Six Nigerians extradited to US over alleged $6m online romance scam

Six Nigerian nationals linked to the Black Axe criminal network were extradited from South Africa to the United States on Friday. They face charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

South African police allege the men targeted more than 100 women in the US and defrauded them of over $6m through online romance scams. The alleged victims included pensioners and businesspeople.

The handover was facilitated by South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, with Interpol South Africa. At Cape Town International Airport, the men were transferred to officials from the FBI and the US Secret Service.

Arrests followed in 2021

The men were arrested in Cape Town in 2021. They are accused of belonging to Black Axe, which Interpol describes as one of the criminal networks responsible for a significant share of cyber-enabled financial fraud, including romance, cryptocurrency and investment scams.

Police spokesperson Katlego Mogale said US officials had arrived in South Africa that morning before the transfer.

Interpol operation in West Africa

Interpol said last month that an operation targeting organised crime groups in West Africa had led to 58 arrests and the identification of 263 suspects linked to networks involved in similar offences.

The operation focused on disrupting money laundering, identifying high-value targets, seizing assets and supporting arrests and prosecutions.

In South Africa, authorities searched seven locations in Johannesburg linked to a syndicate running romance and investment scams against retirees in English-speaking countries. Interpol said police arrested 39 people, seized $2.67m and froze more than 250 bank accounts.