By Ayo Kehinde
The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its crackdown on cybercrime and transnational financial fraud with the successful extradition of a wanted Nigerian cyber fraud suspect, Samuel Ugberease, to the United States of America over allegations bordering on online romance scams, wire fraud, and money laundering involving more than $1.5 million.
Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, said Ugberease, also known by the aliases “Putsammy”, “Putput”, and “Sammy”, was extradited on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, through the coordinated efforts of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja and American law enforcement authorities after the completion of extradition proceedings in Nigeria.
The police said the suspect, who had been based in South Africa prior to his arrest, was allegedly a member of a criminal syndicate involved in sophisticated online romance scams targeting women in the United States, particularly within the Eastern District of North Carolina, between 2014 and 2018.
Investigators disclosed that the syndicate allegedly created fake online identities and fraudulent dating profiles to establish emotional relationships with unsuspecting victims before manipulating them into sending large sums of money under false pretences and fabricated emergencies.
According to findings by law enforcement authorities, the proceeds of the fraud were laundered through several bank accounts used to receive, transfer, and conceal illicit funds.
In one of the cases under investigation, the suspect was reportedly linked to the defrauding of a victim of more than $1.5 million.
The fugitive was initially arrested by operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on December 14, 2025, shortly after arriving in Nigeria from South Africa.
His arrest followed the issuance of an INTERPOL Red Notice by authorities in the United States seeking international cooperation for his apprehension and extradition.
Following his arrest, extradition proceedings were instituted before the Federal High Court, which subsequently granted the application for his extradition in accordance with the provisions of the Extradition Act, CAP E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The extradition is being viewed as another significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international collaboration in combating cybercrime, financial fraud, and other organised transnational crimes.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Force to global security cooperation, the Nigeria Police said it would continue to leverage intelligence-led policing, international partnerships, and INTERPOL tools to ensure that criminal networks operating across borders are dismantled and brought to justice.
The Force further assured both local and international partners of its determination to sustain collaboration to curb cyber-enabled crimes and protecting the integrity of global financial systems.
