Nigeria Police Force has extradited a suspected cyber fraudster, Samuel Ugberease, popularly known as “Putsammy,” “Putput,” and “Sammy,” to the United States over allegations of online romance scams, wire fraud, and money laundering.
The extradition was carried out on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja following coordinated efforts between Nigerian and United States law enforcement agencies.
In a statement issued by Anthony Placid, the Police said the suspect had been based in South Africa before his arrest and was wanted by authorities in the United States over alleged transnational financial crimes.
According to the statement, investigations revealed that between 2014 and 2018, Ugberease and his accomplices operated a criminal syndicate that targeted women in the United States, especially within the Eastern District of North Carolina, using fake online identities and dating profiles.
The police said the syndicate allegedly manipulated victims into emotional relationships before deceiving them into sending huge amounts of money under false pretences and fabricated emergencies.
Further investigations reportedly showed that the proceeds of the fraud were laundered through several bank accounts used to receive and conceal illicit funds.
“In one of the reported cases, the suspect was linked to the defrauding of a victim of over One Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($1.5 million USD),” the statement noted.
The suspect was initially arrested by INTERPOL operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on December 14, 2025, upon his arrival from South Africa, following an INTERPOL Red Notice issued by US authorities.
The police disclosed that extradition proceedings were subsequently initiated at the Federal High Court in Lagos, which approved the application in line with the provisions of Nigeria’s Extradition Act.
The Force reaffirmed its commitment to combating cybercrime and transnational organised crimes through intelligence-led policing and international collaboration.
“The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to leveraging INTERPOL tools, international partnerships, and intelligence-led policing to combat cybercrime, financial fraud, and other transnational organised criminal activities,” the statement added.
