hushpuppi latest news bbc
This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. Na on top accuse say im dey plan to tiff plenty millions of dollars through business email compromise (BEC), yahoo-yahoo and oda mago-mago. Di social media influencer don dey detention for almost two years now. Recall that Hushpuppis sentence had been moved three times since getting convicted in 2021. Show more Download Choose your file Higher quality (128kbps) The U. S. Central District Court in California has again postponed the sentencing of a Nigerian Instagram celebrity, Abbas, under the name Ray Hushpuppi, had more than 2 million Instagram followers before he was arrested in 2020 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. But everyone knew the source of his mysterious wealth - cybercrime; he was a "Yahoo", Seye says. It is the latest high-profile fraud case involving a Nigerian national in the United States but his lawyer says the US had no authority to transport him from Dubai. In May 2019, Abbas was tasked with setting up a bank account in Mexico. Instagram star hushpuppi has been charged with conspiracy to commit a massive money laundering scheme by the Department of Justice. He was sentenced to nearly 12 years in federal prison and was ordered to pay more than $30 million in restitution. The BBC has used newly available court documents to uncover the man behind cyber heists that have cost his victims millions, from his humble beginnings as a Yahoo Boy hustler in Nigeria to a so-called Billionaire Gucci Master living a life of luxury in Dubai before his arrest last year. 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[36], Related to the above, another study on public opinion on Twitter revealed significant discrepancies between Nigeria's northern and southern regions regarding online fraudsters' arrests, convictions, and sentencing. The BBC has used newly available court documents to uncover the man behind cyber heists that have cost his victims millions, from his humble beginnings as a "Yahoo Boy" hustler in Nigeria to a so-called "Billionaire Gucci Master" living a life of luxury in Dubai before his arrest last year. For July 2020, di UAE later extradite Hushpuppi go Chicago for America under FBI special agents custody wia dem first carry am go court. One member threatened to blow the whole scam wide open as he was unhappy about the money he was getting. "But they also have to cover their losses, so right now he doesn't know how he can get back to the UAE. 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. A lawyer for Hushpuppi (pictured) says the US had no authority to transport him from Dubai. For pretrial, Ramon Abass aka Hushpuppi don bin plead not guilty to di four counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. It is alleged that Mr Kyari then falsely arrested and detained the middleman for a month in a squalid Nigerian cell. Is climate change killing Australian wine? 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. Ghaleb Alaumary, 37, of Mississauga in Ontario, Canada, was charged separately. Please try different keywords. [38][39] A short documentary about the life of Hushpuppi till his arrest has been released by both Bloomberg[40] and BBC Africa.[41]. But soon, the cracks between the gang started to show. Na U.S. law firm, one foreign bank and one English Premier League club be im target. Mr Almazar says shame prevents many more of Hushpuppi's victims coming forward. [7] Though the affidavit did not name any bank, according to Forbes, the date of the attack and amount mentioned in the affidavit matched that of the attack on Malta's Bank of Valletta in February 2019. This article contains content provided by Instagram. The United Arab Emirates has no extradition treaty with the United States but Dubai police said they had been extradited to the US. De way wey we de take go external link. A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. 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. "We cannot say with 100% certainty that Hushpuppi is behind it," Mr Almazar says. According to court documents in California, he has cost victims 17m in total. Abigail Mamo, chief executive of the Maltese chamber of small and medium enterprises, says the heist plunged the holiday island into "chaos". [36], Therefore, the linguistic juxtapositions of "Hushpuppi" and "Mr. Ibrahim Magu" by Twitter users serve as exonerative social media devices more broadly and have real-life consequences. Hushpuppi's former home, 9 Ogunyomi Street, in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos, Hushpuppi's Instagram posts about his luxurious lifestyle attracted hundreds of thousands of likes, Investigators say it is difficult to track down scammers when those in a network are based all over the world. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. United Arab Emirates security agencies bin arrest Hushpuppi wey dey live for Dubai for June 2020. You may want to read Metas Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. One member threatened to blow the whole scam wide open as he was unhappy about the money he was getting. S2.3 Hushpuppi. And now Mr Kyari too is wanted in the US on charges of fraud, money laundering and identity theft. The Latest. "Damn," Abbas said in a text to a fellow scammer at the time in messages obtained by the FBI. On Instagram, he dropped the "Billionaire Gucci Master" moniker for "Real Estate Developer" about eight months before his arrest and subsequent transfer to the US to stand trial. 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. 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. To view this content choose accept and continue. Professionals were victimised. 