Federal Prosecutors Say Romance Scam Targeted Elderly Victims Across U.S.

RALEIGH, N.C. — A Nigerian national accused of participating in an international romance fraud scheme targeting elderly victims has been extradited to the United States to face federal charges in North Carolina.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Samuel Ugberaese was arrested and extradited from Nigeria to the United States following a federal indictment returned in the Eastern District of North Carolina on Jan. 22, 2021.

Ugberaese appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian S. Myers, who ordered him detained pending trial.

Federal prosecutors allege Ugberaese and others used online romance scams and false promises to manipulate victims into sending money. Authorities said the scheme targeted victims in the United States and other countries.

The indictment alleges Ugberaese worked with co-defendant Oluwadamilare Kolaogunbule, a naturalized U.S. citizen, to move money through a network of bank accounts, including accounts tied to purported export businesses, in an effort to conceal the source and movement of fraud proceeds.

Ugberaese faces one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years in federal prison.

Federal officials said multiple agencies assisted with the arrest and extradition, including the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in Abuja, the U.S. Department of State, the Nigerian Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Office, the Nigeria Police Force–INTERPOL, and the South African Police Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam F. Hulbig of the Eastern District of North Carolina is prosecuting the case.