South Africa extradites six Nigerians to US over $6.2m romance scam

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

South African authorities on Friday extradited six Nigerian nationals to the United States, where they are wanted to face charges of wire fraud and money laundering over an alleged online romance scam that reportedly defrauded more than 100 American women of over $6 million.

The six men, who were arrested in Cape Town in 2021, were alleged by South African authorities to be members of the Black Axe organised criminal network.

They were handed over to officials from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Secret Service at Cape Town International Airport for transportation to the US.

According to South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, the suspects allegedly used sophisticated online relationships to target victims in the United States.

The alleged victims included pensioners and business people who were reportedly persuaded to send money after being led to believe they were involved in genuine romantic relationships.

South African police said the alleged scheme resulted in losses exceeding 100 million South African rand, equivalent to about $6.2 million. More than 100 women were reportedly targeted.

The extradition was coordinated by Interpol South Africa, with American law enforcement agencies involved in receiving the suspects.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the men were transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to the airport before being handed over to the US authorities.

The case dates back to investigations that led to the arrests in 2021. US authorities have alleged that the suspects were involved in a broader international criminal enterprise that used online identities and fraudulent schemes to obtain money from victims.

US court documents in a related prosecution describe alleged activities involving romance scams, advance-fee schemes, business email compromise and money laundering.

The US Department of Justice has previously said that members of the alleged network operated from Cape Town and used social media, dating websites and other online platforms to contact victims.

The extradition follows a South African High Court decision earlier this year that cleared the way for the six Nigerians to be sent to the United States.

The court ruled that the alleged conduct could constitute offences under South African law, satisfying the principle of “double criminality” required for extradition.

The case is part of a wider international effort against organised cyber-enabled financial crime. Interpol said a recent operation targeting organised crime groups linked to West Africa resulted in 58 arrests and the identification of 263 suspects involved in various forms of financial crime.

South African authorities have also recently targeted another syndicate allegedly involved in romance and investment scams. Interpol said a crackdown in Johannesburg resulted in 39 arrests, the seizure of about $2.67 million and the freezing of more than 250 bank accounts.

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