Some are hesitant to admit what has happened.. He texted his contact - Nigerian police officer Abba Kyari - saying: "I want him to go through serious beating of his life. It is alleged that Mr Kyari then falsely arrested and detained the middleman for a month in a squalid Nigerian cell. Ramon Abbas, 40, also was ordered by a federal judge to pay $1.7 million in restitution to two fraud victims, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice. Hushpuppi latest news: US justice department dismiss Hushpuppi $400 fraud in prison tori 17 March 2022 Instagram/@hushpuppi Ramon Olorunwa Abbas aka And now Mr Kyari too is wanted in the US on charges of fraud, money laundering and identity theft. BEC fraud is a huge issue across the world. The social media platform told the BBC that it had carried out an investigation into his account - but had decided not to close it. The social media platform told the BBC that it had carried out an investigation into his account - but had decided not to close it. Hushpuppi - the Instagram influencer and international fraudster Hushpuppi The reply shows the next heist was being planned: Next one is in few weeks; will let you know when its ready. Ramon Abbas could face up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to money laundering in July 2021. Abigail Mamo, chief executive of the Maltese chamber of small and medium enterprises, says the heist plunged the holiday island into chaos. Show more Download Choose your file Higher quality (128kbps) One member threatened to blow the whole scam wide open as he was unhappy about the money he was getting. We live in a world that loves youth and beauty and is afraid of In a statement about Mr Abbas' initial court appearance, the DoJ said "FBI special agents earlier this week obtained custody of Abbas and brought him to the United States" without giving any further details. In today's society, that's a business," he said. To view this content choose accept and continue. The United Arab Emirates has no extradition treaty with the United States but Dubai police said they had been extradited to the US. He has previously denied having any criminal involvement with Abbas - and has not responded to the BBC's requests for comment. But Hushpuppi's lawyer says his client earned his money by monetising his large social media presence. "We cannot say with 100% certainty that Hushpuppi is behind it," Mr Almazar says. A Nigerian man accused of multimillion-dollar fraud and money laundering by the United States was kidnapped by the FBI from Dubai, his lawyer says. "We received calls from our members telling us they were sending money using Bank of Valletta's platform to their foreign suppliers," says Ms Mamo. Shopping trolleys filled with goods were abandoned at checkouts as payment systems shut down. So when you see someone who is rich, you will pray to God to give you his kind of wealth.". Between December 2019 and February 2020, Abbas and a gang of alleged middlemen in Kenya, Nigeria and the US groomed and conned the victim out of more than a million dollars. Naija News recalls Popular internet fraudster, Ramon Abbass also known as Hushpuppi, in an attempt to reduce his jail sentence opened up about his fraudulent career. I've never heard of anything like that. WebIn a final appeal to Judge Otis Wright ahead of his scheduled sentencing on 19 September 2022, Hushpuppi wrote a personal letter to the court narrating his source of wealth, Many went to Malaysia and Abbas followed them, ending up in Kuala Lumpur around 2014, then Dubai in 2017. To see how, and to learn how to control cookies, Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? [9], On the night his apartment at the Palazzo Versace was raided in an operation code-named Fox Hunt 2, Abbas was arrested alongside eleven others in six simultaneous raids. BBC News Hushpuppi Once a relationship is established via a false identity, romance scammers wheedle money from their online lovers. Recall that Hushpuppis sentence had been moved three times since getting convicted in 2021. "If Dubai wanted to expel him, they should have expelled him back to Nigeria. "His clients understand that he was victimised," Mr Almazar explains. Neither are named in the court documents. Instagram star hushpuppi has been charged with conspiracy to commit a massive money laundering scheme by the Department of Justice. Terrifyingly simple, BEC works by intercepting payments via fake emails that appear to come from an address that is almost exactly the same as the supplier's. WebBreaking news headlines about Hushpuppi, linking to 1,000s of sources around the world, on NewsNow: the one-stop shop for breaking news. BBC hushpuppi