The police in Dubai have confirmed that Nigerian Instagram celebrity, Hushpuppi, was arrested on multiple fraud charges.
A report by The National published in the UAE said the 38-year-old born Raymond Abbas was arrested by Dubai Police on June 10.
Previous media reports had suggested he was arrested by America’s FBI or Interpol.
According to The National, Hushpuppi was referred to the Dubai public prosecution and is currently being questioned by prosecutors at the Bur Dubai section.
The prosecutors have charged him for “obtaining money from others through fraudulent means.”
He is wanted for fraud crimes in Europe, the US and Nigeria.
Security officers in the emirate arrested Hushpuppi and 12 others for online fraud that targets companies and individuals.
“They would send out letters from email addresses almost identical to those of legitimate companies, targeting customers of these companies, with the purpose of diverting payments to themselves,” said a senior prosecutor.
“Initial information includes that he was part of this gang which fraudulently obtained cash and cars from people.
“His statement was taken by prosecution but this is just the beginning of prosecution investigations.”
Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, told Lagos-based TVC on Friday last week that his agency had no prior involvement in Hushpuppi’s case.
“We are yet to be involved in the case of Hushpuppi,” Mr Magu said, noting that Emirati authorities did not provide information on his arrest to warrant EFCC’s cooperation.
Hushpuppi has 2.3 million followers on Instagram. He is known for his display of wealth on social media.
He often posts pictures with his luxury cars like Ferrari and Rolls Royce and a private jet.
His last post was on June 6, four days before he was arrested.
