Six Nigerians Extradited for $6M Romance Scam

Six Nigerians, accused of defrauding more than 100 women in the United States of about $6 million (over N8 billion) through online romance scams, were extradited from South Africa to the United States on Friday. This extradition occurs amid rising diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa, with Nigeria's National Assembly suspending all official visits to South Africa due to ongoing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

The suspects, arrested in 2021, are believed to be members of Black Axe, an organized crime syndicate involved in internet fraud. South Africa’s elite Hawks police unit reported that the suspects targeted pensioners and businesspeople, drawing them into fake online relationships before defrauding them.

Colonel Katlego Mogale stated that the suspects were transferred from a correctional facility in Cape Town to the airport and handed over to FBI and United States Secret Service officials. They are expected to face charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

Black Axe has been under investigation by international law enforcement for years, with multiple operations leading to arrests and seizures.