Hushpuppi stated that he only gained $300,000 from the crimes, and that he would refund $1.7 million in reparation to those who fell for his deceptive tactics.
Ramon Abass, alias Hushpuppi, a well-known Instagram big boy from Nigeria who has committed fraud, has claimed to have reformed and is appealing for mercy before being sentenced.
Hushpuppi begged trial judge Otis Wright of the US Central District of California to tamper with justice with mercy in a handwritten letter before his sentence in November.
He sent the judge a tearful letter on September 9 when he was being held in McFarland, California’s Central Valley Annex Prison.
The three-page letter was one of the legal filings his attorneys have made so far, pleading with the judge to reduce his sentence from the range determined under the statute.
Hushpuppi stated that he only gained $300,000 from the crimes, and that he would refund $1.7 million in reparation to those who fell for his deceptive tactics.
“Your Honour, I totally recognise the seriousness of my offence and no amount of sorry can right my wrong in the hearts of the victims and this is why I have decided to use my personal money to offset all of the entire $1,700,000 restitution even though I only benefited a fraction of $300,000 plus but it makes me feel better that all the victims get every of their penny back,” he wrote.
He added: “I personally consider it as part punishment for myself and it’s the right thing to do. Your Honour, I really am a changed person in the way I think, see life and make decisions.
“My priorities in life has (sic) changed, my focus in life has shifted, I have realised how precious life and freedom is and how important it is to be on the right side of the law.
“Your Honour, I will like to plead with you to see my act of forfeiting my properties that I worked hard for, for many years, for full restitution repayment as part punishment as well.”
Since his arrest in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and extradition to the US in June 2020, the Nigerian has been held without charge.