Rita Assane and Dwight Baines, both U.S. citizens in Florida, and Michael Hermann, an Ivory Coast national also based in Florida. Each used shell companies — KLAM Entertainment LLC, Baines Properties LLC, and Topslope Ventures LLC, respectively — to launder illicit proceeds.Among the identified victims, “Company A” reportedly lost $459,264, and “Company B” lost $100,879 in 2020 alone. The group allegedly tricked customers into making payments to fake accounts, citing changes in payment policies due to COVID-19.In Nigeria, Classic Baggie maintained the image of a thriving young entrepreneur with interests in real estate, car dealerships, and entertainment — all under the umbrella of his Baggie Groups conglomerate.
Numerous media reports described him as a generous philanthropist known for giving back to society.He was also known to associate with Ramon Abbas (Hushpuppi), another convicted Nigerian fraudster sentenced in the U.S. to 11 years for similar crimes.
Following the indictment, Classic Baggie has virtually disappeared from public view.His Instagram handle, @classicbaggie, is inactive, and his once-associated account, Baggieexchangegroup, now shares random content on luxury homes and vehicles, boasting over 38,000 followers.The court document states: “Members of Classic Baggie’s criminal network are charged in the Indictment with laundering proceeds of Internet fraud schemes, to include Business Email Compromise (BEC) and Romance fraud Scheme.”
Prosecution Challenges
Though indicted, Classic Baggie has not been arrested or prosecuted — likely because he resides in Lagos, beyond the immediate jurisdiction of U.S. authorities.
Cross-border fraud cases often involve complex legal and diplomatic hurdles. While indictments can be issued in absentia, actual prosecution requires the physical presence of the accused in court, as mandated by the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to confront one’s accusers.When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware said it had “no details to share” at this time regarding Mr. Oluwaseun’s case.
The U.S. has previously pursued extraditions for cyber fraud suspects. In December 2024, Abiola Kayode, a Nigerian arrested in Ghana, was extradited to Nebraska. Nigeria has an existing extradition treaty with the U.S., signed in 1931, and has handed over several suspects over the years.In 2023, Samuel and Samson Ogoshi were extradited from Nigeria to face charges in Michigan for sexually extorting teenagers.
In 2022, Fatade Olamilekan was extradited to face a $3.5 million fraud charge after appearing on the FBI’s wanted list.However, extradition from Nigeria can be slow and politically sensitive. If not pursued, suspects like Classic Baggie may remain free locally, though they face international travel restrictions and potential legal consequences abroad.Until then, Classic Baggie remains untried, his whereabouts uncertain, and justice — at least from the U.S. court system — still pending.
