Nigerian Police Extradite Cyber Fraudster Linked to $1.5M Romance Scam

Severity: Low (Score: 21.8)

Sources: Thesun.Ng, Thewillnews, Thenationonlineng

Summary

Samuel Ugberease, a cyber fraudster known as 'Putsammy', was extradited from Nigeria to the US on May 14, 2026, to face charges related to an online romance scam. He and his accomplices targeted female victims in the US, particularly in North Carolina, between 2014 and 2018. The syndicate created fake online identities to manipulate victims into sending money, resulting in losses exceeding $1.5 million. Ugberease was arrested at Lagos airport in December 2025 following an INTERPOL Red Notice. The Nigerian police emphasized their commitment to combating cybercrime through international cooperation and intelligence-led policing. Key Points: • Samuel Ugberease was extradited to the US for his role in a $1.5 million romance scam. • The fraud scheme involved creating fake online identities to exploit victims emotionally and financially. • Nigerian police are enhancing efforts to combat cybercrime through international collaboration.

Key Entities

• Nigeria (country)
• South Africa (country)
• United States of America (country)