Dubai police extradite hushpuppy to America over alleged N168billion fraud
The suspected notorious internet fraudster,Ramon Abbas and Olalekan Ponle, globally known as Hushpuppi and Woodberry respectively, have been extradited to the United States by the the United Arab Emirate(UAE) authorities over alleged multiple fraud.
Penpushing reports that, the Dubai police made this known in a statement posted on Twitter, on Thursday, and also released a video detailing how the arrest was effected, which revealed how Hushpuppi had defrauded thousands of victims of about N168 billion.
The police also stated that they recovered 150 million dirhams cash (about N16 billion)during the coordinated raids, while information stated that, Hushpuppi and Woodberry were arrested in the United Arab Emirate on June 10, for multiple fraud charges after a raid by operatives of the Dubia crime unit, titled “Fox Hunt 2”.
Penpushing further reports that, the Director Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Christopher Wray, in a statement thanked the Dubai authorities for their cooperation in arresting and extraditing the suspects.
‘FBI thanks Dubai Police for arresting and extraditing Hushpuppi and Woodberry. The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Christopher Wray has praised the exceptional efforts exerted by the United Arab Emirate, represented by the Dubai Police General HQ, in combating transnational organised cybercrime including the recent arrest of Raymond Igbalode Abbas, known as “Hushpuppi” and Olalekan Jacob Ponle aka “Woodberry” who were taken down in operation “Fox Hunt 2”, the statement reads.
Penpushing also reports that, the Director extended his appreciation to Dubai Police for their cooperation in extraditing the wanted criminals, who committed money-laundering and multiple cybercrimes, to the United States.
“The suspects were caught in a series of synchronised raids by six SWAT teams from Dubai Police who foiled the gang’s bid to deceive many people from around the world and steal their money,” the statement said.
The Director of Dubai Criminal Investigation Department(CID), Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, said the raid resulted in confiscating incriminating documents of a planned fraud on a global scale worth AED 1.6 billion ($ 435 million).
“The team also seized more than AED 150 million ($40.9 million) in cash, 13 luxury cars with an estimated value of AED 25 million ($6.8 million) obtained from fraud crimes, and confiscated 21 computer devices, 47 smartphones, 15 memory sticks, five hard disks containing 119,580 fraud files as well as addresses of 1,926,400 victims”, he said.
“After conducting further investigations and analysing confiscated electronic devices, Dubai Police investigators uncovered sensitive information mined by the suspects on individuals and companies overseas including bank accounts and fake credit cards as well as documents and files condemning the gangs’ illegal activities.”
Penpushing further reports that, the arrest of Hushpuppi has made him to join a list of high-profile Nigerians to be arrested so far in 2020, and was arrested months after several other Nigerians, including Obinwanne Okeke and Ismaila Mompha; who were arrested in August and October 2019 respectively, for their alleged roles in separate multinational fraud.
The alleged notorious cyber crime suspect, has over two million followers on Instagram,and is known for his display of luxury on social media, while source in the wake of his arrest, sources there was a custody battle for him between Nigerian and United States of America(USA)had told officials.
