By Gloria Ikibah
A Nigerian national has been extradited to the United States to face serious fraud charges linked to an alleged international romance scam that targeted elderly victims, U.S. authorities have confirmed.
Samuel Ugberaese was taken into custody by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after being transferred from Nigeria, following a long-running investigation into cross-border fraud operations. The case stems from an indictment issued by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina on 22 January 2021. 
Ugberaese appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian S. Myers, who ordered that he remain in custody pending trial.
According to court documents, prosecutors allege that Ugberaese and his associates deployed classic romance scam tactics, fabricating emotional relationships, spinning false narratives and making promises to manipulate victims into sending money.
The indictment further claims that Ugberaese worked alongside co-defendant Oluwadamilare Kolaogunbule, described as a naturalised U.S. citizen, to funnel illicit funds through a network of bank accounts. These accounts were reportedly linked to purported export businesses and used to “conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the criminal proceeds.”
Ugberaese now faces one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted on both charges, he could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison.
The extradition marks the culmination of coordinated efforts between multiple international agencies. Authorities credited the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI’s Law Enforcement Attaché Office in Abuja, the U.S. Department of State, Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Office, the Nigeria Police Force INTERPOL, and the South African Police Service for their roles in securing Ugberaese’s arrest and transfer.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam F. Hulbig of the Eastern District of North Carolina’s Fraud Section.
Officials stressed that the charges remain allegations at this stage. Ugberaese, like all defendants in the U.S. justice system, is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