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. [16] Many viewed the song as a prophetic warning that was fulfilled with his arrest. Only a single letter or number will be different. Breaking news: an unexpected interview. November 8, 2022. "The scam was very sophisticated. On Instagram, he dropped the "Billionaire Gucci Master" moniker for "Real Estate Developer" about eight months before his arrest and subsequent transfer to the US to stand trial. They're sometimes called 419 scams, after the relevant article in the Nigerian Criminal Code. A United States District Court in California has fixed July 27 as new date for the trial of the Nigerian Instagram celebrity facing fraud charges, Ramon Abass, also Dr Oyenuga says Hushpuppis influence endures as he is still regarded as a role model: Were in a country where a lot of young people are suffering. "We don check wit di FBI agent wey supposedly author di document, and im confam say na fake.". 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. Assignment reveals the inside story of Ramon Abbas, one of a new breed of global cyber-fraudsters. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. "[3] Prosecutors cited his "significant" financial assets, "deep ties to foreign countries" and a lack of ties to the United States. Exclusive: Woodberry, Hushpuppis ally, pleads guilty to fraud, Hushpuppis ally, Woodberry pleads guilty to fraud charge in US, Hushpuppis ally, Woodberry, pleads guilty to internet fraud, forfeits $8m, others, Hushpuppis close ally Woodberry pleads guilty, forfeits $8m, luxury Dubai assets, Posh Dubai assets Hushpuppis ally, Woodberry, is to forfeit to US govt, Hushpuppis colleague Woodberry pleads guilty to internet fraud, to forfeit Dubai assets, return $8m to victims. 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 suppliers. An existing account was found for this email address. The bank did not respond to a request for comment. He texted his contact - Nigerian police officer Abba Kyari - saying: "I want him to go through serious beating of his life. You may want to read Metas Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. Like many Yahoo Boys, Abbas broadened his criminal horizons. In February 2019, he attempted to launder 13m euros (11m; $15m) stolen by a gang of North Korean hackers from the Maltese Bank of Valletta. File on 4 & BBC Africa Ramon Abbas - known to his 2.5 million Instagram followers as Hushpuppi - is considered by the FBI to be one of the world's most high He is a celebrity. WebHushpuppis Ally, Woodberry Pleads Guilty To Yahoo Yahoo, To Forfeit $8 Million, Cars, Watches, Others. Neither are named in the court documents. [33] On 8 November 2022, Hushpuppi was sentenced to over 11 years (135 months) in a federal prison. Stay informed. [32], On 19 September 2022, Judge Otis Wright delayed Hushpuppi's sentencing to 3 November 2022. BEC fraud is a huge issue across the world. 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. When he was allowed 15 minutes in a virtual breakout room to confer with Mr Ponle, he returned to request a new date for the hearing. Too bad they caught on, or it would have been a nice pay out.. 2023 BBC. Get the day's top headlines delivered to your inbox. Read about our approach to external linking. Investigators noted the "substantial wealth" on display on hushpuppi's account, where he poses with supercars, shopping bags and in luxury locations. No comments. It is alleged that Mr Kyari then falsely arrested and detained the middleman for a month in a squalid Nigerian cell. Hushpuppi is currently being held in the United States for financial offences bordering on wire fraud to which he has pleaded guilty and faces a 20-year jail term if convicted. IE 11 is not supported. The reply shows the next heist was being planned: "Next one is in few weeks; will let you know when it's ready. Ramon Olorunwa Abbas - known to his 2.5 million Instagram followers as Ray Hushpuppi - and another cyber-heist suspect Olalekan Jacob Ponle (aka Mr Woodberry) were arrested in Dubai, where they lived, in June. 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. "He is a social media influencer with millions of followers, with millions of people that respect and loved him, and he loved them, and that's what he did. 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. The social media platform told the BBC that it had carried out an investigation into his account but had decided not to close it. A spokesman for the US Department of Justice told the BBC that Hushpuppi was expelled from Dubai and was not extradited. His family are still in the UAE. Click to get a sign-in link sent to your email. Copyright 1997 - 2023 NewsNow Publishing Limited. It was to receive 100m from a Premier League Football Club, and 200m from a UK firm. "Afta we don look di document wey dey inside di recent media accounts, di U.S. Attorney Office for Los Angeles, wey file di case against Mr. Abbas, no filed any such document. The United Arab Emirates has no extradition treaty with the United States but Dubai police said they had been extradited to the US. WebThe big boy Hushpuppi was humbled when he was handcuffed just like a petty criminal, his designers and latest cars could do nothing. Court documents allege Abbass crimes cost victims almost $24m in total. Many went to Malaysia - and Abbas followed them, ending up in Kuala Lumpur around 2014, then Dubai in 2017. Reading Time: 4 mins read. According to the affidavit[24] other communications between Abbas and one of his co-conspirators indicated that the two had conspired to "launder tens, and at times hundreds, of millions of dollars that were proceeds of other fraudulent schemes and computer intrusions, including a fraudulent scheme to steal 100 million ($124 million) from an English Premier League football club. The accounts clerk is fooled into thinking it is a legitimate request from the supplier - and, with a single click of a mouse, vast sums of money are lost. "We cannot say with 100% certainty that Hushpuppi is behind it," Mr Almazar says. Sorry, no headlines or news topics were found. 