By Progress Godfrey, Abuja
To end his trial, a US Court has sentenced Ramon Abbas, commonly known as Hushpuppi, to 11 years and 3 months imprisonment for conspiracy to launder money obtained from business e-mail compromise frauds and other internet scams.
Justice Otis Wright II who delivered the verdict at a United States District Court sitting Central District of California on Monday found Hushpuppi guilty of the allegations including schemes that defrauded a US law firm and plans to defraud an English Premier League club.
Abass, also known as Hush, is popular in Nigeria for his luxury lifestyle which he showcased on his
verified Instagram account, which was deactivated by Meta, the parent body of Instagram, Facebook and others.
Husbphppi was arrested in June 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for defrauding over 1.9 million people, the majority of them being Americans. He was later extradited to the United States on July 3.
The offence levelled against him attracts maximum imprisonment of 20 years. It also attracts other punishments including full restitution of the proceeds of fraud.
Born October 11, 1982, 40-year-old Huspuppi who at first denied, later pleaded guilty to the criminal charges filed against him in July 2021, which he hoped would reduce his sentence. He had also written Justice Otis Wright, promising to have turned a new leaf and vowed to return proceeds made from his fraudulent schemes.
The US court also received letters from Hushpuppi’s family and religious circles addressed to the judge pleading for mercy on his behalf.
Nevertheless, this judgment puts a conclusion to Hushpuppi’s trial which lasted for 2 years.
