Channels TV reported the detail of the Hushpuppi’s deal that indicted embattled ‘super cop’ Kyari in an article.<\/p>\n
According to the broadcast station, in October 2019, a businessperson started looking for an investor who could provide a $15 million loan to build an international school in Qatar.<\/p>\n
By November, the businessperson was on a plane to Kenya, to meet a potential facilitator \u2013 Abdulrahman Juma, a 28-year-old parading as the \u2018Chairman\u2019 and \u2018Funding Officer\u2019 of Westload Financial Solutions Limited.<\/p>\n
Juma was able to convince the businessperson to sign a contract that mandated the payment of a $225,000 consultancy fee before the loan could be disbursed.<\/p>\n
Of course, there was no loan. But the businessperson didn\u2019t know that at the time.<\/p>\n
After the businessperson wired a first tranche of $164,450, Juma provided a forged document showing a wire transfer of $15 million from a Barclays Bank account in the United Kingdom to the businessperson\u2019s bank account in Qatar, according to documents from the US Department of Justice seen and reviewed by Channels Television.<\/p>\n
When the businessperson reached out to the bank to confirm the funds, there was no $15 million. The businessperson contacted Juma, who said the businessperson had to pay another \u201cpayment of release order\u201d to release the funds.<\/p>\n
In early December, the businessperson wired another $150,000, hoping that would be the final payment for the release of the $15 million. The businessperson was wrong.<\/p>\n
Because the dance had just begun.<\/p>\n
Hushpuppi Link<\/strong><\/h3>\nOn December 7, 2019, Juma reached out to Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, an Instagram celebrity who took pictures with expensive cars and watches and wrote motivational captions before his July 2020 arrest in Dubai.<\/p>\n
Juma and Hushpuppi, apparently, belonged to a global fraud syndicate that has fleeced numerous individuals and organisations of millions of dollars.<\/p>\n
In July, Hushpuppi pleaded guilty to multiple counts of money laundering before a US Federal Court and now faces up to 20 years in jail.<\/p>\n
The December 2019 conversation, too, revolved around how they could siphon more money off the businessperson seeking a $15 million loan.<\/p>\n
Hushpuppi told Juma that he would pretend to be a Bank Director \u2013 with the moniker Malik \u2013 when communicating with the businessperson. The duo agreed on profit sharing and Hushpuppi created a new WhatsApp account, using an American phone number.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.withinnigeria.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/08\/kunlenet07\/2021\/08\/01\/Abdulrahman-Juma.png\")
A photo of Mr Abdulrahman Juma. Credit: US Department of Justice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTexting the businessperson, Hushpuppi introduced himself as Malik, \u201cthe director of the bank responsible for crediting you the funds\u201d working with \u201cMr Rahman (Juma) from Kenya.\u201d<\/p>\n
Juma and Hushpuppi shared, with each other, screenshots of their messages with the businessperson, as the conversations progressed.<\/p>\n
To begin to tempt the businessperson to part with more money, Hushpuppi said there was a need to open a bank account in the United States, to transfer the $15 million loan because Qatar had apparently been sanctioned by the US government.<\/p>\n
The initial agreement was that the funds will then be credited from the US account to the businessperson\u2019s bank account in London.<\/p>\n
Apparently, Hushpuppi had a \u2018white guy\u2019 from America call the businessperson to boost the legitimacy of the scheme. The businessperson \u201cis so happy\u201d, Hushpuppi reported to Juma.<\/p>\n
Using the resources at his disposal, Hushpuppi created a fictitious business name statement (carrying the name of the businessperson\u2019s company) in the US. He then used the business name to open a bank account, in the name of the businessperson\u2019s company.<\/p>\n
He was also able to generate a \u2018Durable Power of Attorney\u2019 form. Fraudulent, of course.<\/p>\n
