Six individuals from Nigeria, linked to a criminal network accused of defrauding American women of over $6 million through online romance scams, will be extradited to the U.S. this Friday. They were detained in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2021 and are to face wire fraud and money laundering charges in the U.S.
The suspects are said to be part of a group known as the Black Axe. Interpol has identified these groups as responsible for a large portion of cyber-enabled financial fraud globally, primarily using romance scams and fake investment opportunities.
The extradition happens almost two years after a Black Axe leader was sent to the U.S. for internet scams and money laundering charges. According to South African authorities, these individuals targeted over 100 women in the U.S., using online relationships to scam more than $6 million. Victims included pensioners and businesspeople, showing the level of sophistication in the scam operations.
South African police confirmed, “Through Interpol South Africa’s coordination, the six will today be transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport. They will be handed over to FBI and U.S. Secret Service officials who arrived this morning,” stated police spokesperson Katlego Mogale.
“They are accused of belonging to a criminal network known as the Black Axe, responsible for significant cyber-enabled financial fraud.” – South African police statement
A recent Interpol operation targeting West African crime networks resulted in the arrest of 58 individuals and identified 263 suspects linked to similar crimes. The operation aimed to disrupt money laundering and apprehend offenders. The South African raids included seven sites in Johannesburg tied to scams focused on retirees in English-speaking countries. Authorities seized $2.67 million and froze over 250 bank accounts in this effort.
In 2023, over 64,000 Americans lost over $1 billion to romance scams. This figure doubled from $500 million just four years prior, as reported by the Federal Trade Commission. A CBS News investigation in 2024 highlighted a major scam operation in Ghana. A syndicate leader claiming to be from Ghana even stated that American victims were the easiest targets.