Hushpuppi Release Rumor Debunked: Fact Check Confirms Nigerian Instagram Celebrity Still in U.S. Prison

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A viral claim circulating across social media platforms has falsely alleged that Nigerian Instagram celebrity and convicted fraudster Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, has been released from a United States federal prison and deported back to Nigeria. Fact-checks and official records confirm that the story is completely untrue.

The rumor, which spread rapidly on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and X, claimed that Abbas was freed early due to good behavior and quietly returned to Nigeria after serving part of his sentence. However, multiple verifications show that Hushpuppi remains in U.S. custody and is still serving his jail term.

Ramon Abbas was sentenced in November 2022 to 135 months (11 years and three months) in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to launder hundreds of millions of dollars through large-scale cyber fraud schemes. The crimes included business email compromise operations that targeted companies, schools, and individuals in the United States, Qatar, and other countries. The court also ordered him to pay more than $1.7 million in restitution.

According to the United States Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator, Abbas is currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Fort Dix in New Jersey under Register Number 54313-424. His projected release date, factoring in potential good-time credits, remains between April and August 2029. There is no record of parole, early release, compassionate discharge, or deportation.

Under U.S. law, deportation proceedings for non-citizens convicted of serious crimes can only begin after the completion of their full prison sentence. As such, any claim that Abbas has returned to Nigeria in 2026 is inaccurate.

No official statements have been released by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Bureau of Prisons, Abbas’ legal team, or the Nigerian government to support the viral claims. There has also been no verified announcement from Hushpuppi, his family, or close associates.

The misleading posts follow a familiar pattern, with identical wording repeatedly resurfacing online since 2023. Fact-checkers and Nigerian media organizations have consistently debunked similar rumors, describing them as recycled misinformation designed to drive engagement and exploit public curiosity about the once-flamboyant social media figure.

Hushpuppi’s 2020 arrest in Dubai, extradition to the United States, and high-profile conviction made global headlines and cemented his status as one of the most well-known figures linked to international cybercrime. His notoriety continues to fuel false reports and viral hoaxes.

As of February 10, 2026, Ramon Abbas remains behind bars in the United States and is not expected to return to Nigeria for several more years. The public is advised to verify sensational crime or celebrity-related claims through official sources before sharing them online.