This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
On June 25, 2020, a dramatic arrest took place in Dubai, marking the end of a high-profile cyber scam. Nigerian influencer Hushpuppi, whose real name is Raymond Abbas, was taken into custody by officers from the FBI and Interpol.
According to reports, Hushpuppi's luxurious lifestyle on social media was used to lure victims from all over the world. His ostentatious displays of wealth were a facade for a complex online racket.
Twelve others, including Olalekan Jacob Ponle, also known as Woodberry, were arrested in co-ordinated raids for their alleged roles in the scam. Police confiscated a significant amount of evidence, including 21 computers, 47 smartphones, and 119,580 fraud files.
As part of the operation, 'Fox Hunt 2', a hidden online fraud network was uncovered, committing crimes outside the UAE, including money-laundering, cyber fraud, hacking, and identity theft.
Speaking to the media, Lt General Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Commander-In-Chief of Dubai Police, revealed the extent of the scam. He stated, 'The gang, including Hushpuppi, would pose as businessmen to lure victims. They created fake accounts on social media and designed company and bank websites to steal credit card data and illegally obtain victims' money.'
