US To Investigate Hushpuppi For Celebrating Birthday In Prison
The US Bureau of Prisons said it would investigate Nigerian convict Hushpuppi, who is currently serving an 11-year sentence over a recent ‘misconduct.’
This development follows the circulation of a viral video allegedly depicting Hushpuppi hosting a gathering with fellow inmates within his reported detention facility at Fort Dix, New Jersey, as reported by the Peoples Gazette.
“We take these matters seriously,” the prison facility told the People’s Gazette on Thursday, adding that the “investigative department” would lead the investigation to determine the facts or lack thereof, about the viral video.
It is worth mentioning that Tunde Ednut, also known as Tunde Adekunle, a close associate of Hushpuppi and a prominent social media influencer, recently commemorated his birthday on January 22, 2024.
Amidst the birthday festivities taking place in various locations across Nigeria and certain parts of the United States, a video emerged showcasing a lavish spread of delectable dishes such as jollof rice, pasta, and refreshing beverages, seemingly within the confines of a correctional facility.
In 2022, Hushpuppi was sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison in Los Angeles for his involvement in laundering millions of stolen dollars. A federal judge also ordered him to pay $1.7 million in restitution to two fraud victims, as stated by the U.S. Department of Justice.
According to the statement, Abbas was identified as one of the world’s most prolific money launderers by Don Alway, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles office.
Prosecutors revealed that Abbas, along with a Canadian accomplice, engaged in money laundering activities related to various online crimes, including bank cyberheists and business email compromise (BEC).
BEC involves hackers gaining unauthorized access to email accounts, assuming false identities, and deceiving victims into transferring money to illegitimate destinations.
In 2019, Abbas played a role in laundering approximately $14.7 million stolen by North Korean hackers from a Maltese bank. The funds were funnelled through banks in Romania and Bulgaria, according to prosecutors.
Furthermore, Abbas assisted in laundering millions of pounds stolen from a British company and a professional soccer club in the United Kingdom.
He also facilitated the transfer of nearly $923,000 from a New York-based law firm to a criminal account. In addition, federal prosecutors stated that Abbas admitted to participating in defrauding an individual in Qatar who had sought a $15 million loan for a school construction project.
