Nigerian police extradite Samuel Ugberease to U.S. over $1.5 million romance scam
The Nigeria Police Force, on Wednesday, extradited one Samuel Ugberease, also known as “Putsammy”, “Putput”, and “Sammy”, to the United States over alleged romance scams, wire fraud, and other financial crimes.
Force spokesperson, Anthony Placid, in a statement on Thursday, said the extradition of the suspect, who was based in South Africa at the time of his arrest, was carried out in conjunction with the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB).
Mr Placid said, “The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Abuja, has successfully extradited one Samuel Ugberease, also known as ‘Putsammy’, ‘Putput’, and ‘Sammy’, to the United States of America to face charges bordering on online romance scam, wire fraud, and related financial crimes.
“The suspect, who was based in South Africa prior to his arrest, was extradited on Wednesday, 14th May 2026, following the conclusion of extradition proceedings and coordinated engagements between Nigerian and United States law enforcement authorities.
“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.”
Mr Placid said the syndicate allegedly 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.
He stated that, “Further investigations established that proceeds of the fraud were laundered through multiple bank accounts used to receive, process, and conceal illicit funds. In one of the reported cases, the suspect was linked to the defrauding of a victim of over $1.5m.
“The fugitive was initially arrested by operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on 14th December 2025 upon his arrival from South Africa, following an INTERPOL Red Notice issued by authorities in the United States.”
He stated that extradition proceedings were subsequently instituted and granted by the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, in accordance with the Extradition Act, Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
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