On December 20, Hushpuppi sent the account and online login of the Canoga Park Wells Fargo account to the businessperson, who must have felt, once again, that the loan was palpable.<\/p>\n
But when the businessperson sent Hushpuppi the information for a UK bank account where the loan funds should be deposited, the latter balked.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.withinnigeria.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/08\/kunlenet07\/2021\/08\/01\/Vincent-Chubuzo.png\")
A photo of Vincent Chubuzo sent by DCP Kyari to Hushpuppi. Credit: US Department of Justice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHushpuppi told the businessperson that it would not work to send funds to a \u201cpersonal account\u201d in the UK. Instead, the businessperson should open an investor\u2019s account with his own private banking service.<\/p>\n
To open the account, Hushpuppi said, the businessperson would have to fund it with a minimum of 250,000 pounds.<\/p>\n
At this point, the businessperson started to smell a rat. But the allure of imminent victory was too strong.<\/p>\n
On December 23, after some back and forth between Juma and Hushpuppi, (the former apparently wasn\u2019t convinced that it was the right time to ask for more money) the businessperson agreed to open the investor\u2019s account.<\/p>\n
Game, set . . . match?<\/p>\n
American money launderers<\/strong><\/h3>\nTo receive and launder the proceeds of the Qatar operation, Hushpuppi relied on two other individuals living in the United States \u2013 Rukayat Fashola and Bolatito Agbabiaka.<\/p>\n
He also used part of the loot to purchase a luxury Richard Mille watch and St. Kitts citizenship.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.withinnigeria.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/08\/kunlenet07\/2021\/08\/01\/Bolatito-Agbabiaka-and-Rukayat-Fashola.jpg\")
A photo combination of Bolatito Agbabiaka and Rukayat Fashola. Credit: US Department of Justice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOn December 24, Hushpuppi sent the businessperson two bank account details, one belonging to Agbabiaka, and the other to the Richard Mille watchseller.<\/p>\n
That same day, the businessperson transferred $330,000 to the accounts and sent Hushpuppi photographs of the wire transfer confirmations.<\/p>\n
Now, the businessperson must have been agitated. \u201cCan you please let me know when I can receive the fund as agreed and promised?\u201d The businessperson said in a text to Juma after forwarding the $330,000.<\/p>\n
Juma forwarded the businessperson\u2019s messages to Hushpuppi with a note: \u201cI need your advice before I get back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hushpuppi must have smiled. He had another trick up his sleeve.<\/p>\n
The money call<\/strong><\/h3>\nOn January 4, 2020, Vincent Chibuzo, another of Hushpuppi\u2019s associates, sent the Instagram celebrity a message containing a \u201ctelephone banking\u201d number.<\/p>\n
This will \u201cblow the client\u2019s mind,\u201d Chibuzo said in his message to Hushpuppi.<\/p>\n
The next plan had been to create a fake Wells Fargo bank website and a fake banking automated telephone number that could deceive the businessperson that, indeed, the promised funds had been deposited into the Canoga Park Wells Fargo account Hushpuppi had opened for the Qatar business.<\/p>\n
When the \u201ctelephone banking\u201d information was eventually sent to the businessperson, it was so convincing that the businessperson wrote back to Hushpuppi: \u201cOMG, I can\u2019t believe it, it\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n
After calling the businessperson, Juma sent Hushpuppi a voice note.<\/p>\n
The businessperson \u201ccan\u2019t breathe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The businessperson \u201cis really excited.\u201d<\/p>\n
The businessperson \u201cis crying tears of joy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The businessperson \u201cis thanking me.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response, Hushpuppi said, \u201cAre you proud of me or not? It\u2019s a perfect job, bro.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hushpuppi tax plan<\/strong><\/h3>\nAfter raising the businessperson\u2019s hopes, Hushpuppi reached out and claimed there was a need to pay a tax of $575,000 to have the loan cleared.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry but this is too much,\u201d the businessperson replied.<\/p>\n
