Six Nigerian nationals linked by authorities to an organized network that allegedly swindled American women out of more than $6 million through online romance scams are set to be extradited to the United States on Friday, according to South African police, as reported by Headline USA (adapted from the Associated Press).
Extradition from Cape Town
Police said the men were arrested in Cape Town in 2021 and are expected to be handed to U.S. officials to face wire fraud and money laundering charges. South African police allege the group targeted more than 100 women in the United States, including pensioners and businesspeople, using sophisticated online relationships.
“Through the coordination of Interpol South Africa, the six will today be transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport, where they will be handed over to officials from the FBI and the United States Secret Service, who arrived in South Africa this morning,” police spokesperson Katlego Mogale said.
Alleged ties to ‘Black Axe’
Authorities accuse the men of belonging to a criminal network known as Black Axe. Interpol describes Black Axe as part of criminal groups responsible for a significant share of the world’s cyber‑enabled financial fraud, typically involving romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and investment cons.
Wider crackdown cited by Interpol
Interpol said last month that a recent operation targeting West African organized crime groups led to 58 arrests and the identification of 263 suspects linked to similar crimes. The effort sought to disrupt money laundering, identify high‑value targets, seize assets, and support arrests and prosecution.
In South Africa, authorities raided seven Johannesburg locations tied to a syndicate running romance and investment scams aimed at retirees in English‑speaking countries, Interpol said. That operation resulted in 39 arrests, the seizure of about $2.67 million, and the freezing of more than 250 bank accounts, according to Interpol.
