The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, has extradited Samuel Ugberease, also known as “Putsammy”, “Putput”, and “Sammy”, to the United States to face charges of online romance sc@m, wire fr@ud, and related financial crimes.
According to DCP Anthony Placid, the suspect previously based in South Africa was extradited on Wednesday, 14th May 2026, after the completion of extradition proceedings and coordination between Nigerian and U.S. authorities.
Investigations showed that between 2014 and 2018, he and his syndicate allegedly ran online romance sc@ms targeting women in the U.S., especially in the Eastern District of North Carolina. They used fake identities and dating profiles to build false relationships and later defr@uded victims by requesting money for fabricated emergencies.
Proceeds were reportedly laundered through multiple bank accounts used to receive and conceal ill+cit funds. In one case, he was linked to the fr@ud of over $1.5 million.
He was earlier arrested by INTERPOL NCB Abuja at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on 14th December 2025, upon arrival from South Africa, following a U.S. INTERPOL Red Notice. He was later extradited after Federal High Court approval under the Extradition Act, CAP E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The Police reaffirmed commitment to international cooperation and intelligence-led policing against cybercrime and transnational fr@ud.
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