The United States District Court for the Central District of California, has ordered Nigerian social media influencer, Ramon Abass Olorunwa, popularly known as Hushpuppi, to pay $1.7m in restitution to two victims as he bagged 11 years and 3 months in prison for fraud, on Monday.
Justice Otis D. Wright II sentenced Hushpuppi for money laundering, conspiracy through several online scams and flaunting of a luxurious, crime-funded lifestyle on social media.
The United States in a statement by Attorney Martin Estrada said; “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.”
“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.”.
“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.”
Recall that Hushpuppi had on July 28, 2021, pleaded guilty and also identified Abba Kyari, a serving Deputy Commissioner of Police as an accomplice in his $1.1 million scam.
The following day, a US Court on July 29, 2021, granted an FBI warrant to arrest Abba Kyari, who was further implicated after his conversation with Hushpuppi was released.