Rumours have been swirling on Nigerian social media that convicted internet fraudster Ramon Abbas, widely known as Hushpuppi, has been freed from a United States prison and sent back to Nigeria. However, a detailed fact-check has conclusively debunked these claims, confirming that the Instagram celebrity remains behind bars.
Viral Post Sparks False Release Narrative
The false information originated from a post by an X (formerly Twitter) influencer known as Samsonthegoat25 on Saturday, December 27, 2025. The user claimed that Hushpuppi had been released and deported to Nigeria after his 2022 sentencing, allegedly for good behaviour. The post was accompanied by blurry images appearing to show a man resembling Hushpuppi being handcuffed by INTERPOL officers at an airport.
Despite scepticism from other social media users, the influencer insisted the information was accurate, leading to the claim gaining significant traction online. The notoriety of Hushpuppi, who was sentenced for conspiring to launder tens of millions of dollars from online scams, ensured the rumour spread rapidly.
Official Records Confirm Hushpuppi Remains Incarcerated
Contrary to the viral social media narrative, verification checks reveal a different reality. Information obtained from the United States Federal Bureau of Prisons confirms that Ramon Abbas is still serving his sentence and his scheduled release date is not until March 2029.
Furthermore, no credible news outlets have reported on his release or deportation. Given the global attention on his case, such a significant development would have been widely covered by mainstream media if it were true. The last major report concerning Hushpuppi was from November 2022, when he was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison in Los Angeles.
Origin of the Misleading Images Revealed
A reverse image search on the photos shared by Samsonthegoat25 uncovered their true origin. The images are actually from reports about the arrest of a different individual, Lawrence Folawunmi, at the Lagos International Airport.
According to news publications including The Punch and TVC, Folawunmi was arrested by INTERPOL in connection with a $1.24 million wire fraud case following an extradition request from the US. He has been remanded and is awaiting a hearing scheduled for January 21, 2026. The images circulated online, though blurry, depict this separate arrest, not Hushpuppi's purported deportation.
Hushpuppi's Crime and Ongoing Imprisonment
Ramon Abbas, who flaunted a lavish lifestyle to his millions of Instagram followers, was arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in June 2020 and extradited to the United States. He eventually pleaded guilty to multi-million-dollar fraud charges. US investigators described him as "one of the most prolific money launderers in the world."
One of his most audacious schemes involved an attempt to steal over $1.1 million from an individual seeking to fund a new children's school in Qatar. His sentencing in late 2022 marked a significant conclusion to a high-profile international cybercrime case.
Conclusion: The claim that Hushpuppi has been released from US prison and deported to Nigeria is entirely false. He continues to serve his 11-year sentence and is expected to remain in custody for several more years. The public is advised to rely on official channels and credible news sources for accurate information.
