Nigerian authorities have extradited Samuel Ugberease, also known as “Putsammy” or “Putput,” to the United States to face charges linked to an alleged romance scam and wire fraud scheme that defrauded American victims of over $1.5 million between 2014 and 2018.
The development was shared by @NigeriaStories in a breaking news post, which included a photo of the suspect being escorted by two INTERPOL agents at a Lagos airport. The image matches details of Ugberease’s December 2025 arrest at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos upon his arrival from South Africa. The arrest was carried out under a US-issued Red Notice.
According to the information shared, Nigerian police coordinated the extradition through INTERPOL on May 14, 2026, following court approval. The process highlights growing bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in tackling transnational cybercrime syndicates operating from Nigeria and neighboring countries.
Ugberease is accused of orchestrating online romance scams targeting US citizens over a four-year period. Investigators allege that victims were deceived through fake online relationships and persuaded to transfer funds under false pretenses, resulting in losses exceeding $1.5 million. Romance scams and business email compromise schemes have become a major focus for US law enforcement agencies, with Nigeria frequently cited as a hub for such operations.
The extradition follows years of pressure from US authorities for Nigeria to act against high-profile cybercrime suspects. It also reflects the increased use of INTERPOL Red Notices to track and apprehend suspects across borders. Nigerian law enforcement has in recent years stepped up collaboration with international partners to address cybercrime, money laundering, and fraud networks.
Officials have described the extradition as part of broader efforts to improve Nigeria’s global image on cybercrime and demonstrate that suspects cannot evade justice by moving between countries. The case is expected to proceed in a US court, where Ugberease will face charges related to wire fraud and conspiracy.
The Nigerian Police Force and INTERPOL have not released further details on the court proceedings leading to the extradition, but the May 14 handover marks one of the most recent high-profile transfers of a Nigerian suspect to the US for cybercrime-related offenses.
Authorities continue to warn the public against engaging in online relationships that request money transfers and urge victims to report suspicious activity. The case against Ugberease is now set to be tested in the US judicial system, as Nigeria signals stronger commitment to cross-border enforcement against cybercrime syndicates…See More
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