Hushpuppi: US Court go sentence Ramon Abass on Valentine's day, Hushpuppi: US Court tok why dem shift Hushpuppi sentencing from Valentine's Day, "Dem go soon get sense pass us" - AI 'godfather' warn about dia dangers as e resign from Google, Skip Recommended articles and continue reading, Senator Ekweremadu trial on alleged organ harvesting say e break modern slavery law begin for UK, We dey aim to end insecurity by 2023- Aregbesola, Convicted Nigeria actor Baba Ijesha go know fate on bail, Why court throway application to extradite Abba Kyari go US, How Hushpuppi try tiff $124m from Premier League club - FBI, How dem find di body of MasterChef host Jock Zonfrillo wey die suddenly, Court say make man wey get 550 pikin stop to dey donate sperm, Yul Edochie narrate final moment wit im late son Kambilichukwu, UK court rule on case of Nigerian wey face accuse of di death of her son by fasting, Work dey for one of di world most remote islands, BBC chairmo resign afta Boris Johnson loan kasala, Resident doctors draw ear give FG, give dem two weeks warning, Kenyan father search for wife and six pikin among dead cult members, 18 looks wey turn heads for Met Gala 2023, Tips on how you fit link your pikin mobile device to your own, 'Egypt don open dia border for Nigerians wey run from Sudan' - NIDCOM, Viral video of four men wey rape Benue girl spark cry for justice, Presido chook mouth as police recover 48 deadi body from 'starvation cult' wey pastor dey operate, Tiwa Savage plus oda stars wey go perform for King Charles Coronation Concert. 13.The story of Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, a popular Instagram influencer from Nigeria who became "one of the most prolific money launderers in the world," according to the FBI. I have seen parents who have taken their children to learn how to become Yahoo Boys., Seye says everyone knows Hushpuppi has committed a crime, but it is understandable: No-one prays to be poor. The Latest. Ramon Abbas also known as Ray Hushpuppi faces 20 years in prison after he was arrested with a staggering 29 million of cash and 13 luxury cars. Hushpuppi: the Instagram influencer and international Hushpuppi Insurance Penetration: CIIG moves to deepen awareness on policy purchase, May Day Celebration: Workers in Nkwanta rally to demand better labor conditions -Adom TV News, Access to Electricity: 12 border communities at Chereponi are connected to the national grid - Adom. This article contains content provided by Instagram. According to court documents in California, he has cost victims 17m in total. Mr Almazar says shame prevents many more of Hushpuppis victims coming forward. He has spent his life in the UAE. [3] If convicted of conspiracy to engage in money laundering, Abbas would face a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, perhaps even 20 years, after which he will be deported to his home country Nigeria. "Authorities say, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, perfected a simple internet scam and laundered millions of dollars. United Arab Emirates security agencies bin arrest Hushpuppi wey dey live for Dubai for June 2020. 3.The truly fascinating story of Doris Payne, aka "Diamond Doris," a 91-year-old jewel thief who used 22 aliases while stealing millions of dollars worth of jewelry from around the world and was arrested more than 20 times in countries like Greece, France, England, and Switzerland over the course of six decades. [10][11][12] The arrest was part of an FBI investigation that indicted him as being a "key player" in a transnational cybercrime network that provided "safe havens for stolen money around the world. Mr Almazar says shame prevents many more of Hushpuppi's victims coming forward. Huspuppi go get court sentencing for dis charges on 11 July, 2022. Stay informed. Antoine Verglas Opens Up About His Journey To Becoming A Fashion Photographer. And then with that identity theft, they went into dating [scams], explains Dr Adedeji Oyenuga, a cybercrime expert at Lagos State University. At Mondays sentencing, Abbas was sentenced to to 135 months in federal prison and was ordered to pay $922,857 in restitution to the law firm and $809,983 in restitution to the victim in Qatar. Breaking news: an unexpected interview. Like many Yahoo Boys, Abbas broadened his criminal horizons. He assumed the identity of a New York banker to entrap his victim, a Qatari businessperson seeking a $15m loan to build a new school in the Gulf state. Hushpuppi The Latest. By clicking "OK" or continuing to use this site, you agree that we may collect and use your personal data and set VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. The affidavit claims that Mr Abbas conspired to launder $14.7m (11.7m) stolen in a cyber-heist from a foreign financial institution in February 2019. But everyone knew the source of his mysterious wealth - cybercrime; he was a "Yahoo", Seye says. Latest News . Fall of an International Fraudster Hushpuppi also deny money laundering conspiracies, international money laundering and oda crime dem. July 5, 2022. Heliyon, 8(11), e11142. We contacted Instagram to ask why his November 8, 2022. Mr Abbas' lawyer Gal Pissetzky told the BBC that his client, who posts on Instagram about his extravagant lifestyle, was not a criminal and had made his money legitimately. