Six Nigerians extradited to US over alleged $6 million romance scam

Six Nigerian nationals accused of belonging to the Black Axe organised crime network have been extradited from South Africa to the United States over an alleged romance scam operation.

According to authorities, the Nigerian nationals defrauded more than 100 American women of over Sh775 million ($6 million).

The suspects were arrested in Cape Town in 2021 following a major investigation by South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks. 

They were handed over to U.S. authorities at Cape Town International Airport on Friday, September 11.

The six men are wanted in the United States on charges including wire fraud and money laundering. 

South African authorities allege they were members of Black Axe, a Nigerian-origin organised criminal network that INTERPOL has linked to cyber-enabled financial crimes, including romance, cryptocurrency and investment scams.

The suspects allegedly used sophisticated online relationships to deceive more than 100 women in the United States and obtain their money. 

Among those targeted were pensioners and businesspeople, who were allegedly drawn into relationships before being defrauded.

The suspects were transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to the airport, where they were handed over to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service.

They were then expected to travel to the United States to face prosecution. 

The extradition is part of a wider international effort to dismantle organised cybercrime networks operating across borders. 

INTERPOL recently reported an operation targeting West African organised crime groups that resulted in 58 arrests and the identification of 263 suspects connected to various criminal networks.

South Africa has also intensified action against similar fraud operations. 

In a separate operation in Johannesburg, authorities raided seven locations allegedly linked to a syndicate running romance and investment scams targeting retirees in English-speaking countries. 

Police arrested 39 people, seized about Sh335 million ($2.67 million) and froze more than 250 bank accounts.

The case highlights the increasingly international nature of online financial crime, with alleged perpetrators, victims and criminal proceeds often spread across several countries.

The six men remain accused rather than convicted and their extradition will allow U.S. authorities to pursue the criminal charges against them through the American justice system.