Nigeria Police Extradite Alleged Yahoo Boy Samuel Ugberease to US Over $1.5 Million Romance Scam
A Nigerian national identified as Samuel Ugberease, popularly known as “Putsammy”, “Putput”, and “Sammy”, has been extradited to the United States by the Nigeria Police Force over alleged involvement in online romance scams, wire fraud, and other related financial crimes.
In a statement obtained by PulseNets on Thursday, the Nigeria Police Force disclosed that the extradition was carried out through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja after the conclusion of extradition proceedings between Nigerian and United States authorities.
The police revealed that Ugberease, who was reportedly based in South Africa before his arrest, was extradited on May 14, 2026.
According to details contained in the statement, investigations reportedly uncovered that between 2014 and 2018, the suspect and members of his syndicate allegedly operated an organised online romance fraud network targeting female victims in the United States, particularly within the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Police authorities further alleged that the syndicate created fake online identities and fraudulent dating profiles to establish emotional relationships with unsuspecting victims before manipulating them into sending money under false pretences.
Investigators also alleged that proceeds from the suspected fraud operations were laundered through several bank accounts in an attempt to disguise the origin of the illicit funds.
“In one of the reported cases, the suspect was linked to the defrauding of a victim of over One Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($1.5 million USD),” the statement read.
The statement further disclosed that INTERPOL operatives arrested the suspect at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on December 14, 2025, shortly after his arrival from South Africa.
PulseNets learnt that the arrest followed an INTERPOL red notice reportedly issued by authorities in the United States.
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The police also stated that extradition proceedings were subsequently initiated at the Federal High Court in Lagos, which later granted the application in accordance with the provisions of the Extradition Act.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international collaboration and intelligence-driven policing in tackling cybercrime, financial fraud, and transnational organised crime.
