INTERPOL hand over yahoo boy to US authorities over $1.5million fraud
The Nigeria Police Force has announced that it has extradited a ‘yahoo boy,’ Samuel Ugberease, also known as “Putsammy”, “Putput”, and “Sammy”, to the United States over alleged online romance scams, wire fraud, and related financial crimes.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the police said the suspect was extradited through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja following the conclusion of extradition proceedings between Nigerian and US authorities.
The police said Ugberease, who was based in South Africa before his arrest, was extradited on May 14, 2026.
According to the statement, investigations showed that between 2014 and 2018, the suspect and his accomplices operated a criminal syndicate involved in online romance scams targeting female victims in the US, particularly in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
The police alleged that the syndicate created fake online identities and dating profiles to establish fraudulent emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending money under false pretences.
Investigators also alleged that proceeds of the fraud were laundered through multiple bank accounts used to conceal 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 police said the suspect was arrested by INTERPOL operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on December 14, 2025, after arriving from South Africa.
According to the statement, the arrest followed an INTERPOL red notice issued by US authorities.
The police said extradition proceedings were later initiated at the Federal High Court in Lagos, which granted the application in line with the provisions of the Extradition Act.
The force said it remains committed to using international partnerships and intelligence-led policing to combat cybercrime, financial fraud, and transnational organised crime.
