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. He used to buy beer for everyone around.. This is when his Instagram posts and crimes went to another level. Forgot your password? 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. Damn, Abbas said in a text to a fellow scammer at the time in messages obtained by the FBI. He has previously denied having any criminal involvement with Abbas and has not responded to the BBCs requests for comment. In that email the scammers posing as a supplier awaiting payment typically say theyve switched banks, so the payment will need to be wired to a different account; the details for which they will provide. But di viral tori bin claim say 'US prosecutors on Wednesday 16 March 2022 submit court documents wey show say im committed fraud and launder over $400k from behind bars.'. To view this content choose accept and continue. Ramon Abbas, 40, also was ordered by a federal judge to The Latest. S2.3 Hushpuppi A social media influencer is laundering cash for the hackers to fund his luxury lifestyle 39 mins 27 Mar 2023 S2.2 Big Boss The hackers turn to the dark web. One member threatened to blow the whole scam wide open as he was unhappy about the money he was getting. 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. 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. Lazarus, S., Button, M., & Adogame, A. Hushpuppi is believed to have defrauded his victims, including a Qatari businessman and English football club, to the tune of $24 million. [1] He was sentenced in the United States to 11 years for conspiracy to launder money obtained from business email compromise frauds and other scams, including schemes that defrauded a US law firm of about $40 million, illegally transferred $14.7 million from a foreign financial institution, and targeted to steal $124 million from an English Premier League club. A spokesman for the US LOS ANGELES A Nigerian social media influencer who called himself Ray Hushpuppi and flaunted a lavish lifestyle fueled by his efforts to launder millions of stolen dollars was sentenced Monday in Los Angeles to more than 11 years in federal prison. They see another young person who was once like them become that great. In May 2019, Abbas was tasked with setting up a bank account in Mexico. Jon Shilland, fraud lead with the UK's National Crime Agency, says it can be difficult tracking down criminal networks based in multiple jurisdictions. 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. The 37-year-old began his career in Oworonshoki, a poor coastal area in the north-east of Lagos, Nigerias commercial capital. [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. Social media influencer Hushpuppi sentenced to 11 years in prison over money laundering conspiracy. "Damn," Abbas said in a text to a fellow scammer at the time in messages obtained by the FBI. Instagram Influencer, Nigerian Scammer Indicted for Stealing Over $1.1 Million Cardinal News News Ticker Male, Age 30, Accused of Stabbing, Killing His Mother in House They Shared in South Elgin CRIME BLOG C [30] The Police chief was further implicated after his conversation with Hushpuppi was released. A fact known all too well by Dubai-based lawyer Barney Almazar. Hushpuppi is facing criminal charges in the United States for conspiracy to launder money obtained from business email compromise frauds and other scams, including schemes that defrauded a US law firm of about $40 million, illegally transferred $14.7 million from a foreign financial institution, and targeted to steal $124 million from an English 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. The social media platform told the BBC that it had carried out an investigation into his account - but had decided not to close it. "I have seen parents who have taken their children to learn how to become Yahoo Boys. Hushpuppi alleges bribing DCP Abba 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. EXCLUSIVE: Again, U. S. court postpones sentencing of 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. Hushpuppi's close associate, Mompha once revealed that his dad is still a cab driver in Lagos. Abigail Mamo, chief executive of the Maltese chamber of small and medium enterprises, says the heist plunged the holiday island into "chaos". None of the Premiership clubs would confirm whether or not they were the intended victim. 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. "There was no extradition, there were no legal steps taken, there were no court documents filed, it was simply a call to the FBI. The United Arab Emirates has no extradition treaty with the United States but Dubai police said they had been extradited to the US. File on 4's Hush Money: The Rise and Fall of an International Fraudster is available on BBC Sounds. Sorry, no headlines or news topics were found. Listen to the latest episodes of The Lazarus Heist on BBC Sounds. Despite him pleading guilty in April to money laundering, Hushpuppi's social media is still live and attracting followers. He texted his contact - Nigerian police officer Abba Kyari - saying: "I want him to go through serious beating of his life. A complaint against him filed in court accuses Mr Abbas of leading a transnational network of cybercriminals whose targets included a US law firm, a foreign bank and an English Premier League football club. You can unsubscribe whenever you want. He would not want to ruin his credibility and status rather than stay here and face these allegations. Notorious and disgraced Internet fraudster, Olalekan Jacob Ponle, also known as Woodberry, has pleaded guilty to internet fraud. Hushpuppi To see how, and to learn how to control cookies, Despite himpleading guilty in April to money laundering, Hushpuppis social media is still live and attracting followers. Some of it was laundered via the purchase of a watch worth a staggering $230,000. Please click 'Create Account and Subscribe' to create a new account and subscribe to our email alerts. File on 4's Hush Money: The Rise and Fall of an International Fraudster is available on BBC Sounds. "The scam was very sophisticated. 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Lazarus, S., & Button, M. (2022). TittlePress "If Dubai wanted to expel him, they should have expelled him back to Nigeria. Once a relationship is established via a false identity, romance scammers wheedle money from their online lovers. "Yahoo Boys" are romance scammers who took their name from the first free email available in Nigeria. Don't miss out! [29] The following day, a US Court granted an FBI warrant to arrest Abba Kyari. Stay informed. 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. You can unsubscribe whenever you want. [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. We don't have an account for this email address. 