The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested and extradited Nigerian national Samuel Ugberaese to the U.S. in connection with an international online romance fraud scheme.
According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Ugberaese allegedly conspired with co-defendant Oluwadamilare Kolaogunbule, a naturalized U.S. citizen, to defraud victims through elaborate romance scams. The scheme involved deceptive stories and false promises to induce victims to transfer money.
The suspects reportedly used a network of bank accounts, including those registered under fictitious export companies, to conceal and launder the proceeds of their crimes. U.S. District Judge Brian Myers has ordered Ugberaese’s detention pending trial.
Ugberaese faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, carrying a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison if convicted. The indictment by a U.S. federal grand jury dates back to January 22, 2021.
The FBI credited the successful arrest and extradition to collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force, INTERPOL, the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General’s Office, the South African Police Service, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI’s Abuja law enforcement attaché. U.S. Assistant Attorney Adam Hulbig of the EDNC USAO’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.
This case underscores ongoing international efforts to combat cross-border cybercrime targeting unsuspecting victims through internet romance schemes.
