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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has extradited an alleged online romance fraud suspect, Samuel Ugberease, also known as “Putsammy”, “Putput”, and “Sammy”, to the United States to face charges linked to wire fraud, romance scams, and related financial crimes.
The Force said authorities extradited the suspect on Wednesday after concluding extradition proceedings and completing coordinated efforts between Nigerian and United States law enforcement agencies.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Force spokesman Anthony Placid said investigations showed that Ugberease and his accomplices operated a criminal network between 2014 and 2018, targeting female victims in the United States, especially in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
He said the syndicate created fake online identities and dating profiles to build deceptive emotional relationships with victims before convincing them to send large sums of money through fabricated emergencies and false claims.
Placid stated, “The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Abuja, has successfully extradited one Samuel Ugberease, also known as ‘Putsammy’, ‘Putput’, and ‘Sammy’, to the United States of America to face charges bordering on online romance scam, wire fraud, and related financial crimes.
“The suspect, who was based in South Africa prior to his arrest, was extradited on Wednesday, 14th May 2026, following the conclusion of extradition proceedings and coordinated engagements between Nigerian and United States law enforcement authorities.
“Investigations revealed that between 2014 and 2018, the suspect and his accomplices operated a criminal syndicate involved in online romance scams targeting female victims in the United States, particularly within the Eastern District of North Carolina.
“The syndicate reportedly created fake online identities and dating profiles to establish fraudulent emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending large sums of money under false pretences and fabricated emergencies.”
Placid added that investigators discovered the syndicate laundered proceeds of the fraud through multiple bank accounts used to receive, process, and conceal illicit funds.
He disclosed that, in one reported case, the suspect allegedly defrauded a victim of more than $1.5m.
According to him, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja first arrested the suspect at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on December 14, 2025, after he arrived from South Africa, following an INTERPOL Red Notice issued by authorities in the United States.
He said the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, later approved the extradition request in line with the provisions of the Extradition Act, Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Placid, however, assured both local and international partners of the Force’s continued commitment to strengthening global security cooperation.