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.". By clicking "OK" or continuing to use this site, you agree that we may collect and use your personal data and set [8] He also holds a passport from St Kitts and Nevis, which was fraudulently obtained through a sham marriage to a St. Kitts and Nevis citizen. The Guardian Nigeria Newspaper brings you the latest headlines, opinions, political news, business reports and international news. "They came up with the idea of stealing identities. 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 "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. Webfunny ways to say home run grassroots elite basketball Menu . I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.. 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. Show more Download Choose your file Higher quality (128kbps) For pretrial, Ramon Abass aka Hushpuppi don bin plead not guilty to di four counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. But the Premiership scam fell apart when the UK banks refused to pay into the Mexican account. It is alleged that Mr Kyari then falsely arrested and detained the middleman for a month in a squalid Nigerian cell. WebBreaking news headlines about Hushpuppi, linking to 1,000s of sources around the world, on NewsNow: the one-stop shop for breaking news. "I have seen parents who have taken their children to learn how to become Yahoo Boys. Hushpuppi latest news: US justice department dismiss Hushpuppi $400 fraud in prison tori 17 March 2022 Instagram/@hushpuppi Ramon Olorunwa Abbas aka By his own admission, during just an 18-month period defendant conspired to launder over $300 million, prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum, although they said much of the intended loss did not ultimately materialize.. "His clients understand that he was victimised," Mr Almazar explains. It did not name the institution by name but a bank in Malta reported losing the same sum to hackers that same month. They came up with the idea of stealing identities. 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. 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. Available for over a year 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. 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. In May 2019, Abbas was tasked with setting up a bank account in Mexico. They see another young person who was once like them become that great. Ramon Olorunwa Abbas aka Hushpuppi reported $400,000 fraud inside US prison no be true. Instagram star hushpuppi has been charged with conspiracy to commit a massive money laundering scheme by the Department of Justice. Experts don bin tell BBC Pidgin say if court find [20][21] According to the affidavit Abbas had provided a co-conspirator with two bank accounts in Europe anticipating the receipt of $5.6 million each of the fraudulently obtained funds. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The scams were to be carried out via Business Email Compromise (BEC). This article contains content provided by Instagram. To view this content choose accept and continue. [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. But soon, the cracks between the gang started to show. We contacted Instagram to ask why his [22] U.S. authorities also accused him of aiding North Korean hackers in money laundering.[23]. But Hushpuppi's lawyer says his client earned his money by monetising his large social media presence. It was to receive 100m from a Premier League Football Club, and 200m from a UK firm. He has spent his life in the UAE. News 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. This article contains content provided by Instagram. [36] The study concludes that the process by which some actions are interpreted as a crime compared to others is a moral enterprise. 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. Use at least 8 characters, an uppercase and a lowercase letter, and a number or symbol. The reply shows the next heist was being planned: "Next one is in few weeks; will let you know when it's ready. The Chicago defence lawyer's argument that Hushpuppi was paid by designer brands for promotion has set the stage for what promises to be a long trial in American courts. 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. They see another young person who was once like them become that great. WebHushpuppis Ally, Woodberry Pleads Guilty To Yahoo Yahoo, To Forfeit $8 Million, Cars, Watches, Others. Is climate change killing Australian wine? Webfunny ways to say home run grassroots elite basketball Menu . To view this content choose accept and continue. Abbas was one of the most prolific money launderers in the world, Don Alway, assistant director in charge of the FBIs Los Angeles office, said in the statement. 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. Once a relationship is established via a false identity, romance scammers wheedle money from their online lovers. "His clients understand that he was victimised," Mr Almazar explains. Neither are named in the court documents. The 37-year-old, who was arrested by the FBI in a Los Angeles raid, has pleaded guilty to money laundering. Hushpuppi latest news: US justice department dismiss [18], The affidavit also accused Abbas and a co-conspirator of conspiring to launder funds intended to be stolen through fraudulent wire transfers from a 'foreign financial institution' in which fraudulent wire transfers, totalling approximately US$14.7 million, were sent to bank accounts around the world in February 2019. Shopping trolleys filled with goods were abandoned at checkouts as payment systems shut down. BEC fraud is a huge issue across the world. And then with that identity theft, they went into dating [scams]," explains Dr Adedeji Oyenuga, a cybercrime expert at Lagos State University. 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. 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. But everyone knew the source of his mysterious wealth cybercrime; he was a Yahoo, Seye says. We received calls from our members telling us they were sending money using Bank of Vallettas platform to their foreign suppliers, says Ms Mamo. Hushpuppi It is alleged that Mr Kyari then falsely arrested and detained the middleman for a month in a squalid Nigerian cell. He texted his contact - Nigerian police officer Abba Kyari - saying: "I want him to go through serious beating of his life. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. As he grew older, Seye says, Abbas liked to splash his cash: "He was generous. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? US Department of Justice dismiss di report on Thursday wen dem react to di viral tori. "Brother I can't send from UK to Mexico," Abbas's sidekick messaged him. Little did they know that his lavish lifestyle was funded through a complex web of cyber-heists. July 5, 2022. Too bad they caught on, or it would have been a nice pay out.". BBC The 37-year-old began his career in Oworonshoki, a poor coastal area in the north-east of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital.
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