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. "We cannot say with 100% certainty that Hushpuppi is behind it," Mr Almazar says. "But if you look at the bank accounts that police have traced, they all belong to the records obtained by the police in their raids [on Hushpuppi's home in Dubai]." Multiple sources in Malta including Times of Malta and Malta Today also repeated Forbes's claims that Hushpuppi could have been behind the attack. Sign up for a FREE NewsNow account and get our email alert of the day's top stories from the UK and around the world. He represents around 25 people - including eight UK citizens - in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), all of whom believe they are victims of one of Hushpuppi's BEC scams. And now Mr Kyari too is wanted in the US on charges of fraud, money laundering and identity theft. He apologised to his family members for bringing them shame while commending the FBI for doing a thorough job while bringing him to justice. How Hushpuppi bribed Abba Kyari, the full text of their conversation Please ensure your password has at least 8 characters, an uppercase and a lowercase letter, and a number or symbol. He texted his contact Nigerian police officer Abba Kyari saying: I want him to go through serious beating of his life. grassroots elite basketball ; why does ted lasso have a southern accent . ; Abbas's final big scam before his arrest in Dubai in June 2020 was straight-up identity theft, borrowed from the Yahoo Boy romance scams of his youth. His social media posts showed him living a life of luxury, complete with private jets, ultra-expensive cars and high-end clothes and watches. None of the Premiership clubs would confirm whether or not they were the intended victim. Na U.S. law firm, one foreign bank and one English Premier League club be im target. WebFirst broadcast: Thu 16 th Sep 2021, 02:32 on BBC World Service Australasia Latest broadcast: Thu 16 th Sep 2021, 20:06 on BBC World Service East Asia. Hushpuppi BBC Mr Pissetzky admits that he is not "100% familiar" with social media and his children consider him too old but he knows "that's how people make money today". Hushpuppi's close associate, Mompha once revealed that his dad is still a cab driver in Lagos. Hushpuppi was American social networking service, Instagram has deactivated the verified account of the embattled internet fraudster, Abbas Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi, Naija News reports. In May 2019, Abbas was tasked with setting up a bank account in Mexico. The United Arab Emirates has no extradition treaty with the United States but Dubai police said they had been extradited to the US. Court documents allege Abbass crimes cost victims almost $24m in total. (2022). "Yes, please," he replied, subdued. Now, Assignment unmasks Ramon Abbas, revealing a complicated, sometimes ruthless character driven by a thirst for wealth and celebrity status. Why you fit trust BBC News; How dem dey take use am; Yahoo Boys are romance scammers who took their name from the first free email available in Nigeria. Professionals were victimised. Hushpuppi News | Latest News About Hushpuppi on Naija News [34], Public opinion on social media offers opportunities to explore contestations between diverse viewpoints. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. cookies to improve your experience and customise advertising. Abba Kyari, who has a reputation in Nigeria as a "super cop", has been suspended and is wanted in the US, I have seen parents who have taken their children to learn how to become Yahoo Boys", On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. He is facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. One Million Dollars Per Constituency: Middle Belt Dev't Authority commissions three projects. He assumed the identity of a New York banker to entrap his victim, a Qatari businessperson seeking a $15m loan to build a new school in the Gulf state. murders, a place with a murky past. [29] The following day, a US Court granted an FBI warrant