The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has secured the arrest and extradition of a Nigerian national, Samuel Ugberaese, to the United States over alleged involvement in international internet romance scams.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the United States Embassy in Abuja, citing information from the U.S. Department of Justice.
According to the statement, Ugberaese and his alleged accomplices used romance scam tactics, including false promises and fabricated stories, to deceive victims into sending money.
The statement alleged that Ugberaese worked with co-defendant Oluwadamilare Kolaogunbule to carry out financial transactions through a network of bank accounts.
Authorities said the accounts were allegedly registered under export companies to conceal the origin, ownership, and movement of proceeds linked to the alleged fraud.
The U.S. government further stated that Brian Myers has ordered Ugberaese to remain in custody pending trial over the alleged offences, which reportedly targeted victims in the United States and other countries.
The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Assistant Attorney Adam Hulbig through the Fraud Section of the Eastern District of North Carolina United States Attorney’s Office.
According to the statement, Ugberaese was first indicted by a U.S. federal grand jury on Jan. 22, 2021.
He is facing two counts bordering on conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years imprisonment.
The statement added that the Nigeria Police Force, INTERPOL, the Nigerian Ministry of Justice, the Attorney General’s Office, and the South African Police Service assisted in the arrest and extradition process.
Other agencies involved include the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Abuja, and the U.S. Department of State.