Six Nigerians wanted in US over R100m romance scams extradited from South Africa

Six Nigerian nationals wanted in the United States for allegedly defrauding more than 100 women of over R100 million through online romance scams have been extradited from South Africa.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), working with INTERPOL South Africa, facilitated the extradition of the six men to the US on Friday.

Perry Osagiede, Collins Owhofsa Otughwor, Osariemen Eric Clement, Musa Mudashiri, Franklyn Edosa Osagiede and Prince Ibeabuchi Mark are alleged to be members of the Black Axe organised criminal network.

US authorities are seeking them in connection with charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

According to the Hawks, the suspects allegedly used sophisticated online relationships to target more than 100 women in the US, including pensioners and businesspeople, before defrauding them of their money.

The six were among eight Nigerian nationals arrested in South Africa in 2021 during a major Hawks takedown operation.

The other two suspects were Enorense Izevbiege and Toriseju Gabriel Otubu.

In February 2024, the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court ruled that the alleged members could be extradited to the US.

Izevbiege and Otubu subsequently pursued different legal routes. Izevbiege was extradited to the US, while Otubu was granted R210 000 bail subject to conditions.

The Hawks said the six extradited suspects were transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport, where they were handed over to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Secret Service.

They then embarked on a 16-hour flight to the US.

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

The suspects will now face the legal process in the US over the allegations against them.