Nigerian Man extradited to U.S. over romance scam, faces up to 40 years in prison

A Nigerian national, Samuel Ugberaese, has been extradited to the United States to face prosecution over his alleged involvement in a cross-border romance fraud network that authorities say targeted victims through fake online relationships and financial deception.

Ugberaese, who is also known by the alias “Putsammy,” could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted on charges filed by U.S. authorities.

According to a statement from the U.S. government, Ugberaese has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Prosecutors allege that he and his co-conspirators used romance scam tactics, including fabricated identities, emotional manipulation, and false promises, to deceive victims into sending money.

“The indictment further alleges that Ugberaese conspired with a co-defendant, Oluwadamilare Kolaogunbule, a naturalized U.S. citizen, to conduct financial transactions through his bank account network, including accounts registered to purported export companies, to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the criminal proceeds,” the statement said.

Authorities added that the offences carry a statutory maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment if he is found guilty.

The U.S. Department of Justice credited a wide range of international agencies for supporting the investigation and extradition process, including the Office of International Affairs, South African Police Service, FBI Legal Attaché Office in Abuja, Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Nigeria Police Force, including INTERPOL operations.

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Officials said the coordinated effort was critical in tracking, arresting, and transferring the suspect to U.S. custody.

In a statement issued on May 14, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed that a Federal High Court in Lagos approved Ugberaese’s extradition.

Police said he was arrested on December 14, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos after arriving from South Africa.

The suspect was said to have been on the radar of international investigators for years before his arrest.

Investigators allege that between 2014 and 2018, Ugberaese and members of his syndicate operated a sophisticated online fraud scheme targeting women in the United States, particularly in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

According to authorities, the group created fake online identities and dating profiles to build emotional relationships with victims. These relationships were then allegedly used to manipulate victims into transferring large sums of money under false pretences, often involving fabricated emergencies.

The proceeds were reportedly routed through multiple bank accounts and shell entities to conceal their origin and ownership.

Ugberaese will now face trial in the United States as prosecutors pursue the case against him and his alleged co-conspirators.

Authorities say the case underscores ongoing international efforts to combat cyber-enabled financial crimes and cross-border fraud networks that exploit victims through digital platforms.