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Hushpuppi arrives in U.S. to face charges, fraud schemes included attempts to steal $124 million from an English Premier League club
A Dubai resident who flaunted his extravagant lifestyle on social media has arrived in the United States to face criminal charges alleging he conspired to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from business email compromise (BEC) frauds and other scams, including schemes targeting a U.S. law firm, a foreign bank and an English Premier League soccer club.
Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, 37, a.k.a. “Ray Hushpuppi” and “Hush,” a Nigerian national, arrived in Chicago Thursday evening after being expelled from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Abbas made his initial U.S. court appearance this morning in Chicago, and he is expected to be transferred to Los Angeles in the coming weeks.
Abbas was arrested last month by UAE law enforcement officials. FBI special agents earlier this week obtained custody of Abbas and brought him to the United States to face a charge of conspiring to engage in money laundering that is alleged in a criminal complaint filed on June 25 by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles.
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Abbas maintains social media accounts that frequently showed him in designer clothes, wearing expensive watches, and posing in or with luxury cars and charter jets. “The FBI’s investigation has revealed that Abbas finances this opulent lifestyle through crime, and that he is one of the leaders of a transnational network that facilitates computer intrusions, fraudulent schemes (including BEC schemes), and money laundering, targeting victims around the world in schemes designed to steal hundreds of millions of dollars,” according to the affidavit.
The affidavit describes BEC schemes as often involving a computer hacker gaining unauthorized access to a business’ email account, blocking or redirecting communications to and/or from that email account, and then using the compromised email account or a separate fraudulent email account to communicate with personnel from a victim company and to attempt to trick them into making an unauthorized wire transfer.
“BEC schemes are one of the most difficult cybercrimes we encounter as they typically involve a coordinated group of con artists scattered around the world who have experience with computer hacking and exploiting the international financial system,” said United States Attorney Nick Hanna. “This case targets a key player in a large, transnational conspiracy who was living an opulent lifestyle in another country while allegedly providing safe havens for stolen money around the world. As this case demonstrates, my office will continue to hold such criminals accountable, no matter where they live.”
“In 2019 alone, the FBI recorded $1.7 billion in losses by companies and individuals victimized through business email compromise scams, the type of scheme Mr. Abbas is charged with conducting from abroad,” said Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “While this arrest has effectively taken a major alleged BEC player offline, BEC scams represent the most financially costly type of scheme reported to the FBI. I urge anyone who transfers funds personally or on behalf of a company to educate themselves about BEC so they can identify this insidious scheme before losing sizable amounts of money.”
“This was a challenging case, one that spanned international boundaries, traditional financial systems and the digital sphere,” said Jesse Baker, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Los Angles Field Office. “Technology has essentially erased geographic boundaries leaving trans-national criminal syndicates to believe that they are beyond the reach of law enforcement. The success in this case was the direct result of our trusted partnerships between the Department of Justice and our federal law enforcement colleagues. These partnerships helped dismantle a sophisticated organized crime group who preyed upon unsuspecting businesses. It is thanks to these partnerships that the American people can feel a bit more secure today.”
The affidavit alleges that Abbas and others committed a BEC scheme that defrauded a client of a New York-based law firm out of approximately $922,857 in October 2019. Abbas and co-conspirators allegedly tricked one of the law firm’s paralegals into wiring money intended for the client’s real estate refinancing to a bank account that was controlled by Abbas and the co-conspirators.
The affidavit also alleges that Abbas conspired to launder funds stolen in a $14.7 million cyber-heist from a foreign financial institution in February 2019, in which the stolen money was sent to bank accounts around the world. Abbas allegedly provided a co-conspirator with two bank accounts in Europe that Abbas anticipated each would receive €5 million (about $5.6 million) of the fraudulently obtained funds.
Abbas and others further conspired to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from other fraudulent schemes and computer intrusions, including one scheme to steal £100 million (approximately $124 million) from an English Premier League soccer club, the complaint alleges.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted of conspiracy to engage in money laundering, Abbas would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The FBI led the investigation of Abbas, and the United States Secret Service was also involved and provided substantial assistance. The FBI further thanks the government of the United Arab Emirates and the Dubai Police Department for their substantial assistance.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anil J. Antony and Joseph B. Woodring of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in this matter.
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‘Kuami Eugene is alive and receiving treatment’ – Lynx Entertainment issues statement
Following news of Ghanaian musician Kuami Eugene’s involvement in a car accident, Lynx Entertainment, the record label representing him, has issued an official press statement. (more…)
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Ghana International Trade Fair Center on the eviction and demolition of Fantasy Dome
The Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited has dismantled the “Fantasy Dome,” owned by Fantasy Entertainment, which has been on the trade fair site since January 2018, to pave way for developers to complete the ongoing “Ghana International Trade Fair Center Development Project.”
