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Six Nigerians Nigerians accused of romance scams to be extradited to the US
BBC • • nation
Key Points:
- South African police are extraditing six Nigerians to the US who are wanted for online romance scams that defrauded over 100 American women of more than 100 million rand ($6 million).
- The suspects, arrested in 2021, are believed to be members of the Black Axe crime syndicate, a Nigerian mafia-style group involved in human trafficking, internet fraud, and murder.
- Victims included pensioners and businesspeople targeted through sophisticated online relationships to steal money, according to South Africa's Hawks police unit.
- Upon arrival in the US, the group will face wire fraud and money laundering charges and will be handed over to the FBI and US Secret Service.
- Black Axe operates globally with a violent reputation, and law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Interpol, have conducted multiple operations against the syndicate, resulting in numerous arrests and seizures of assets.
