In the days of his power, he was the Instagram playboy prince, rolling around the plush streets of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in some of the most exotic cars money can buy, sharing motivational quotes and mocking as “broke” the irreverent among those who flocked to his Instagram page.
All that ended for Ramon “Hushpuppi” Abass in 2020 when the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in collaboration with the Dubai Police, arrested him in his princely Pallazo Versace hotel room alongside others. He was flown to the United States, where he remained until his trial and eventual conviction.
Hushpuppi, 40, was sentenced to 11 years in prison by United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II, who also ordered Abbas to pay $1,732,841 in restitution to two fraud victims. It’s been two years of legal tango, with the Nigerian changing his attorney at some point.
He had pleaded guilty to one count charge of engaging in money laundering last year.
A sentence of 25 years was initially thought to await him for his crimes. But he had been of good behaviour while in prison, and his attorney was able to secure a reduced sentence.
He has already served two years in prison, which means, technically, he’d now have to spend just nine years more to be free.
