South African authorities have commenced the extradition of six Nigerian nationals to the United States to face charges arising from an alleged online romance scam which reportedly defrauded more than 100 women of over $6 million.
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The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, popularly known as the Hawks, said the extradition was being coordinated in collaboration with INTERPOL South Africa.
The six men are alleged to be members of the Black Axe organised criminal network and are wanted by United States authorities on charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
According to the South African authorities, the suspects allegedly established sophisticated romantic relationships with their victims online before persuading them to transfer money.
More than 100 women in the United States were reportedly targeted, with the alleged losses estimated at over R100 million, equivalent to more than $6 million.
The alleged victims included pensioners and businesswomen who reportedly believed they were communicating with genuine romantic partners.
The six Nigerians were arrested in Cape Town in 2021 during a major operation conducted by the Hawks in collaboration with United States law-enforcement agencies.
South African authorities said the suspects would be transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport, where they would be handed over to FBI and United States Secret Service officials.
“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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service, who arrived in South Africa this morning,” the Hawks said.
The agency said the extradition demonstrated continuing cooperation between South African and international law-enforcement authorities in combating transnational organised crime.
“This extradition demonstrates the continued cooperation between South African law-enforcement agencies and international law-enforcement partners in disrupting transnational organised crime and ensuring that suspects wanted in other jurisdictions face due legal process,” it added.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned in the United States following their arrival. The allegations against them have not been proved in court, and they remain presumed innocent until convicted.
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