A Nigerian, Samuel Ugberaese, has been extradited to the United States over alleged involvement in “cross-border romance scams”, could face up to 40 years in prison if found guilty.
According to a statement issued by the US government, Ugberaese was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and another count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
US authorities alleged that Ugberaese and his associates “used romance scheme techniques, including false stories and promises, to exploit and defraud victims into transferring money on their behalf.”
“The indictment further alleges that Ugberaese conspired with a co-defendant, Oluwadamilare Kolaogunbule, a naturalized U.S. citizen, to conduct financial transactions through his bank account network, including accounts registered to purported export companies, to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the criminal proceeds,” the statement read.
“Ugberaese is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.
“The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the South African Police Service, FBI’s Law Enforcement Attaché Office in Abuja, the Department of State, and the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Office of Nigeria and Nigeria Police Force – INTERPOL provided critical assistance securing the arrest and extradition of Ugberaese.”
In an earlier statement released on May 14, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) disclosed that a Federal High Court in Lagos approved the extradition of Ugberaese, popularly known as Putsammy.
Police said the suspect was arrested on December 14, 2025, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos shortly after arriving from South Africa.
“Investigations revealed that between 2014 and 2018, the suspect and his accomplices operated a criminal syndicate involved in online romance scams targeting female victims in the United States, particularly within the Eastern District of North Carolina,” the police said.
“The syndicate reportedly created fake online identities and dating profiles to establish fraudulent emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending large sums of money under false pretences and fabricated emergencies.”