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. The 37-year-old began his career in Oworonshoki, a poor coastal area in the north-east of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital. "OMG. His family are still in the UAE. murders, a place with a murky past. So when you see someone who is rich, you will pray to God to give you his kind of wealth., BBCs detailed report on Hushpuppi the Instagram influencer and international fraudster, he attempted to launder 13m euros (11m; $15m) stolen by a gang of North Korean hackers from the Maltese Bank of Valletta, pleading guilty in April to money laundering. That is the real story here.". 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. [36] The manifestation of linguistic maneuvering, "advantageous comparison" as a preferred technique of choice by Twitter users, exposes their total trivialization of online fraudsters' economic actions, e.g., Huspuppi. 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. This article contains content provided by Instagram. Ramon Abbas, 40, also was ordered by a federal judge to Experts don bin tell BBC Pidgin say if court find Tweets and reactions: revealing the geographies of cybercrime perpetrators and the North-South divide. Antoine Verglas Opens Up About His Journey To Becoming A Fashion Photographer. His father was a taxi driver. ", Seye says everyone knows Hushpuppi has committed a crime, but it is understandable: "No-one prays to be poor. He texted his contact Nigerian police officer Abba Kyari saying: I want him to go through serious beating of his life. They see another young person who was once like them become that great. Their foreign suppliers did not receive the money Were talking about thousands of euros.. It was to receive 100m from a Premier League Football Club, and 200m from a UK firm. "Brother I can't send from UK to Mexico," Abbas's sidekick messaged him. Ramon Abbas - known to his 2.5 million Instagram followers as Hushpuppi - is considered by the FBI to be one of the world's most high-profile fraudsters and faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years in the US after pleading guilty to money laundering. This is when his Instagram posts - and crimes - went to another level. April 26, 2023 Hushpuppi: Notorious Nigerian fraudster jailed for 11 years in US BBCView Full coverage on Google News Sources 1/ by newsdesk. Jon Shilland, fraud lead with the UK's National Crime Agency, says it can be difficult tracking down criminal networks based in multiple jurisdictions. Mr Pissetzky says the case could last several months, even longer than a year. grassroots elite basketball ; why does ted lasso have a southern accent . ; The 37-year-old, who was arrested by the FBI in a Los Angeles raid, has pleaded guilty to money laundering. We received calls from our members telling us they were sending money using Bank of Vallettas platform to their foreign suppliers, says Ms Mamo. [17], Upon his arrival in the United States on 3 July 2020, he was accused of conspiring to launder 'hundreds of millions of dollars'. Homepage. Too bad they caught on, or it would have been a nice pay out.". The complaint against him says one Chicago-based company "was defrauded into sending wire transfers totalling $15.2m". 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. [34], Public opinion on social media offers opportunities to explore contestations between diverse viewpoints. We will not share your email address with any third parties. Hushpuppi alleges bribing DCP Abba Kyari to arrest co-fraudster in $1.1m scam By Motunrayo on Thursday, July 29, 2021 Hushpuppi, the embattled Nigerian socialite, alleged that he bribed Abba Kyari, a deputy commissioner of police (DCP), to arrest a co-fraudster, according to US court documents. This is when his Instagram posts - and crimes - went to another level. 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. "They came up with the idea of stealing identities. So when you see someone who is rich, you will pray to God to give you his kind of wealth.". A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. In February 2019,he attempted to launder 13m euros (11m; $15m) stolen by a gang of North Korean hackers from the Maltese Bank of Valletta. De external site no concern BBC. Once a relationship is established via a false identity, romance scammers wheedle money from their online lovers. His family are still in the UAE. Latest News . But everyone knew the source of his mysterious wealth cybercrime; he was a Yahoo, Seye says. Some are hesitant to admit what has happened.. 