Internet fraud: Hushpuppi trial attracts 2.5million people worldwide

The celebrated arrest of suspected internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas known as Hushpuppi, who is currently undergoing trial in United States of America (USA) has attracted over 2.5 million people across the globe.

Penpushing reports that investigation showed that, part of the followers of his travail include his numerous followers on instrgram, who known him for flaunting his alleged fraudulent and extravagant lifestyle on social media

The alleged 37 year old fraudster was arrested for wire fraud in Dubai in June and extradited to United States of America(USA) on July 3, while his Instagram page was a mini catalog dedicated to showing off his cars, clothes, shoes, and jet-set lifestyle.

Penpushing further reports that, investigation about his profile has revealed that he has three children from three different women, while two of the children live in London and the third lives in New York City.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, however, recently issued  a statement concerning Hushpuppi’s citizenship status on its official website on July 6, adding that  it became aware of reports and rumours concerning Hushpuppi’s Federation’s citizenship.

“We note that the Nigeria-born Mr. Abbas, 37, was granted a St. Kitts and Nevis passport in February 2020 by virtue of his marriage to Shawana Nakesia Chapman, 32, a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis by birth and the United States of America. Ms. Chapman, a resident of North Carolina, USA, married Mr. Abbas in Nigeria in October 2018, thereby conferring him with the right to St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship”.

They also added that any suggestion that the citizenship was obtained through means other than marriage – such as the country’s Citizenship by Investment program, which includes rigorous background checks – is therefore utterly false and willfully misleading.

Penpushing also reports that, the court gave some reasons for the refusal to grant Hushpuppi bail, while a report released on Monday was based on the recommendations of the Pretrial services, which provides the court with quality information about the defendants.

The court concluded that the defendant must be detained pending trial because the government has proven that no condition or combination of conditions of release will reasonably assure the  defendant’s appearance as required.

“The court agreed with the recommendation of Pretrial Services that Mr Abbas presents a risk of non-appearance and that he should be removed to the charging district in California in custody.”

Penpushing reports that in addition to the findings made on the record at the hearing, the court cited five major factors for the detention, and these include; the fact that  Abbas is subject to a lengthy period of incarceration if convicted, lacks significant community or family ties to the district, has significant family or other ties outside the United States, lacks legal status in the country and will be subjected to removal or deportation for serving any period of incarceration “The court agrees with the recommendation of Pretrial Services that Mr Abbas presents a serious risk of nonappearance and that he should be removed to the charging district in California in custody’, the order reads.

The Court in addition  finds Abbas presents a serious risk of flight to avoid this prosecution with the meaning of 18 USC 3142(f)(2),and  stated the reasons for its ruling on the record during the removal hearing held on July 13, 2020.

Penpushing also reports that, the additional notes contained in this Order are consistent with the reasons stated on the record and are intended to supplement rather than supplant those statements.

“Abbas is not a United States citizen and has no significant ties to the United States. If he is convicted of the charges, he faces deportation once he serves any custodial sentence that might be imposed. If the allegations in the complaint are true, Abbas has sufficient assets to fund a flight to anywhere in the world, and he has ties to many foreign countries’.

“Abbas reportedly rents an apartment in Dubai for $10,000 a month and drives a Bentley. He is alleged to crimes that netted tens of millions of dollars or have committed financial more.He might spend the next twenty years in prison if convicted of the crime.”