The next day, the businessperson contacted Juma, asking him to find a way to avoid paying the $575,000 tax. Juma sent screenshots of this conversation to Hushpuppi.<\/p>\n
On January 10, Hushpuppi<\/a> and Juma discussed reducing the amount the businessperson should be asked to pay. Later, they communed on how to stop the businessperson from flying to the UK to confirm that there were funds in the purported Wells Fargo account.<\/p>\nJuma said he had told the businessperson to keep things quiet, and to not tell anyone or ask anyone about the status of the loan.<\/p>\n
On January 13, the businessperson agreed to pay $440,000 in taxes.<\/p>\n
Abba Kyari revenges for Hushpuppi<\/h3>\n
The saying that \u2018there is no honour among thieves\u2019 began to manifest among the Hushpuppi syndicate.<\/p>\n
First, Juma was able to secure $299,983.58 from the businessperson, perhaps as part of the tax payments. But he refused to share it with Hushpuppi because he (Juma) had not received a share from the earlier $330,000 sent by the businessperson.<\/p>\n
Then Chibuzo, who was based in Nigeria at the time, accused Hushpuppi of not paying for the work that was being done on the fake Wells Fargo website.<\/p>\n
As a way to get back at Hushpuppi, Chibuzo contacted the businessperson directly and, claiming he was \u201ctrying to help\u201d, said Hushpuppi was a scammer<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhen Hushpuppi got wind of Chibuzo\u2019s actions, he was livid. \u201cI will deal with him,\u201d he told Juma.<\/p>\n
Texting the businessperson, Hushpuppi introduced himself as Malik, \u201cthe director of the bank responsible for crediting you the funds\u201d working with \u201cMr Rahman (Juma) from Kenya.\u201d<\/p>\n
Juma and Hushpuppi shared, with each other, screenshots of their messages with the businessperson, as the conversations progressed.<\/p>\n
To begin to tempt the businessperson to part with more money, Hushpuppi said there was a need to open a bank account in the United States, to transfer the $15 million loan because Qatar had apparently been sanctioned by the US government.<\/p>\n
The initial agreement was that the funds will then be credited from the US account to the businessperson\u2019s bank account in London.<\/p>\n
Apparently, Hushpuppi had a \u2018white guy\u2019 from America call the businessperson to boost the legitimacy of the scheme. The businessperson \u201cis so happy\u201d, Hushpuppi reported to Juma.<\/p>\n
Using the resources at his disposal, Hushpuppi created a fictitious business name statement (carrying the name of the businessperson\u2019s company) in the US. He then used the business name to open a bank account, in the name of the businessperson\u2019s company.<\/p>\n
He was also able to generate a \u2018Durable Power of Attorney\u2019 form. Fraudulent, of course.<\/p>\n
On December 20, Hushpuppi sent the account and online login of the Canoga Park Wells Fargo account to the businessperson, who must have felt, once again, that the loan was palpable.<\/p>\n
But when the businessperson sent Hushpuppi the information for a UK bank account where the loan funds should be deposited, the latter balked.<\/p>\n Hushpuppi told the businessperson that it would not work to send funds to a \u201cpersonal account\u201d in the UK. Instead, the businessperson should open an investor\u2019s account with his own private banking service.<\/p>\n To open the account, Hushpuppi said, the businessperson would have to fund it with a minimum of 250,000 pounds.<\/p>\n At this point, the businessperson started to smell a rat. But the allure of imminent victory was too strong.<\/p>\n On December 23, after some back and forth between Juma and Hushpuppi, (the former apparently wasn\u2019t convinced that it was the right time to ask for more money) the businessperson agreed to open the investor\u2019s account.<\/p>\n Game, set . . . match?<\/p>\n To receive and launder the proceeds of the Qatar operation, Hushpuppi relied on two other individuals living in the United States \u2013 Rukayat Fashola and Bolatito Agbabiaka.