A United States District Court for the Central District of California has finally sentenced Hushpuppi, an Instagram celebrity, to 11 years and three months in prison for fraud, glamsquad reports.
On Monday, November 7, the 40-year-old was sentenced by United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II, who also ordered Abbas to pay $1,732,841 in restitution to two fraud victims.
Hushpuppi, according to the judge, conspired to launder tens of millions of dollars through online scams while flaunting his luxurious, crime-funded lifestyle on social media.
He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering in April 2021, ten months after being arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), in June 2020.
Hushpuppi has been held in federal custody in the United States since his expulsion from the UAE.
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According to a statement issued by the US court:
“Abbas boasted on social media about his lavish lifestyle – a lifestyle funded by his participation in transnational fraud and money laundering conspiracies targeting victims all over the world,” said US Attorney Martin Estrada.
“Money laundering and business email compromise scams are major international crimes, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement and international partners to identify and prosecute those involved, wherever they may be.”
“Ramon Abbas, a.k.a. ‘Hushpuppi,’ targeted both American and international victims, becoming one of the world’s most prolific money launderers,” Don Alway, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said.
“Abbas used his social media platforms to gain notoriety and brag about the enormous wealth he amassed by conducting business email compromise scams, online bank heists, and other cyber-enabled fraud that financially ruined scores of victims and aided the North Korean regime.”
“This significant sentence is the result of years of collaboration among law enforcement in multiple countries and should serve as a clear warning to international fraudsters that the FBI will seek justice for victims whether criminals operate within or outside US borders.”
In a handwritten note to Judge Otis D Wright, Abbas apologized for his crimes and promised to repay his victims with personal funds. He also claimed to have only made $300,000 from the crime for which he was being tried.