The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau Abuja, has extradited a wanted cybercrime suspect, Samuel Ugberease, also known as “Putsammy”, “Putput” and “Sammy”, to the United States to face charges of online romance scams, wire fraud and other financial crimes.
The suspect, who had been residing in South Africa before his arrest, was handed over on Wednesday, 14 May 2026, following the completion of extradition proceedings and coordinated efforts between Nigerian authorities and their U.S. counterparts.
Investigators say Ugberease and his accomplices allegedly ran a criminal network between 2014 and 2018, targeting women in the Eastern District of North Carolina through fake online identities and dating profiles.
Victims were reportedly manipulated into sending large sums of money under false pretences, including staged emergencies and emotional deception.
Authorities further disclosed that the proceeds of the fraud were laundered through multiple bank accounts used to receive and conceal illicit funds. In one of the cases, the suspect was allegedly linked to a scam involving over 1.5 million U.S. dollars.
He was first arrested by INTERPOL operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on 14 December 2025, after arriving from South Africa, following a Red Notice issued by U.S. authorities.
Subsequently, extradition proceedings were filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, which granted approval in line with Nigeria’s Extradition Act.
The Nigeria Police Force says the development underscores its commitment to international cooperation, intelligence-led policing, and sustained efforts against cybercrime and transnational financial fraud