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. See all episodes from The Documentary Podcast, A window into our world - investigating, exploring and telling stories from everywhere. Is climate change killing Australian wine? [36] By implication, if what was once morally condemnable becomes a source of valuation, it becomes a source of valuation in its consequences in society. "Yahoo Boys" are romance scammers who took their name from the first free email available in Nigeria. Ramon Abbas - better known as Hushpuppi to his millions of followers - has pleaded guilty to money laundering in a US court.The Nigerian social media influencer was famous for his extravagant lifestyle, showing off his designer clothing, luxury holidays, and expensive cars to 2.5million Instagram followers and 1.3 million Snapchat subscribers.But unknown to his fans, his lifestyle was funded by cybercrime.Originally from humble beginnings in Lagos, the so-called 'billionaire Gucci master' living a life of luxury in Dubai is now facing a 20-year jail sentence in the USA - and the FBI have dubbed him one of the world's most high-profile money launderers.Reporter: Princess AbumereProducer: Helen CliftonFilmed and edited: Joshua AkinyemiAnimations: Mayowa AlabiSubscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica\rWebsite: https://www.bbc.com/africa\rFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/\rTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/\rInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/ 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. [14] [37] The study concludes that colonial legacies contributed to the North-South divide regarding online fraud patterns in Nigeria. Mr Almazar says shame prevents many more of Hushpuppis victims coming forward. One UK victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, says he lost 500,000, has been forced to leave the UAE - and is himself facing criminal proceedings in Dubai because of the debt he has incurred as a result of the fraud. 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 Hushpuppis home in Dubai].. 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. Abbas is also accused of committing fraud in Nigeria as he is also wanted by Nigeria's financial crime police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.[25]. Shopping trolleys filled with goods were abandoned at checkouts as payment systems shut down. The 37-year-old began his career in Oworonshoki, a poor coastal area in the north-east of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital. A notorious Instagram influencer from Nigeria has been jailed for more than 11 years in the US for his role in an international fraud syndicate. This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. Court documents allege Abbas's crimes cost victims almost $24m in total. According to the FBI, in 2020 BEC fraud resulted in losses of $1.8bn. Notorious and disgraced Internet fraudster, Olalekan Jacob Ponle, also "Yahoo Boys" are romance scammers who took their name from the first free email available in Nigeria. The purported messages allege that Hushpuppi paid 8m naira ($19,000; 14,000) into accounts linked to the Nigerian police whose details were provided by Mr Kyari, to detain Mr Chibuzor. He used to buy beer for everyone around.". Damn, Abbas said in a text to a fellow scammer at the time in messages obtained by the FBI. The bank said it managed to recover 10m euros. Only a single letter or number will be different. The social media platform told the BBC that it had carried out an investigation into his account - but had decided not to close it. We will not share your email address with any third parties. The Guardian Nigeria Newspaper brings you the latest headlines, opinions, political news, business reports and international news. [36] The study concludes that the process by which some actions are interpreted as a crime compared to others is a moral enterprise. Recall that the FBI is prosecuting Ramon Abbas, a.k.a. Webfunny ways to say home run grassroots elite basketball Menu . Now, Assignment unmasks Ramon Abbas, revealing a complicated, sometimes ruthless character driven by a thirst for wealth and celebrity status. Forgot your password? Read about our approach to external linking. He used to buy beer for everyone around.". [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. Snared by the FBI in 2020, Abbas is better known as Instagram influencer Hushpuppi, who flaunted a life of designer clothes, private jets and penthouse apartments to millions of followers. He has spent his life in the UAE. In May 2019, Abbas was tasked with setting up a bank account in Mexico. "I have seen parents who have taken their children to learn how to become Yahoo Boys. I've never heard of anything like that. But Hushpuppi's lawyer says his client earned his money by monetising his large social media presence. He fears that he might get apprehended at immigration immediately.. Too bad they caught on, or it would have been a nice pay out.". "Mr Ponle, are you there?" Heliyon, 8(11), e11142. 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, He apologised to his family members for bringing them shame while commending the FBI for doing a thorough job while bringing him to justice. And now Mr Kyari too is wanted in the US on charges of fraud, money laundering and identity theft. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. He did not answer how he ended up in US custody. [37], In November 2022, Curtis James Jackson III, a.k.a, 50 Cent, announced his plan on Instagram to shoot a television series on the life of Hushpuppi, including his fraudulent career path and sentencing. Some are hesitant to admit what has happened.". Ramon Olorunwa Abbas aka Hushpuppi reported $400,000 fraud inside US prison no be true. We contacted Instagram to ask why his Ramon Olorunwa Abbas (born 11 October 1982), commonly known as Hushpuppi, Hush, or Ray Hushpuppi is a Nigerian former Instagram influencer and convicted felon. Fashion; by newsdesk. But they also have to cover their losses, so right now he doesnt know how he can get back to the UAE. You may want to read Metas Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting.
hushpuppi latest news bbc