EbonyLife TV and Universal Pictures have received the adaptation rights for Hushpuppi.
Gatekeepers News reports that Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife TV, Universal Pictures, and Will Packer Productions have gotten the adaptation rights for a movie on Internet fraudster, Ramon Abass, also known as Hushpuppi.
The film houses have decided to do a movie on the Hushpuppi based on a Bloomberg story, “The Fall of the Billionaire Gucci Master.”
Following the collection of the adaptation rights for the movie, an untitled action thriller movie project has been set up at Universal Pictures.
“The Fall of the Billionaire Gucci Master” will be based on a Bloomberg story by Evan Ratiff which detailed how Hushpuppi carried out an internet scam and how he was caught by International police.
When the project is ready, Mo Abudu will produce for EbonyLife Studios while Will Packer and James Lopez will produce through their Will Packer Productions.
Will Packer Productions is known for producing popular movies like Girls Trip and Night School.
Will Packer said in a statement, “Ten months ago Mo pitched us a rich and entertaining concept steeped in Nigerian culture that can only be told with the help of her unique perspective. Together we knew Evan’s work was the definitive telling and the perfect anchor of this saga.”
Abudu in her statement added that “We understand the environment of poverty and deprivation that breeds highly talented and fundamentally flawed characters like Hushpuppi, and WPP knows how to create stories with global appeal.”
Hushpuppi’s Arrest
In June 2020, Dubai police arrested Hushpuppi, amid claims of a £350m cyberscam.
During the coordinated early morning raids in an operation comprised of officers from the FBI, Interpol, and Dubai police. Over 150 million dirham (£30 million) was seized from his Dubai apartment and eleven other suspects were detained.
Hushpuppi had attracted millions of followers on Instagram with pictures of a glamorous jet-setting lifestyle.
The Billionaire Gucci master is being detained as part of an investigation into money laundering, cyber fraud, hacking, and scamming.
Investigation disclosed that nearly two million email addresses of victims were found on dozens of phones, computers, and hard drives, adding to more than a dozen luxury cars that were seized in the raid along with suitcases full of cash.