South Africa has extradited six Nigerian nationals to the United States over allegations that they defrauded more than 100 women in a $6.2 million online romance scam
The South African Police Service, SAPS, said the suspects are alleged members of the Black Axe criminal network and are wanted by US authorities for wire fraud and money laundering.
The suspects were arrested in South Africa in 2021 following a major operation by the Hawks, the country’s elite investigative unit.
According to SAPS, the suspects allegedly targeted more than 100 women in the US through online romance scams, defrauding them of over R100 million, estimated at about $6.2 million.
“The six Nigerian nationals were arrested in South Africa in 2021, following a major takedown operation conducted by the Hawks/DPCI,” SAPS said.
They were then handed over to officials from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Secret Service.
The extradition comes as Nigerian authorities also intensify cooperation with the US over online fraud cases
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