Hawks facilitate extradition of six Nigerians wanted in US over R100m romance scams

Six Nigerian nationals accused of defrauding more than 100 women in the United States of more than R100 million through online romance scams are being extradited from South Africa to the US.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), in collaboration with Interpol South Africa, would facilitate the extradition of the six men on Friday.

Mogale said the suspects were alleged members of the Black Axe organised criminal network and were wanted by US authorities on charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

"The suspects are alleged to have targeted more than 100 women in the United States, defrauding them of more than R100 million through online romance or love scams," Mogale said.

He said the alleged victims included pensioners and businesspeople who were targeted through sophisticated online relationships before being defrauded of their money.

The six Nigerian nationals were arrested in South Africa in 2021 following a major takedown operation conducted by the Hawks.

Mogale said Interpol South Africa had coordinated the extradition process.

The suspects will be transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport, where they will be handed over to officials from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Secret Service.

The US officials arrived in South Africa on Friday morning, with the formal handover expected to take place in the afternoon.

Mogale said the extradition demonstrated the continued cooperation between South African law enforcement agencies and international law enforcement partners in disrupting transnational organised crime.

The six men are expected to face due legal process in the US over the allegations against them.