Five Nigerians Face 100 Years for US Fraud Charges

Five Nigerians based in South Africa were extradited to the United States on September 11, facing a maximum of 100 years in prison for conspiracy charges related to wire fraud and money laundering. The defendants, identified as Perry Osagiede (57), Franklyn Edosa Osagiede (42), Osariemen Eric Clement (40), Collins Owhofasa Otughwor (42), and Musa Mudashiru (38), were arrested in Cape Town in 2021 at the request of US authorities.

They allegedly defrauded American women of more than $6 million through online romance scams from 2011 to 2021. US Attorney Robert Frazer stated that the defendants were leaders of Black Axe, an organization headquartered in Benin City, Nigeria, with operations in various countries.

Perry Osagiede is alleged to have founded the Cape Town Zone of Black Axe. The defendants used social media and online dating platforms to deceive victims into sending money, sometimes threatening them with sensitive photographs.

They also laundered proceeds through US-based bank accounts and business entities.