🎙️Episode 17: Influencer Scam Era Series Pt. 3- Ramon Abbas: The Billionaire Gucci Master

Ramon Abbas, better known as Hushpuppi, flaunted wealth like it was a full-time job. From Gucci robes and private jets to Richard Mille watches and luxury penthouses, he sold a rags-to-riches story that captured millions online. But behind the clout was an international web of fraud, deception, and staggering financial crimes.This week on Black Coffee, Crime & Crochet, Jasmine breaks down how Hushpuppi went from Lagos street hustler to Instagram icon and global cybercriminal. We dig into the four major scams he was involved in, how the FBI tracked him through his social media posts, and what his downfall reveals about online flex culture and digital fraud.Pull up with your iced coffee. We're talking wealth, wire fraud, and what it means when internet fame is built on a lie.This Week’s Blend:Iced Coffee of the Week: The Fraudulent FlexThe “Fraudulent Flex” Iced Coffee1 cup of cold brew (strong enough to handle drama)½ cup of oat milk or whatever milk you love1 tablespoon brown sugar syrupA dash of vanilla extractA splash of heavy cream or coconut cream on topShake it over ice and pour into your cutest tumblerOptional: sprinkle a little cinnamon or edible gold dust if you’re feeling Hushpuppi-level extra. Sip slow. Side-eye faster.Crochet Project of the Week: A very special update!In This Episode:The early life of Ramon Abbas and the “Yahoo Boy” scammer subcultureHow Hushpuppi built an influencer persona through wealth and statusDetailed breakdowns of four major frauds, including:$14.7M Maltese bank heist$124M scam attempt on a UK Premier League team$922K law firm scam$15M fake Qatari school loan conDubai’s Fox Hunt 2 raid and FBI extraditionHow his IG trail led to a federal convictionCommentary on scam culture, clout chasing, and consequencesSip or Spill:Would you get a loan if the loan officer told you there was an upfront fee?Support & Connect with BC³:Instagram, FB & TikTok: @blackcoffeecrimecrochetPatreon: HEREFacebook Discussion Group: Join here Sources Used for This Episode:U.S. Department of Justice press releases (justice.gov)FBI Criminal Complaint: United States v. Ramon Olorunwa AbbasForbes: “How Instagram Star Hushpuppi Was Arrested”CNN International: Coverage on Fox Hunt 2Bloomberg: Reports on global BEC fraudBBC Africa: Analysis on Nigerian scam culture and youth unemploymentYouTube documentaries and breakdowns (e.g. Wondery’s Scamfluencers, BBC Africa Eye)Court transcripts and filings via PACERInterpol and Dubai Police official statementsArchived IG posts via Wayback Machine and news screenshots