The long arm of the law may have finally caught up with an alleged internet fraud mastermind as the Nigeria Police Force extradited a high-profile suspect to the United States over a jaw-dropping romance scam case said to involve millions of dollars.
The suspect, identified as Samuel Ugberease, popularly known by aliases such as “Putsammy,” “Putput,” and “Sammy,” has been handed over to U.S. authorities to answer serious allegations linked to online romance scams, wire fraud, and other financial crimes.
According to a statement released by the Nigeria Police through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, the extradition was completed on Wednesday after legal proceedings and close collaboration between Nigerian and American security agencies.
Investigators claim the suspect had been living in South Africa before his dramatic arrest and was allegedly part of a criminal network accused of preying on unsuspecting women in the United States.
Authorities say that between 2014 and 2018, the syndicate allegedly created fake dating profiles and online identities to emotionally manipulate victims. The group reportedly posed as romantic partners, building trust before fabricating emergencies and convincing victims to part with huge amounts of money.
What began as online “love stories” allegedly ended in devastating financial losses for several victims.
Police sources revealed that the proceeds from the suspected fraud were allegedly moved through several bank accounts in an effort to disguise and conceal the origin of the funds.
In one shocking case, investigators reportedly linked the suspect to the alleged disappearance of over $1.5 million from a victim in the United States — a staggering amount that has raised eyebrows across both countries.
Samuel’s troubles reportedly began after he landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on December 14, 2025, arriving from South Africa. Operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja swiftly arrested him following an international Red Notice reportedly issued by U.S. authorities.
Following his arrest, extradition proceedings commenced at the Federal High Court in Lagos, where the court eventually approved his transfer to the United States under Nigeria’s extradition laws.
The Nigeria Police Force says it remains committed to cracking down on cybercrime, internet fraud, and transnational criminal activities through stronger international partnerships and intelligence-led policing.
As the suspect heads to America to face trial, many Nigerians online are already reacting to the shocking allegations, with some calling it one of the biggest romance scam cases tied to a Nigerian suspect in recent times.
