South Africa extradites six Nigerians linked to Black Axe cyberfraud syndicate to the U.S.

Africa, Crime Diary

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (NPA) — South Africa has extradited six Nigerian nationals suspected of belonging to the Black Axe organised crime network to the United States, where they are wanted over alleged wire fraud and money laundering offences.

South Africa’s elite Hawks police unit said on Friday that the six men were suspected of involvement in online romance scams and cyberfraud targeting more than 100 women in the United States.

According to the police, the suspects allegedly defrauded their victims of more than $6.2 million, with those targeted including pensioners and businesspeople.

Advertisement

The six Nigerians were arrested in South Africa in 2021 following an investigation into their alleged activities.

The Hawks said the suspects were handed over to officials of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Secret Service on Friday afternoon at Cape Town International Airport.

The suspects are wanted by U.S. authorities on charges including wire fraud and money laundering.

The Black Axe network originated from a student fraternity known as the Neo Black Movement of Africa in the late 1970s. It has since been accused by law enforcement agencies of evolving into a structured organised crime network involved in financial and cyber-related crimes.

The extradition comes amid intensified international efforts against suspected members of the group.

Earlier this year, other individuals suspected of links to Black Axe were arrested in Switzerland and Spain as authorities continued to target the network’s alleged transnational operations.