Crime
JUST IN: US court finally sentences Hushpuppi to 11 years imprisonment for fraud
A United States District Court for the Central District of California has finally sentenced Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abass Olorunwa, popularly known as Hushpuppi, to 11 years and three months in prison.
40-year-old Abbas was sentenced by United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II, who also ordered Abbas to pay $1,732,841 in restitution to two fraud victims.
Recall Hushpuppi pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering.
He was arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in June 2020 and has remained in federal custody since his expulsion from the UAE.
A statement released by the US court on the aformentioned case read, “Abbas bragged on social media about his lavish lifestyle – a lifestyle funded by his involvement in transnational fraud and money laundering conspiracies targeting victims around the world,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada.
“Money laundering and business email compromise scams are a massive international crime problem, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement and international partners to identify and prosecute those involved, wherever they may be.”
“Ramon Abbas, a.k.a. ‘Hushpuppi,’ targeted both American and international victims, becoming one of the most prolific money launderers in the world,” said Don Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Abbas leveraged his social media platforms – where he amassed a considerable following – to gain notoriety and to brag about the immense wealth he acquired by conducting business email compromise scams, online bank heists and other cyber-enabled fraud that financially ruined scores of victims and provided assistance to the North Korean regime. This significant sentence is the result of years’ worth of collaboration among law enforcement in multiple countries and should send a clear warning to international fraudsters that the FBI will seek justice for victims, regardless of whether criminals operate within or outside United States borders.”
Crime
Interpol declares 14 Nigerians wanted for drug trafficking, robbery
At least 14 Nigerians have been declared wanted by the international criminal police organisation (Interpol) for alleged human and drug trafficking, robbery, cheating, and forgery.
Red Notices published on the Interpol website stated that the suspects are wanted by various countries.
The individuals named in the notices include Felix Omoregie, Jessica Edosomwan, Uche Egbue, Jude Uzoma, Chinedu Ezeunara, Benedict Okoro, Ikechukwu Obidiozor, and Alachi Stanley.
Others are Bouhari Salif, Timloh Nkem, Austine Costa, Okromi Festus, Akachi Vitus, and Mary Eze.
Belgian authorities have issued a notice for Omoregie, accusing him of leading a criminal organisation involved in exploiting minors for prostitution.
“Family name: Omoregie, Forename: Felix, Gender: Male, Date of birth: 22/10/1977 (47 years old), Nationality: Nigeria,” the notice reads.
“Charges published as provided by requesting entity: Sexual exploitation or exploitation of prostitution of minors over 16 years of age; Sexual exploitation or exploitation of prostitution of another person/Leader of a criminal organisation/Human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation.”
French authorities issued a notice for Edosomwan, accusing her of trafficking multiple victims in an organised operation and concealing proceeds of the crime.
The notice stated that Egbue is wanted in Argentina for drug trafficking, while Uzoma is sought by Brazil for similar charges.
Ezeunara is wanted by Uruguay for alleged drug trafficking, and Okoro is being pursued by Nicaragua for alleged organised crime.
Obidiozor, Vitus, and Stanley are wanted by Angola for alleged kidnapping, robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.
Notices also indicated that Eze is wanted in Denmark for alleged human trafficking, Salif in China for alleged drug smuggling, and Nkem in Canada for alleged sexual assault and failure to comply with conditions of recognisance.
Costa is sought by Indian authorities for alleged criminal conspiracy, forgery, and possession of forged documents.
Okromi is also wanted by India for alleged conspiracy and cheating.
Interpol explained that Red Notices serve to alert the public and law enforcement about wanted persons in order to help locate them.
“A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant,” the organisation stated.
“The individuals are wanted by the requesting member country or international tribunal. Member countries apply their laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.”
Interpol urged the public to report any information about the wanted persons to their local police authorities.
Crime
NDLEA arrests returning businessman for smuggling cocaine
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a businessman identified as an ‘I Just Got Back’ returnee for attempting to smuggle cocaine into the country.
Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, shared videos of the seized contraband on X.com on Sunday.
The suspect, who had just returned from a foreign trip, initially raised suspicion due to his nervous demeanour.
NDLEA officials subjected him to a routine screening, during which wraps of cocaine began to fall from his body.
The statement said: “Narco-trend update: The moment #ndlea_nigeria officers intercepted an ‘I Just Got Back’ businessman, screened him, and wraps of cocaine began to ‘rain’ from his body. Who will tell them that NDLEA will always get them no matter the mode of concealment?”
Click the link below to watch the video:
Crime
Court jails ex-IMF chief Rodrigo Rato for tax fraud, corruption
A Madrid court on Friday sentenced former International Monetary Fund chief Rodrigo Rato to more than four years in prison for tax crimes, money laundering and corruption.
Judges found Rato who was also a former economy minister in Spain, guilty of “three offences against the treasury, one offence of money laundering and one offence of corruption between individuals,” the court announced in a statement.
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