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The Dubai Police have revealed the actual reason Nigerian Instagram socialite, Raymond Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi was arrested in his Dubai apartment alongside some of his associates.
It was widely reported that Hushpuppi, alongside his entire team, were arrested on Wednesday, June 10 by International Police Organization (INTERPOL) and America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Controversial Journalist, Kemi Olunloyo had also reported he was arrested over a $35 million wire fraud meant for COVID-19 test kits.
“HushPuppi was arrested yesterday in Dubai at his apartment Pallazo Versace along with his entire team. I will introduce them to you one by one. The case belongs to @SecretService@fbi@INTERPOL_HQ and it involves $35M wire fraud meant for #Covid19 test kits,” Olunloyo had tweeted on Wednesday June 10 via her official handle.
But The Nation clarified that Hushpuppi is being held by Dubai Police and not America’s FBI or Interpol as widely reported.
According to UAE’s online newspaper, The National, the Nigerian alleged fraudster, Hushpuppi was arrested on multiple fraud charges, along with 12 other accomplices.
The news medium also revealed his real name as Raymond Abbas and his real age as 38 years.
It was stated that his case has been referred to the Dubai public prosecution and is currently being questioned by prosecutors at the Bur Dubai section.
The prosecutors charged him for obtaining money from others through fraudulent means, adding that security officers in the emirate arrested Mr Abbas 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,” The National quoted 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.”
The news medium also reported that Raymond Abbas is wanted for fraud crimes in Europe, the United States and Nigeria.
However, despite the controversy surrounding the socialite, former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye sharing a post with Hushpuppi, wrote on his official Twitter handle, “the company you keep is not always a reflection of who you are.”
Mr Abbas has over two million followers on Instagram. He is known for his display of wealth on social media.