Home / Crime and Justice / South Africa Extradites Six Nigerians in Major Romance Scam Case
South Africa Extradites Six Nigerians in Major Romance Scam Case
11 Sep
Summary
- Six Nigerians were handed over to the FBI for online romance scams.
- The group allegedly defrauded over 100 women of more than $6 million.
- Suspects are believed to be members of the notorious Black Axe syndicate.
Six Nigerian nationals accused of orchestrating large-scale online romance scams have been extradited from South Africa to the United States. South African police transferred the individuals to FBI agents on Friday, September 11, 2026. The accused are alleged to have defrauded more than 100 women across the US, amounting to over $6 million (100 million South African Rand).
The group, apprehended in 2021, is suspected of being part of the Black Axe syndicate, a Nigerian organized crime group linked to human trafficking and internet fraud. Authorities indicated that victims included pensioners and businesspeople who were manipulated through fabricated online relationships. The suspects were transported from a Cape Town correctional facility to the airport for their handover to US officials, where they will face wire fraud and money-laundering charges.
