online identities and dating profiles to establish fraudulent emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending money under false pretences and fabricated emergencies.
Placid said, “The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Abuja, has successfully extradited one Samuel Ugberease, also known as ‘Putsammy’, ‘Putput’, and ‘Sammy’, to the United States of America to face charges bordering on online romance scam, wire fraud, and related financial crimes.
“The suspect, who was based in South Africa prior to his arrest, was extradited on Wednesday, 14th May 2026, following the conclusion of extradition proceedings and coordinated engagements between Nigerian and United States law enforcement authorities.
“Investigations revealed that between 2014 and 2018, the suspect and his accomplices operated a criminal syndicate involved in online romance scams targeting female victims in the United States, particularly within the Eastern District of North Carolina.
“The syndicate reportedly created fake online identities and dating profiles to establish fraudulent emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending large sums of money under false pretences and fabricated emergencies.”
Placid noted that investigations further showed that proceeds of the fraud were laundered through multiple bank accounts allegedly used to receive, process, and conceal illicit funds.
He disclosed that in one of the reported cases, the suspect allegedly defrauded a victim of more than $1.5m.
Placid said, “Further investigations established that proceeds of the fraud were laundered through multiple bank accounts used to receive, process, and conceal illicit funds. In one of the reported cases, the suspect was linked to the defrauding of a victim of over $1.5m.
“The fugitive was initially arrested by operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on 14th December 2025 upon his arrival from South Africa, following an INTERPOL Red Notice issued by authorities in the United States.
“Subsequently, extradition proceedings were instituted at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, where the court granted the application for his extradition in accordance with the provisions of the Extradition Act, Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,” he said.
He added that extradition proceedings were subsequently instituted at the Federal High Court in Lagos, which granted the application for his extradition in line with the provisions of the Extradition Act.
Placid, however, assured local and international partners of the Force’s continued cooperation in advancing global security.
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