The United States attorney’s office at the central district of California has disclosed that the self-confessed Nigerian serial fraudster, Ramon Abbas who is best known as Hushpuppi, will be sentenced on Valentine’s Day.
Thom Mrozek, the court’s Director of Media Relations, stated that Hushpuppi has been scheduled for sentencing on February 14, BBC Pidgin reports.
“The court has scheduled the case of Mr. Abbas for sentencing on February 14, 2022,” Mrozek said.
As of the time of filing this report, the court’s spokesperson, however, did not give any other information on the duration of trial and sentence.
It would be recalled that Hushpuppi, who is known for his luxury life, was arrested in the UAE back in June 2020 alongside 11 of his associates over allegations bordering on hacking, impersonation, scamming, banking fraud, and identity theft.
He was extradited to the United States after the UAE police detailed his arrest in a special operation dubbed ‘Fox Hunt 2’, where he was accused of defrauding 1.9 million victims to the tune of N168billion.
FBI Special Agent, Andrew Innocenti, had in 2021 alleged that Hushpuppi contracted the services of Abba Kyar, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), after a “co-conspirator,” Chibuzo Vincent, allegedly threatened to expose the alleged $1.1m fraud committed against a Qatari businessman.
Innocenti, who said he obtained voice calls and WhatsApp conversations between Kyari and Hushpuppi, had also alleged that the latter paid the police officer N8million or $20,600 for the arrest and detention of Vincent.
It is important to note that in a plea agreement document obtained by newsmen, Hushpuppi had pleaded guilty to various offences bordering on internet scam and money laundering, among others.
The document was signed by Hushpuppi; his lawyer, Loius Shapiro; Acting United States Attorney, Tracy Wilkison, amongst others.
It stated that Hushpuppi risks “20 years’ imprisonment; a 3-year period of supervised release; a fine of $500,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offence”.