The dismantled facility will be available to its owners for it to be relocated.
The tenancy agreement between owners of the Fantasy Dome and the Trade Fair Company Limited expired on 31 December 2023. Since then, all efforts by the management of the Trade Fair Company Limited to get “Fantasy Entertainment” to remove the “Fantasy Dome” from the Trade Fair site has proved futile.
The CEO of Fantasy Entertainment has stated in a Saturday March 17th interview that he has an injunction, but the Trade Fair Company Limited has VEHEMENTLY DENIED any such injunction. In fact the company states that it has not been served with any court processes and no injunction was served on the day of the demolition.
Ironically, access to the portion of the site where the “Fantasy Dome” is situated at the Trade Fair site is vital for developers to construct the power and water infrastructure for the project as well as the drainage system to serve the new Ghana International Trade Fair Center. The dome has hampered the progress of these works for approximately 12 months.
To this end, the Trade Fair Company Limited on Saturday, 16 March 2024, embarked on an exercise supervised by the Ghana Police Service with support from the National Security Ministry to take down the “Fantasy Dome” in order for construction works on the Trade Fair site to proceed freely.
Brief background
The Ghana Trade Fair Company (GTFCL) was established by an Executive Instrument (EI) in 1960 as a project to facilitate Ghana’s post-independence trade and industrialization drive.
The Executive Instrument 10 acquired a 239.92-acre land for this purpose and to showcase Ghana’s exports with the view to attracting investors into its fledgling economy.
From its origins in 1960, GTFCL has metamorphosed into a limited liability company strategically positioned to promote and facilitate trade in Ghana.
There have been attempts by successive governments to revive the company through various public-private partnership initiatives. These attempts have focused on redeveloping the entire center under various themes. The current redevelopment project is considered as a core part of President Nana Akufo Addo’s vision to position Ghana as a trade hub for West Africa.
The new Ghana International Trade Fair Center Development Project, when completed, would have a convention and an exhibition center, a technology hub, retail mall, commercial offices, hotel accommodation, and public realm spaces.
Infrastructure works and construction of the major exhibition center are now underway.
It is under the Akufo-Addo government that the company was revived to successfully undertake an aggressive redevelopment of the site. The management and board of directors of the company under this government have worked tirelessly to turn the company into a commercially viable business today and have secured funding from development partners to develop the site.
The new GTFC
The new Ghana International Trade Fair Center Development Project, when completed, would have a convention and an exhibition center, a technology hub, retail mall, commercial offices, hotel accommodation, and public realm spaces.
Infrastructure works and construction of the major exhibition center are now underway.
Buzz
Kuami Eugene Survives Car Crash, Sustains Injuries
Multiple award-winning Ghanaian singer and songwriter, Eugene Kwame Marfo, professionally known as Kuami Eugene narrowly escaped a near-fatal accident when his car rammed into a tipper truck on the night of Sunday, March 17, 2024. (more…)
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Ghana’s Blitz Bazawule’s ‘The Color Purple’ dominates 2024 NAACP Image Awards
“The Color Purple” a film directed by Ghanaian filmmaker Blitz Bazawule dominated at the 55th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night, taking home four accolades including outstanding motion picture. (more…)
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Mix Master Garzy’s 2MG Music foundation inspires hope through music on Ghana’s Independence Day
Ghana Independence Day holds great significance for the nation, but for 2MG Music Foundation, it became a day of deeper meaning as they embarked on a journey of compassion at Orthopedic Training Centre in Nsawam.
Benjamin Garzy Mensah, popularly known as Mix Master Garzy is the Founder and CEO of 2MG Music Foundation, an NGO based in Ghana which is also affiliated with the 2MG Music record label.
Their inspiring mission of “Touching Lives through Music: was definitely achieved at the OTC Camp. On Ghana Independence Day, the music foundation arrived at the hospital loaded with instruments, ready to uplift spirits and bring smiles to the patients.
As the musicians played, OTC came alive with the soothing sounds of music. Children had the chance to showcase their talents through dance and song, creating a fun filled inclusive atmosphere. Performing artists rallied to show their unwavering support for the event such as Niashun, Akua Music and Mr Drew and the Band Masters who held the fort for the live entertainment.
The music served as a welcome distraction for the OTC members, reminding them of joy and resilience amidst their physical challenges. Each song imparted a message of hope, showing them, they were not alone in their journey towards healing. Beyond melodies, they forged connections and touched hearts, leaving a lasting impression on children, families and staff. Inspired, they pledged to continue spreading joy through music.
In commemorating Ghana Independence Day at OTC, 2MG Music Foundation embarked on a meaningful journey of compassion and solidarity. Through music, they brought smiles and hope to all, reminding us of the importance of supporting one another in times of need.
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