The Nigeria Police Force has extradited a suspected cyber fraudster, Samuel Ugberease, popularly known as “Putsammy,” to the United States over alleged involvement in a multi-million-dollar online romance scam targeting American victims.
Ugberease, also known as “Putput” and “Sammy,” was extradited on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, following the conclusion of extradition proceedings and coordinated engagements between Nigerian and United States law enforcement authorities.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, the suspect, who was based in South Africa prior to his arrest, allegedly operated a criminal syndicate involved in online romance scams and wire fraud between 2014 and 2018.
The syndicate was said to have targeted female victims in the United States, particularly within the Eastern District of North Carolina, using fake online identities and fraudulent dating profiles to lure victims into fictitious emotional relationships before manipulating them into sending money under false pretences.
Placid, said the suspect and his accomplices deployed sophisticated online deception tactics to exploit unsuspecting victims emotionally and financially.
“The investigations revealed that the suspect and members of his criminal network created fake online identities and dating profiles to establish fraudulent emotional connections with victims,” he said.
“After gaining the trust of the victims, they manipulated them into transferring huge sums of money through fabricated emergencies, false business claims, and other deceptive narratives.”
He disclosed that proceeds of the alleged fraud were subsequently laundered through multiple bank accounts used to receive, process, and conceal illicit funds.
“In one of the reported cases, the suspect was directly linked to the defrauding of a victim of over One Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($1.5 million),” Placid stated.
He further explained that the suspect was initially apprehended by INTERPOL operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on December 14, 2025, upon his arrival from South Africa.
“The arrest followed an INTERPOL Red Notice issued by authorities in the United States seeking his apprehension for prosecution over offences bordering on online romance scam, wire fraud, and related financial crimes,” he added.
According to the police spokesman, extradition proceedings were subsequently initiated before the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, which granted the application for the suspect’s extradition in line with the provisions of the Extradition Act, CAP E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Placid said the successful extradition underscores the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to tackling transnational organised crimes through intelligence-driven policing and international collaboration.
“This extradition demonstrates the unwavering resolve of the Nigeria Police Force to combat cybercrime, financial fraud, and other forms of transnational organised criminality,” he said.
“The Force remains committed to leveraging INTERPOL platforms, strategic global partnerships, and advanced investigative tools to ensure that criminal elements exploiting cyberspace are identified, apprehended, and brought to justice.”
He assured both local and international partners of the continued cooperation of the Nigeria Police Force in advancing global security and strengthening collaborative law enforcement efforts against cyber-enabled crimes.
“The Nigeria Police Force will continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies to disrupt criminal networks, recover illicit proceeds, and safeguard the integrity of cyberspace for legitimate users across the world,” Placid added.
