Six Nigerians Extradited to US Over Alleged $6.2 Million Romance Scam Targeting American Women

Six Nigerian nationals have been extradited from South Africa to the United States to face federal charges over an alleged online romance-scam operation that prosecutors say defrauded more than 100 American women of over $6 million.

The suspects were handed over to US authorities at Cape Town International Airport on Friday after being arrested in South Africa in 2021.

South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, said the six men are wanted in the United States on charges including wire fraud and money laundering.

American authorities allege that the men were members of the Black Axe organised crime network and participated in sophisticated online romance scams.

According to South African police, the alleged operation targeted more than 100 women in the United States, including pensioners and businesspeople.

The suspects allegedly built relationships with victims online before using those relationships to obtain money through fraudulent schemes.

The total alleged losses were put at more than $6.2 million, equivalent to more than 100 million South African rand.

The six men were arrested in Cape Town in 2021 following an investigation into the alleged network.

They were transferred into the custody of officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Secret Service before being transported to the United States to face the charges.

The case highlights the increasingly international nature of online financial fraud, with criminal investigations often spanning several countries.

US authorities have increasingly targeted West African-linked cybercrime networks accused of using romance scams, investment fraud, cryptocurrency schemes and other forms of online deception to steal money from victims.

Interpol has described Black Axe as a criminal network involved in cyber-enabled financial fraud, although the suspects in this case remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court.

The extradition also comes at a sensitive moment in relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

Nigeria’s National Assembly has separately suspended official parliamentary engagements with South Africa over recurring attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants. However, that decision does not amount to a suspension of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The extradition case itself involves cooperation between South African and US law-enforcement authorities.

South African authorities said the six suspects will now face proceedings in the United States.

The case is expected to draw further attention to the growing use of online relationships to facilitate financial fraud and the international efforts being made to identify and prosecute alleged perpetrators.

Key Facts

• Six Nigerian nationals have been extradited from South Africa to the United States.

• They were arrested in Cape Town in 2021.

• US authorities accuse them of wire fraud and money laundering.

• More than 100 American women were allegedly targeted.

• The alleged losses exceed $6.2 million.

• Some alleged victims were pensioners and businesspeople.

• South African authorities allege the suspects were linked to the Black Axe organised crime network.

• The suspects have not been convicted and will face the US justice system.