The Nigeria Police Force has extradited Samuel Ugberease, also known as Putsammy, to the United States to face charges over an alleged $1.5 million online romance and wire fraud scheme.
Ugberease was flown out on May 14, 2026, following extradition proceedings at the Federal High Court in Lagos, police said Thursday.
Investigators say the suspect and his accomplices ran a syndicate between 2014 and 2018 that targeted women in the U.S., especially in North Carolina’s Eastern District. They allegedly created fake dating profiles, built emotional relationships with victims, and tricked them into sending money for fabricated emergencies.
Police said the proceeds were laundered through multiple bank accounts to conceal the fraud.
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Ugberease was arrested at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport on December 14, 2025, on arrival from South Africa, acting on an INTERPOL Red Notice issued by U.S. authorities.
The Force said the extradition followed coordinated work between Nigerian and U.S. law enforcement and pledged continued cooperation on cybercrime and transnational fraud through INTERPOL and intelligence-led policing.
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