to arrest Abba Kyari. Some of it was laundered via the purchase of a watch worth a staggering $230,000. Please check you have typed it correctly. Copyright 1997 - 2023 NewsNow Publishing Limited. The rise and fall of Hushpuppi the social media influencer and global money-launderer. Fashion; by newsdesk. BEC fraud is a huge issue across the world. Homepage. Reading Time: 4 mins read. According to the FBI, in 2020 BEC fraud resulted in losses of $1.8bn. Hushpuppi is believed to have defrauded his victims, including a Qatari businessman and English football club, to the tune of $24 million. Ramon Abbas, 40, also was ordered by a federal judge to pay $1.7 million in restitution to two fraud victims, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Professionals were victimised. Marshals Service transport Hushpuppi to Los Angeles wia im trial go start. The 37-year-old, who was arrested by the FBI in a Los Angeles raid, has pleaded guilty to money laundering. [26] At Abbas' detention hearing, his lawyer, Pissetzky told the court that his client posed no flight risk because of the damage it would do to his credibility online, adding, "He is loved and respected. But soon, the cracks between the gang started to show. Some of it was laundered via the purchase of a watch worth a staggering $230,000. We don't have an account for this email address. Citing interviews with old neighbours of Abbas, TheCable.ng reported that Abbas had a reputation as a "Yahoo Yahoo boy" a local name for a cybercriminal, was not supported by his mother, had not lifted any of his old friends from poverty, and had ignored multiple warnings regarding his lifestyle. Di charges compromise, frauds and oda scams wey include plans wey target one U.S law firm, one foreign bank and one English Premier League Soccer club. But some believe the actual total could be much higher. Available for over a year This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. The song contained lyrics directed toward Abbas indirectly accusing him of being a swindler and lavishing his money on designer clothes instead of investing in profitable ventures and warning him that he would soon be caught by authorities. Subscribe to our email alert of the day's top stories from the UK and around the world. He used to buy beer for everyone around.. Many went to Malaysia - and Abbas followed them, ending up in Kuala Lumpur around 2014, then Dubai in 2017. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. his efforts to launder millions of stolen dollars. An article in Bloomberg Businessweek details his actions leading to his arrest, incarceration, and a trial on 27 July 2021, in Los Angeles. "Yahoo Boys" are romance scammers who took their name from the first free email available in Nigeria. [14] We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. In 2019, he helped launder some $14.7 million stolen by North Korean hackers from a bank in Malta, funneling the money through banks in Romania and Bulgaria, prosecutors said. I hope someday I will be inspiring more young people to join me on this path, read one Instagram post by Abbas, who pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering. You can unsubscribe whenever you want. a court deputy asked on Thursday when he dialled into the hearing from federal prison. Hushpuppi latest news: US justice department dismiss U.S. court fixes new date for Hushpuppis trial During di detention hearing, court for di Northern District of Illinois, USA rule say make di U.S. 2023 Grace Experience: Ga West Presbytery holds forum to empower women - Anigyee Kasee - Adom TV, First video of Hushpuppi in prison after sentencing pops up, Hushpuppi sentenced to 11 years in prison, Instagram explains suspension of Hushpuppis account, Hes best cleaner in prison; have mercy Hushpuppis lawyer to court, Hushpuppi allegedly caught in fresh $400k fraud while in prison, Lilwin mourns after being hit with sad news, Akufo-Addo appeals for concessionary loans from World Bank, IMF, Netizens criticise designer for poor fit of brides kente corset dress, Kwabena Agyapong wades into Frimpong Boatengs galamsey report, I was an absentee mother Otiko Djaba on why she rejected ambassador job, Sudan crisis: The football coach forced to flee Khartoum, Photos of level 300 UCC student found dead in her hostel, How a pastor embarrassed me after church due to body odour Joseph Mensah, Bride steals spotlight with her backless gown with long pleated train, Kwabena Duffuor II reacts to campaign posters with Mahama. He is not a citizen of the United States, the US had absolutely no authority to take him," his lawyer says. 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