<\/p>\n He also used part of the loot to purchase a luxury Richard Mille watch and St. Kitts citizenship.<\/p>\n On December 24, Hushpuppi sent the businessperson two bank account details, one belonging to Agbabiaka, and the other to the Richard Mille watchseller.<\/p>\n That same day, the businessperson transferred $330,000 to the accounts and sent Hushpuppi photographs of the wire transfer confirmations.<\/p>\n Now, the businessperson must have been agitated. \u201cCan you please let me know when I can receive the fund as agreed and promised?\u201d The businessperson said in a text to Juma after forwarding the $330,000.<\/p>\n Juma forwarded the businessperson\u2019s messages to Hushpuppi with a note: \u201cI need your advice before I get back.\u201d<\/p>\n Hushpuppi must have smiled. He had another trick up his sleeve.<\/p>\n On January 4, 2020, Vincent Chibuzo, another of Hushpuppi\u2019s associates, sent the Instagram celebrity a message containing a \u201ctelephone banking\u201d number.<\/p>\n This will \u201cblow the client\u2019s mind,\u201d Chibuzo said in his message to Hushpuppi.<\/p>\n The next plan had been to create a fake Wells Fargo bank website and a fake banking automated telephone number that could deceive the businessperson that, indeed, the promised funds had been deposited into the Canoga Park Wells Fargo account Hushpuppi had opened for the Qatar business.<\/p>\n When the \u201ctelephone banking\u201d information was eventually sent to the businessperson, it was so convincing that the businessperson wrote back to Hushpuppi: \u201cOMG, I can\u2019t believe it, it\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n After calling the businessperson, Juma sent Hushpuppi a voice note.<\/p>\n The businessperson \u201ccan\u2019t breathe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The businessperson \u201cis really excited.\u201d<\/p>\n The businessperson \u201cis crying tears of joy.\u201d<\/p>\n The businessperson \u201cis thanking me.\u201d<\/p>\n In response, Hushpuppi said, \u201cAre you proud of me or not? It\u2019s a perfect job, bro.\u201d<\/p>\n After raising the businessperson\u2019s hopes, Hushpuppi reached out and claimed there was a need to pay a tax of $575,000 to have the loan cleared.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry but this is too much,\u201d the businessperson replied.<\/p>\n The next day, the businessperson contacted Juma, asking him to find a way to avoid paying the $575,000 tax. Juma sent screenshots of this conversation to Hushpuppi.<\/p>\n On January 10, Hushpuppi<\/a> and Juma discussed reducing the amount the businessperson should be asked to pay. Later, they communed on how to stop the businessperson from flying to the UK to confirm that there were funds in the purported Wells Fargo account.<\/p>\n Juma said he had told the businessperson to keep things quiet, and to not tell anyone or ask anyone about the status of the loan.<\/p>\n On January 13, the businessperson agreed to pay $440,000 in taxes.<\/p>\n The saying that \u2018there is no honour among thieves\u2019 began to manifest among the Hushpuppi syndicate.<\/p>\n First, Juma was able to secure $299,983.58 from the businessperson, perhaps as part of the tax payments. But he refused to share it with Hushpuppi because he (Juma) had not received a share from the earlier $330,000 sent by the businessperson.<\/p>\n Then Chibuzo, who was based in Nigeria at the time, accused Hushpuppi of not paying for the work that was being done on the fake Wells Fargo website.<\/p>\n As a way to get back at Hushpuppi, Chibuzo contacted the businessperson directly and, claiming he was \u201ctrying to help\u201d, said Hushpuppi was a scammer<\/a>.<\/p>\n When Hushpuppi got wind of Chibuzo\u2019s actions, he was livid. \u201cI will deal with him,\u201d he told Juma.<\/p>\nAmerican money launderers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The money call<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Hushpuppi tax plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Abba Kyari revenges for Hushpuppi<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.withinnigeria.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/08\/kunlenet07\/2021\/08\/01\/Ramon-Abbas-aka-Hushpuppi.png\")