Serial Fraudster, Hushpuppi, Pleads Guilty To Charges Against Him

Nigerian serial fraudster, Ramon Abass, popularly known as Hushpuppi, has accepted to plead guilty to the money laundering charge against him. In June 2020, he was arrested alongside 11 others who were said to be his associates.

The allegations against them include banking fraud, scamming, hacking, identity theft and impersonation. Hushpuppi was arrested in the UAE and extradited to the United States after being accused of defrauding his numerous victims of N168 billion.

Ahead of his trial, the fraudster was arraigned and detained at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Chicago. He is being represented by Attorney Loius Shapiro. However, he is likely to face 20 years in prison as his lawyer has agreed to plead guilty to count two of the trial “Case No. 2:20-CR-00322-ODW.” According to the referenced court case, Hushpuppi is charged with “conspiracy to engage in money laundering.”

Sahara Reporters also reported that the document states that, “For a person to be deemed guilty of the crime, there was an agreement between two or more persons to conduct a financial transaction involving property that represented the proceeds of wire fraud.”

Read Also: Hushpuppi Vs Greed: Four Lessons To Learn

Hushpuppi is also expected to heed to the facts entered in the agreement concerning his sentencing. Likewise, he must be totally truthful with the United States probation and pretrial services office and the court. Below is an excerpt from the document.

“The defendant understands that the statutory maximum sentence that the court can impose for a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h), as charged in the Information, is 20 years imprisonment; 3-year period of supervised release; a fine of $500,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greatest; and a mandatory special assessment of $100.

“Defendant understands that defendant will be required to pay full restitution to the victim(s) of the offense to which defendant is pleading guilty. Defendant agrees that the court may order restitution to persons other than the victim(s) of the offenses to which defendant is pleading guilty and in amounts greater than those alleged in the count.”

Hence, Hushpuppi will pay about $1.7m as restitution. However, there could be an adjustment depending on facts that come up before his sentencing.

Observations and lessons

Hushpuppi is a popular Instagram celebrity who glories in displaying his lavish lifestyle on social media. He has influenced the youth into thinking that his kind of lifestyle is the most suitable for them. His regular updates make many wonder about the source of his wealth. Nevertheless, a lot of persons were not oblivious of the fact that he was into internet fraud.

His arrest last year was an eye opener for those who admired and wanted to live like him. Hushpuppi disregarded hard work and made mockery of honest living. Regularly, he got the praises of those whose palm he has oiled with his ill-gotten wealth.

There is always a price to pay for success. The road may be long, but it is definitely noble and worth taking. Wealth gotten through dubious means may last for a while, but the effect is always untold. Hushpuppi is not only likely to spend 20 years in prison, he would give up the wealth he has accumulated.

While this may not stop the influence he has built on a number of his followers, but it has surely stopped his journey into acquiring more wealth illegally which is a big win for justice.